Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
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HB 1062 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee

Auditing voters' citizenship status

AI-generated

authorizing the secretary of state to conduct random audits of the citizenship qualification of registered voters.

Authorizes the secretary of state to conduct random, statistically sound audits of the citizenship qualifications of registered voters who used a qualified voter affidavit, publish findings, and refer suspected noncitizens to the attorney general.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 16, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill authorizes the secretary of state to conduct random audits of the citizenship qualification of registered voters.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted.

“In addition to reviewing records contained in state databases, the secretary of state may conduct audits of the citizenship qualifications of registered voters who submitted a qualified voter affidavit as proof of citizenship.”
RSA 654:45-a, I

Who can be audited: only voters who registered on a qualified voter affidavit rather than with documentary proof.AI-generated

“The secretary of state shall ensure a random, statistically sound audit of such voters and publish a public report of the findings of that audit.”
RSA 654:45-a, II

Two constraints in one sentence — the sample must be statistically sound, and the result must be published.AI-generated

“To carry out paragraph I of this section, the secretary of state may use data regarding individual voters with persons or entities that are not agencies of the state only if the secretary and the person or entity enter into a legally binding agreement that: (a) Permits retention of the data only as long as necessary to carry out the purpose of the sharing or for one year, whichever is shorter; (b) Prohibits further sharing or disclosure of the data without written authorization by the secretary; (c) Requires minimum reasonable security measures to protect the data from unauthorized access; and (d) Provides the state with ownership of, and direct control over, the data unless otherwise required by state or federal law.”
RSA 654:45-a, V

The data-sharing guardrails added in the Senate: time limits, no onward disclosure, and state ownership of the data.AI-generated

“The secretary of state shall permanently destroy all data gathered under this section that relates to an identifiable individual whose citizenship is confirmed by an audit upon such confirmation and whose citizenship is not so confirmed when the matter is finally resolved.”
RSA 654:45-a, VI

Destruction is mandatory once citizenship is confirmed — the answer to the objection that an audit builds a permanent file.AI-generated

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Bob LynnRPrimeChair· Judiciary

Public testimony

1,021 signed in online · 362 wrote testimony

1% support99% oppose0% neutral

ForAudits deter fraud and strengthen election integrity

AgainstNo evidence of a voter-fraud problem; bill spreads fear and distrust

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am in support of this bill because it allows for citizen's, like myself, the opportunity to own a house again. I currently live in work=force housing and my job in non-profit does not allow me a salary in which I can afford to purchase a house in the seacoast NH area.…”
— Christine Mont-LaButte, Portsmouthsupports
“Anything we can do to deter fraud or even the appearance of fraud in our elections should have no opposition. It’s common sense.”
— Rachel Paluch, Altonsupports
“Spot checking Citizenship is a great check! I would love there additionally be a report saying something like "5 spot checks were completed for citizenship in ward 4 of X town- 4 are verified citizens, 1 is forwarded to AG for further investigation" to be posted on the SOS website.…”
— Carol P, Rochestersupports
“I am shocked that anyone in the NH legislature could think that anyone could cast a vote in NH without being a NH and US citizen. First you have to register to vote and show 2 types of ID and utility bills with your address.…”
— Emma Stamas, Keene · My family and friends at my church.opposes
“There is no evidence of widespread non-citizen voting in New Hampshire. HB 1062 fuels misinformation and undermines trust instead of improving election security. Please do not support this bill: New Hampshire should not treat it's voter like suspects.…”
— Mary Kae Eckert, Hillopposes
“I do not see a reason to revalidate voter citizenship once registered to vote. It uses up resources with no real benefit.”
— Martha Gilman, Canterburyopposes

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 17, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendarCommittee report: Ought to Pass9–7
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseDivisionOught to PassAdopted181–152
    Overall
    54% yea
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1383s5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-1383sadopted
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1383sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1383s and Requests CofC (Rep. Berry)adopted
    Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Gray Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conferenceadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteConference committee report 2026-2094cadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026HouseRoll callConference committee report 2026-2094cAdopted196–156How they voted
    Overall
    56% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    194–0100% yea
    Democrats
    2–1551% yea
    Other
    0–10% yea
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law5:43:16–5:50:587m 42slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floor6:12:18–6:15:373m 19slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, division 181-152
  • Mar 31, 2026Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs1:37:25–1:44:257mlocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 16, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1383s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1383s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1383s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSen. Gray Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference — adopted, voice vote; President Appoints: Senators Gray, Lang, Perkins Kwoka; (In Recess
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1383s and Requests CofC (Rep. Berry) — adopted, voice vote; Speaker Appoints: Reps. Berry, Qualey, Wherry, Harvey-Bolia
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2094c; Conference Committee Report # 2026-2094c, Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Adopted — voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:42:09–1:55:5413m 45slocated in the stream transcriptConference Committee Report 2026-2094c: Adopted — roll call 196-156; Enrolled (in recess)

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Election Law HJ 1 P. 4
  2. Feb 3, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/03/2026 01:40 pm GP 158
  3. Feb 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/17/2026 01:40 pm GP 158
  4. Feb 17, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 02/17/2026 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 10 P. 40
  5. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA DV 181-152 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 144
  7. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 7
  8. Mar 31, 2026SenHearing: 03/31/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 10:30 am; SC 12
  9. Apr 16, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1383s, 04/16/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 14
  10. Apr 16, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1383s, AA, VV; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  11. Apr 16, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1383s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  12. May 14, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1383s and Requests CofC (Rep. Berry): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 150
  13. May 14, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Berry, Qualey, Wherry, Harvey-Bolia 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 150
  14. May 14, 2026SenSen. Gray Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  15. May 14, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Gray, Lang, Perkins Kwoka; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  16. May 27, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/27/2026 09:40 am GP 228
  17. May 28, 2026HouseConferee Change: Rep. See Replaces Rep. Wherry 05/28/2026 HJ 14 P. 36
  18. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2094c; 06/04/2026
  19. Jun 3, 2026HouseRemoved from Consent (Reps. Telerski, Simpson, Lane, Muirhead, Ward, Bay, Newsom, Wallner, B. Sullivan, D. Paige) 06/03/2026 HJ 14
  20. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report # 2026-2094c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
  21. Jun 4, 2026HouseConference Committee Report 2026-2094c: Adopted, RC 196-156 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  22. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  23. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026
  24. Jul 10, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 289; eff. 9/8/2026

Coverage

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

Documents (PDF)

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