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HB 1076 · 2026 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Local authority over ballot counting devices

AI-generated

relative to authorizing or rescinding the use of electronic ballot counting devices.

Authorizes the legislative body of any municipality to authorize or rescind the use of electronic ballot counting devices.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · April 10, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill authorizes the legislative body of any municipality to authorize or rescind the use of electronic ballot counting devices.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“The mayor and aldermen of any city or the [selectmen] legislative body of any town, subject to the approval of the ballot law commission, may authorize or rescind the use of one of the electronic ballot counting devices approved by the ballot law commission and the number of those devices used for the counting of ballots in such city or town for any regular or special election.”
RSA 656:40
“In a town that has adopted an official ballot, the official ballot shall be used for the question proposed at any annual or special meeting on the authorization or the rescission of the use of electronic ballot counting devices under this section.”
RSA 656:40
“"Shall the town authorize the use of (number) electronic ballot counting devices for any regular and special elections?" The wording of the question for rescinding the use of such devices shall be:”
RSA 656:40
“"Shall the town rescind the use of electronic ballot counting devices for any regular and special elections?" If the town has not adopted an official ballot, the clerk shall cause the same question to be printed upon special ballots which shall be used to determine the vote of the town.”
RSA 656:40

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Susan DeRoyRPrime
  • Rep. Diane PauerRChair· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Claudine BurnhamRClerk· Election Law
  • Rep. JD BernardyRClerk· Science, Technology and Energy

Also: Rep. Kelley PotenzaR, Rep. Glenn BaileyR, Rep. Mike BelcherR, Rep. Samuel FarringtonR

Public testimony

13 signed in online · 5 wrote testimony

23% support77% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Am I correct in interpreting this bill to intend to apply to ALL elections: 1) at the local level, 2) the county level, 3) the state level and 4) the federal level?”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuasupports
“I'm submitting this testimony electronically. It is absolutely stupid to eliminate electronic processing but regardless this is a local decision - made by the voters when they purchase or don't purchase or don't want to use their machines.…”
— Karen Burnett-Kurie, Wolfeboroopposes
“Electronic voting systems have been thoroughly audited and studied, and I imagine they will continue to be. Voting safety and security is certainly an important topic, but there is no evidence to warrant any concern that there are problems with current systems.…”
— Nicholas Ferrigno, Newburyopposes
“The municipalities go through many requirements in order to purchase ballot counting machines. The most recent machines purchased took 4 years from piloting machines to purchasing and putting to use after being reviewed by Ballot Law Commission and Secretary of State.…”
— Joan Dargie, Milfordopposes

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 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendarCommittee report: Ought to Pass15–3
    Overall
    83% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseDivisionOught to PassAdopted182–151
    Overall
    55% yea
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study4–1
    Overall
    80% yea
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 30, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government5:48:46–5:55:026m 16slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:34:00–1:38:104m 10slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, division 182-151
  • Mar 31, 2026Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs2:16:14–2:24:067m 52slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 16, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Refer to Interim Study — adopted, voice vote

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 Municipal and County Government HJ 1 P. 5
  2. Jan 30, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/30/2026 11:45 am GP 154
  3. Feb 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/03/2026 11:15 am GP 153
  4. Feb 3, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 02/03/2026 (Vote 15-3; RC) HC 10 P. 62
  5. Feb 27, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA DV 182-151 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 27
  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, 10:45 am; SC 12
  9. Apr 16, 2026Sen: Referred to Interim Study, 04/16/2026; Vote 4-1; CC; SC 14
  10. Apr 16, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 04/16/2026; SJ 9

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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