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SB 212 · 2025 · Senate · Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee

Changing 'votes' to 'ballots' in law

AI-generated

changing references from "votes" to "ballots" in the laws regarding elections.

Changes references from "votes" to "ballots" throughout election law.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 18, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill changes references from "votes" to "ballots" in election law. This bill is a request of the secretary of state.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“Any candidate for whom a vote was cast for any office at a state general election may apply for a recount, provided that the difference between the votes cast for the applying candidate and a candidate declared elected is less than 20 percent of the total ballots [votes] cast in the towns which comprise the office to be recounted.”
RSA 660:1
“If more than one candidate for the same office in the same district applies for a recount under this chapter, and a recount is completed, such applications shall not result in a second recount. 102:7 Elections;”
RSA 660:3
“The clerk shall notify each of the candidates for the office for which there is to be a recount at least 3 days prior to the day appointed for the recount of ballots.”
RSA 669:31
“The application shall be made in writing to the secretary of state and shall be submitted no later than the Friday following the election.”
RSA 660:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. David RochefortRPrimeChair· Health and Human Services

Rep. Katherine Prudhomme-O'BrienR

Public testimony

4 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

50% support50% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 4, 2025Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs1:08:42–1:10:181m 36slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0393s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-0393s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-0393s — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 22, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law3:28:42–3:36:568m 14slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1695h; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • May 1, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1695h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-1695h — adopted, voice vote
  • May 8, 2025Floor debateSenate floor22:05–22:5146slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Gray Moved to Concur with the House Amendment — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 5, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 3
  2. Feb 4, 2025SenHearing: 02/04/2025, Room 103, LOB, 09:45 am; SC 8
  3. Mar 6, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0393s, 03/06/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
  4. Mar 6, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-0393s, AA, VV; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
  5. Mar 6, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-0393s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
  6. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 11 P. 113
  7. Apr 22, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/22/2025 10:20 am LOB 306-308
  8. Apr 22, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 04/22/2025 10:20 am LOB 306-308
  9. Apr 29, 2025House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 04/29/2025 10:00 am LOB 306-308
  10. Apr 22, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1695h 04/22/2025 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 22 P. 7
  11. May 1, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-1695h: AA VV 05/01/2025 HJ 13 P. 3
  12. May 1, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1695h: MA VV 05/01/2025 HJ 13 P. 3
  13. May 8, 2025SenSen. Gray Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
  14. Jun 5, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 167
  15. Jun 5, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  16. Jun 17, 2025SenSigned by the Governor on 06/17/2025; Chapter 0102; Effective 06/17/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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