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HB 1223 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee

Hand counts to verify voting devices

AI-generated

relative to the moderator's authority to verify the device count during an election.

Authorizes a moderator to conduct a hand count of ballots to verify the device count during an election.AI-generated

Status

Committee recommended Inexpedient to Legislate; died at adjournment · March 4, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill enables the moderator to conduct a hand count of ballots in order to verify the device count during an election.

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

“At his or her sole discretion, a moderator may perform a hand count of the votes of any race in any election and compare the hand count total to the tabulator print out total, in order to verify that the votes in that race are being tabulated accurately.”
RSA 659:60-a
“In the event that the hand count total does not match the tabulator total, the hand count total shall prevail and the moderator shall use the hand count results to certify the election in that race.”
RSA 659:60-a
“If the moderator certifies the election using the hand count, instead of the machine count, the moderator shall report this fact to the city or town clerk.”
RSA 659:60-a
“The moderator shall report to the city or town clerk which election result was determined by hand count and shall report the following for that election:”
RSA 659:60-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Kevin ScullyRPrime
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip

Also: Rep. Alvin SeeR, Rep. Catherine KennyR, Rep. Clayton WoodR, Rep. Jose CambrilsR

Public testimony

199 signed in online · 36 wrote testimony

21% support79% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This Bill codifies the actions and authority of a moderator. ( Ref: NH Constutition- ( Part #2- Art32 duties of a moderator, responsibility for sorting and counting votes.…”
— Al Brandano, Exetersupports
“Integrity needs to be returned to any and all elections. Witnessed and videoed ballot counts will provide authenticate honest elections. There must be a chain of custody. All ballots should be marked with a number that can be traced as Used or Not Used.…”
— Patricia Graf, Merrimacksupports
“Moderators must have authority to ensure accurate and trustworthy vote counts.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchestersupports
“We had 3 recounts in Nashua for our City elections in 2025. 2 of the 3 recounted races came out exact to the tabulator results. The 3rd recount had a 2-vote difference.…”
— Daniel Healey, Nashua · Nashua City Clerkopposes
“This is another unnecessary bill that piles on costs and work. Creating costs because a group of people are scared of unreal problems is an abuse of residents. Make this group prove real issues before they waste your time and ours.”
— Steven Borne, Ryeopposes
“relative to the moderator's authority to verify the device count during an election”
— Richard DeMark, Meredithopposes

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 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseDivisionSpecial Order next order ofbusiness (Rep. Scully)Failed27–319
    Overall
    8% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law4:01:46–4:03:381m 52slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law1:56:31–2:04:518m 20slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor2:53:25–3:00:066m 41slocated in the stream transcriptSpecial Order next order ofbusiness (Rep. Scully) — failed, division 27-319

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. 11
  2. Feb 3, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/03/2026 01:00 pm GP 158
  3. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 10:00 am GP 158
  4. Mar 3, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/03/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 10 P. 13
  5. Mar 10, 2026HouseRemoved from Consent (Reps. Scully, Bernardy, Hill, L. Miner, Cambrils, Sabourin dit Choiniere, Ohm, McFarlane, Porcelli, Kenny) 03/10/2026 HJ 7 P. 1
  6. Mar 12, 2026HouseSpecial Order next order ofbusiness (Rep. Scully): MF DV 27-319 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 49

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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