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HB 608 · 2025 · House · Election Law Committee

Notarized absentee ballot affidavits

AI-generated

requiring moderators to inspect absentee ballot affidavits for full execution including use of a notary, election officer, or any person authorized by law to administer oaths.

Requires the affidavit on an absentee ballot envelope to be a fully executed legal affidavit witnessed and signed by a notary, election officer, or other person authorized by law to administer oaths, verifying the voter's identity and signature.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 26, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires moderators to inspect absentee ballot affidavits for full execution using a notary, election officer, or any person authorized by law to administer oaths.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Sandra PanekRPrime
  • Rep. Mike DragoRMajority Whip
  • Rep. Katelyn KuttabRClerk· Judiciary
  • Rep. Lisa MazurRVice Chair· Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Also: Rep. Kristine PerezR, Rep. John SellersR, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR

Public testimony

589 signed in online · 137 wrote testimony

2% support98% oppose0% neutral

ForStrengthens verification of absentee ballots

AgainstGeneral objection: unnecessary barrier to voting

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This bills returns absentee ballots to the original intent of execution. Thank you for passing this bill.”
— Carol Petrusewicz, Rochestersupports
“This would strengthen the verification process for absentee ballots”
— Steve Frechette, Nashuasupports
“I am writing to oppose HB608 and urge you to vote NO. Requiring a notary or election official to sign the affidavit envelope would effectively eliminate the ability of many voters who qualify for voting by abenstee ballot to successfully cast a ballot.…”
— Judy Strakalaitis, Derry · Derry Supervisors of the Checklistopposes
“We should assist votes in exercising their right and responsibility to vote. Please OPPOSE this bill. Thank you.”
— Cora QUISUMBING-KING, Doveropposes
“As an election clerk in my town of Bedford, which is the largest voting precinct in our state, I oppose the additional work and burden this bill would place on our moderator.…”
— Barbara Salvatore, Bedfordopposes

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
  • Feb 11, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendarCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 26, 2025HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 4, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law5:50:34–5:53:142m 40slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 11, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law2:00:19–2:01:451m 26slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Mar 7, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law3:12:23–3:17:064m 43slocated in the stream transcriptSubcommittee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Mar 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 3 P. 18
  2. Feb 4, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2025 03:20 pm LOB 306-308
  3. Feb 11, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/11/2025 10:10 am LOB 306-308
  4. Feb 14, 2025House==CANCELLED== Subcommittee Work Session: 02/14/2025 09:30 am LOB 306-308
  5. Mar 7, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 03/07/2025 01:00 pm LOB 306-308
  6. Mar 7, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/07/2025 01:00 pm LOB 306-308
  7. Feb 11, 2025House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/11/2025 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 17 P. 14
  8. Mar 26, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 22

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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