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SB 287 · 2025 · Senate · Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee

Photo ID for absentee ballots

AI-generated

requiring applicants for absentee ballots to present a copy of their photo identification with their application.

Requires absentee ballot applicants to verify their identity before receiving a ballot, either by submitting a copy of photo identification, providing a notarized signature on the application, or presenting identification in person to the clerk.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill requires applicants for absentee ballots to present a copy of their photo identification with their application or present a notarized application before receiving an absentee ballot.

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

“Every applicant for an absentee ballot shall provide verification before being issued an absentee ballot.”
RSA 657:17-c
“No absentee ballot shall be issued unless one of the verification methods under paragraph I has been satisfied. 302:2 Effective Date.”
RSA 657:17-c

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Howard PearlRPrimeChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRChair· Election Law and Internal Affairs
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Timothy LangRVice Chair· Election Law and Municipal Affairs
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. James GrayRChair· Election Law and Municipal Affairs
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education
  • Rep. Gregory HillRChair· Legislative Administration
  • Rep. Michael MoffettRChair· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Also: Sen. Tim McGoughR

Public testimony

341 signed in online · 57 wrote testimony

3% support97% oppose0% neutral

ForPhoto ID for absentee applications improves election security

AgainstDisproportionately burdens elderly, disabled, and other voters

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Support SB 287 to require photo ID, but prefer HB217 that requires absentee ballot voters to submit proof of citizenship, age, domicile, and identity in order to qualify to vote. Voter ID provides more in-person election security; why should absentee voting be different? .”
— Bradley Louth, Hamptonsupports
“This bill creates an unnecessary hurdle to the absentee voting process. It is excessive to require further proof of identity from certain voters. The elderly, voters with disabilities, students, travelling workers, and military voters would be the most impacted.…”
— Susanne Holstein, Bedfordopposes
“OPPOSE SB287 Voters on the checklist have already provided all the ID necessary during the registration process and should not be burdened with having to provide ID in person every year if already on the checklist - the entire point of absentee ballots for elderly and disabled voters and military voters is because they can't come in person!…”
— Robin Helrich, Hopkintonopposes
“This would most impact elderly, disabled, student, and military voters, all of whom have equally valid reasons for requesting their absentee ballot to addresses other than those that appear on the checklist. Please oppose. Thank you for your consideration.”
— Elizabeth Black, Concordopposes

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 27, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • Mar 27, 2025SenateRoll callOught to PassAdopted16–8How they voted
    Overall
    67% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    16–0100% yea
    Democrats
    0–80% yea
  • May 27, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2414h10–8
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Jun 5, 2025HouseRoll callAmendment 2025-2414hAdopted184–146How they voted
    Overall
    56% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    182–0100% yea
    Democrats
    2–1461% yea
  • Jun 5, 2025HouseRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-2414hAdopted187–149How they voted
    Overall
    56% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    185–0100% yea
    Democrats
    2–1491% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Gray Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of Cadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
  • Jun 5, 2025HouseVoice voteHouse Accedes to Senate Request for CofC (Rep. Kofalt)adopted
  • Jun 26, 2025HouseVoice voteConference committee report 2025-2797cadopted
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateRoll callConference committee report 2025-2797cAdopted16–8
    Overall
    67% yea
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Mar 11, 2025Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs18:07–23:275m 20slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 27, 2025Floor debateSenate floor1:25:37–1:30:234m 46slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, roll call 16-8
  • Apr 22, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law5:10:40–5:23:3012m 50slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • May 27, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law1:21:19–1:23:592m 40slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2414h — roll call; Executive Session
  • Jun 5, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSen. Gray Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C — adopted, voice vote; President Appoints: Senators Gray, Lang, Perkins Kwoka; (In Recess
  • Jun 5, 2025Floor debateHouse floor7:29:30–7:41:0411m 34slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-2414h — adopted, roll call 187-149; Amendment # 2025-2414h — adopted, roll call 184-146; House Accedes to Senate Request for CofC (Rep. Kofalt) — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floor32:17–33:1255slocated in the stream transcriptConference Committee Report 2025-2797c: Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateSenate floor5:35:13–5:39:374m 24slocated in the stream transcriptConference Committee Report # 2025-2797c — roll call 16-8; Enrolled 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. Mar 11, 2025SenHearing: 03/11/2025, Room 103, LOB, 09:30 am; SC 12
  3. Mar 27, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/27/2025, Vote 3-2; SC 14
  4. Mar 27, 2025SenOught to Pass: RC 16Y-8N, MA; OT3rdg; 03/27/2025; SJ 9
  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 02:40 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 # 2025-2414h 05/27/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 27 P. 20
  10. May 28, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  11. Jun 5, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-2414h: AA RC 184-146 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 132
  12. Jun 5, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-2414h: MA RC 187-149 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 134
  13. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Gray Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C, MA, VV; (In Recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  14. Jun 5, 2025SenPresident Appoints: Senators Gray, Lang, Perkins Kwoka; (In Recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  15. Jun 5, 2025HouseHouse Accedes to Senate Request for CofC (Rep. Kofalt): MA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 172
  16. Jun 5, 2025HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Berry, Qualey, Burnham, Wood 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 172
  17. Jun 16, 2025SenCommittee of Conference Meeting: 06/16/2025, 09:13 am, Room 103, SH
  18. Jun 16, 2025SenConferee Change; Senator Rochefort Replaces Senator Perkins Kwoka; SJ 17
  19. Jun 18, 2025HouseConference Committee Report # 2025-2797c Filed 06/18/2025; As Amended by the House HJ 17
  20. Jun 26, 2025HouseConference Committee Report 2025-2797c: Adopted, VV 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 11
  21. Jun 26, 2025SenConference Committee Report # 2025-2797c; RC 16Y-8N, Adopted; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
  22. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18
  23. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  24. Aug 1, 2025SenSigned by the Governor on 08/01/2025; Chapter 0302; Effective 09/30/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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