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HB 1272 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee

Party labels on local ballots

AI-generated

(New Title) providing an option for each candidate's party affiliations to be printed on the town or school district ballot.

Allows towns and school districts to vote to print each candidate's party affiliation after their name on official ballots, with a process to adopt or later rescind the practice and an option for candidates to opt out.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · April 10, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill provides that each candidate's party affiliation be printed on the town or school district ballot.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Robert WherryRPrimeChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy
  • Rep. Diane PauerRChair· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Tom MannionRAssistant Majority Whip

Also: Rep. Mary FordR, Rep. Linda McGrathR, Rep. Mary MurphyR, Rep. Richard BrownR, Rep. John SellersR

Public testimony

298 signed in online · 59 wrote testimony

2% support98% oppose0% neutral

AgainstLocal and school board elections should stay nonpartisan

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“NHSBA is opposed to this bill. Given the number of hearings and executive sessions scheduled at this time, we will be submitting further testimony after the hearing, as appropriate. Thank you.”
— Rebecca Wilson, Concord · New Hampshire School Boards Associationopposes
“I oppose HB 1272 because I believe that school district elections should remain nonpartisan as they are now.”
— Linda Bundy, Antrimopposes
“I am a first grade teacher, and my classroom has registered temperatures of over 100 degrees while I am with students. This is no way for children to learn, and mandating specific calendar days will only worsen this matter.”
— Katie Bass, GIlmanton Iron Worksopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-02-1710:00 amHouse Election LawGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-03-0310:00 amHouse Election LawGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-03-319:00 amSenate Election Law and Municipal AffairsSH 122-123Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Election Law HJ 1 P. 13
  2. Feb 17, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/17/2026 11:20 am GP 158
  3. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 10:00 am GP 158
  4. Mar 3, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0947h 03/03/2026 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 10 P. 41
  5. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0947h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 145
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0947h: MA DV 171-156 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 146
  8. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 7
  9. Mar 31, 2026SenHearing: 03/31/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 01:30 pm; SC 12
  10. Apr 16, 2026Sen: Inexpedient to Legislate, 04/16/2026, Vote 4-0, CC; SC 14
  11. Apr 16, 2026SenInexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 04/16/2026; SJ 9

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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