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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.

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

Hearings

  • 2026-02-0310:20 amHouse Election LawGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-03-0310:00 amHouse Election LawGP 158Public hearing

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.