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SB 213 · 2025 · Senate · Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee

Public employee electioneering and voter ID

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to electioneering by public employees and relative to absentee voting.

Defines and restricts electioneering activities by public employees while on duty and requires absentee ballot applicants to present proof of identity, citizenship, age, and domicile.AI-generated

Status

Vetoed; the override vote failed, so the veto stands · October 23, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✕Governor
  5. Law

Governor's veto message

“By the authority vested in me, pursuant to part II, Article 44 of the New Hampshire Constitution, on August 1, 2025, I have vetoed Senate Bill 213, relative to electioneering by public employees and relative to absentee voting.”
— Gov. Kelly Ayotte · Aug 1, 2025 · excerpt
Governor's press releaseSenate Journal 18

The Senate voted 0–24 on the override (Oct 23, 2025) — short of the two-thirds required, so the veto was sustained.

Analysis

This bill changes the standard for absentee voting to "It is more likely than not" that a voter will be absent. This bill also requires the presentation of proof of identity, citizenship, age, and domicile when applying for an absentee ballot.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. James GrayRPrimeChair· Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Public testimony

387 signed in online · 77 wrote testimony

1% support99% oppose0% neutral

AgainstNew documentation/notarization burdens elderly and disabled voters

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am asking representatives yo stop making everything so hard for the handicap and seniors. Please do not pass this bill”
— Cynthia Bliss-Hayford, Winchestersupports
“No one should have to provide a reason for an absentee ballot. We need to make sure we make it easier for people to vote, not harder.”
— Megan Kilar, Candiasupports
“The requirement to have an absentee ballot notarized is an unnecessary burden, as is proof of citizenship for already registered voters.”
— Cindy Kudlik, Graftonopposes
“We are a Democracy. We should not be restricting people's right to vote by continually adding obstacles to people's ability to vote. I strongly oppose SB213.”
— sue vatnick, Madisonopposes
“Come now. If I need to be out of town, as I often am for business, I should merely be able to provide y NH driver's lic. for proof. Again, you are making this more difficult for everyone. Vote NO Why are you all creating laws and raising taxes on EVERYONE.…”
— Ann Heffernon, Swanzeyopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-02-049:15 amSenate Election Law and Municipal AffairsLOB 103Public hearing
  • 2025-04-2210:00 amHouse Election LawLOB 306-308Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-04-2910:00 amHouse Election LawLOB 306-308Public hearingcancelled
  • 2025-05-2710:10 amHouse Election LawLOB 306-308Public hearing

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, 10:00 am; SC 8
  3. Mar 13, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/13/2025, Vote 3-2; SC 12
  4. Mar 13, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/13/2025; SJ 7
  5. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 11 P. 113
  6. Apr 22, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/22/2025 02:00 pm LOB 306-308
  7. Apr 29, 2025House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 04/29/2025 10:00 am LOB 306-308
  8. May 27, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 05/27/2025 10:00 am LOB 306-308
  9. May 27, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2461h (NT) 05/27/2025 (Vote 10-7; RC) HC 27 P. 18
  10. May 28, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  11. Jun 5, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-2461h (NT): AA DV 181-141 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 123
  12. Jun 5, 2025HouseFLAM # 2025-2688h (Rep. Berry): AA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 124
  13. Jun 5, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-2461h and 2025-2688h: MA DV 189-148 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 124
  14. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Gray Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C, MA, VV; (In Recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  15. Jun 5, 2025SenPresident Appoints: Senators Gray, Lang, Perkins Kwoka; (In Recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  16. Jun 5, 2025HouseHouse Accedes to Senate Request for CofC (Rep. Kofalt): MA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 172
  17. Jun 5, 2025HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Berry, Qualey, Burnham, Toner 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 172
  18. Jun 16, 2025Sen==RECESSED== Committee of Conference Meeting: 06/16/2025, 09:11 am, Room 103, SH
  19. Jun 18, 2025Sen==RECONVENE== Committee of Conference Meeting: 06/18/2025, 09:01 am, Room 103, SH
  20. Jun 18, 2025SenConferee Change; Senator Rochefort Replaces Senator Perkins Kwoka; SJ 17
  21. Jun 18, 2025HouseConference Committee Report # 2025-2827c Filed 06/18/2025; House Amendment + New Amendment HJ 17
  22. Jun 26, 2025HouseConference Committee Report 2025-2827c: Adopted, DV 197-170 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 4
  23. Jun 26, 2025SenConference Committee Report # 2025-2827c, Adopted, VV; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
  24. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2925e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 61
  25. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2925e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  26. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 64
  27. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  28. Aug 1, 2025SenVetoed by Governor 08/01/2025
  29. Oct 23, 2025SenNotwithstanding the Governor's Veto, Shall SB 213 Become Law: RC 0Y-24N, Veto Sustained, lacking the necessary two-thirds vote; 10/23/2025; SJ 18

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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