HB 514 · 2025 · House · Election Law Committee

Private lawsuits over election violations

allowing private persons to sue for violations of election laws.

Creates a process allowing private individuals harmed by violations of the state's election laws to file complaints with the attorney general and, if unresolved, seek injunctive relief in superior court, including as a class action.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · May 8, 2025

✓Introduced
✓House
✕Senate
Governor
Law

Analysis

This bill allows for private parties to sue the state for violations of RSA 659.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“"Agency" means all departments, boards, offices, commissions, institutions, other instrumentalities of state government, including any official or employee of same when acting in the scope of his or her elected or appointed capacity, but excluding political subdivisions of the state.”

RSA 546-D:1

“Persons harmed by violations of RSA 659 shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief through a formal complaint with the New Hampshire department of justice or the superior courts.”

RSA 546-D:2

“If, under RSA 546-D:2, the department of justice fails to respond within 5 business days, if the claimant files their complaint within 15 days of an election, or if the claimant finds that the department's response is insufficient, the claimant may file an additional complaint in superior court seeking injunctive relief.”

RSA 546-D:3

“When a claim filed pursuant to this chapter is against both the state and an agent, official or employee of the state, the superior court shall determine whether the state is responsible for the actions of the agent, employee or official.”

RSA 546-D:4

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Public testimony

298 signed in online · 58 wrote testimony

3% support97% oppose0% neutral

ForPrivate lawsuits as a legitimate voting-rights enforcement tool

AgainstExposes poll workers and volunteers to intimidation and legal liability

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Vote NO to allowing private persons to sue for violations of election laws.”

— Maura McManus, Somersworthsupports

“Through federal legislation, the Bill of Rights, judicial rulings, and the state constitution, both the federal and state governments have proven a strict adherence to voting rights. RSA 659 serves as no exception.…”

— Taylor Barry, Nashuasupports

“I write to express strong opposition to HB514. The Supervisors of the Checklist in Derry rely on Assistant Supervisors who volunteer to register qualified citizens to vote on election days. In presidential elections, more than 2,300 Derry residents register at the polls.…”

— Judy Strakalaitis, Derry · Derry Supervisors of the Checklistopposes

“I oppose HB514 because it would allow private persons to sue for violations of election laws which could lead to intimidation of election workers. What a waste of time and money this bill would cause if passed. Would there be consequences to the individuals who sued and lost???…”

— Douglas Carmel, Exeteropposes

“I believe the passage of this bill allowing private citizens to sue would leave our elections open to the whim of personal agenda.”

— Virginia Daschbach, Exeteropposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay

Starting text: Bill as introduced

Mar 11, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass10–7
Overall
59% yea
Mar 26, 2025HouseDivisionOught to PassAdopted186–152
Overall
55% yea
May 8, 2025SenateCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate5–0
Overall
100% yea
May 8, 2025SenateVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

Mar 4, 2025Public hearingHouse Election LawWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamPublic Hearing
Mar 11, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law11:44–16:455m 1slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Executive Session
Mar 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floor1:05:59–1:06:4849slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, division 186-152
Apr 29, 2025Public hearingSenate Judiciary22:01–27:535m 52slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
May 8, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; Inexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 3 P. 13
Mar 4, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 03/04/2025 11:40 am LOB 306-308
Mar 11, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/11/2025 09:00 am LOB 306-308
Mar 11, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 03/11/2025 (Vote 10-7; RC) HC 17 P. 29
Mar 17, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
Mar 26, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA DV 186-152 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 56
Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 10
Apr 29, 2025SenHearing: 04/29/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 19
May 8, 2025SenCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; 05/08/2025; SC 20
May 8, 2025SenInexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 05/08/2025; SJ 12

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Introducedversion

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.