Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
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CACR 14 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee

Citizenship requirement for elected office

AI-generated

relating to qualifications for office. Providing that candidates of the office of governor, state senator, and state representative shall be citizens of the United States.

Requires candidates for the office of governor, state senator, and state representative to be citizens of the United States.AI-generated

Status

Recommended for passage but never voted; died at adjournment · March 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. On the ballot

Analysis

This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution requires candidates for the office of governor, state senator, and state representative to be citizens of the United States.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Katelyn KuttabRPrimeClerk· Judiciary
  • Rep. Robert WherryRChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy
  • Rep. Jennifer RhodesRVice Chair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Bob LynnRChair· Judiciary

Also: Rep. James GuzofskiR, Rep. Katherine Prudhomme-O'BrienR

Public testimony

58 signed in online · 16 wrote testimony

19% support81% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Please Amend: Change the "AND" to an "OR" in one place: "....senator, who is not a citizen of the United States, of the age of thirty years, OR who shall not have been an inhabitant of this....."”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuasupports
“I support this bill because only US born citizens should be eligible to hold office in NH.”
— Daniel Gialanella, Chestersupports
“This amendment to the NH Constitution seeks to add to the Constitution things already dealt with in law. Please vote against this amendment..”
— Patricia Goodlin, New Londonopposes
“This bill is a waste of time and tax dollars. It is totally unnecessary.”
— Jennifer Highland, Bridgewateropposes
“I adamantly oppose this bill which seeks to put into the NH Constitution things that are ALREADY in law and widely believed. This is a complete waste of time for discussion”
— Andrea Powers, Bristolopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-2710:20 amHouse Election LawGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-02-0310:10 amHouse Election LawGP 158Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Election Law HJ 1 P. 40
  2. Jan 27, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/27/2026 11:00 am GP 158
  3. Feb 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/03/2026 10:10 am GP 158
  4. Feb 3, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 02/03/2026 (Vote 10-6; RC) HC 9 P. 39
  5. Feb 24, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MF RC 182-157 Lacking Necessary Three-Fifths Vote 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 109

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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