Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 1277 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee

ID number on absentee ballots

AI-generated

relative to proof of identification on absentee ballot applications.

Amends the absentee ballot application form to require applicants to write their New Hampshire driver's license number or nondriver's identification number on the application.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 requires an applicant for an absentee ballot to write his or her drivers' license number or nondrivers' license identification number on their application.

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

“Prior to any state election, the secretary of state shall prepare the appropriate application forms for absentee ballots worded in substantially the following form.”
Section 1
“Every applicant for an absentee ballot shall provide verification before being issued an absentee ballot.”
Section 2
“The secretary of state shall insert the names of all parties qualified as set forth in RSA 652:11 in the list of parties on the application form.”
Section 1
“The secretary of state shall prepare the application forms in such quantity as he or she deems necessary:”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Russell MuirheadDPrimeDeputy Ranking Member· Election Law
  • Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law
  • Rep. Connie LaneDRanking Member· Election Law
  • Rep. Robert WherryRChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy

Also: Rep. Luz BayD, Rep. Katherine Prudhomme-O'BrienR

Public testimony

316 signed in online · 62 wrote testimony

97% support3% oppose0% neutral

ForDriver's license number is a simpler, still-secure alternative

AgainstNew ID requirements burden voters without an NH-issued ID

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“NH makes it harder than most states (maybe all of them) to get an absentee ballot. This interferes with the voting rights of elderly, disabled people, election workers, and parents of young Kids.…”
— Deboarh Olson, Hanoversupports
“Voters' driver’s license number is 100% sufficient when applying for an absentee ballot. There is no need for the run-around of getting a document notarized or submitting a copy of their ID.”
— Abigail Mather, Keenesupports
“I am very aware of the burdensome changes that are being made, and the many ways in which it will be harder for the elderly and infirm, as well as those who work on Election Day, to vote.…”
— Deborah Nelson, Hanoversupports
“The sole purpose of this bill is to disenfranchise voters. We already have requirements for people voting absentee to provide proof of eligibility to vote. With the current requirements we have virtually no voter fraud.…”
— Christie Davis, Contoocookopposes
“To: House Election Law Committee From: Michael Courville, Manchester, NH Date: February 5, 2026 Subject: HB1277 – In Opposition Dear Chairman and Members of the Committee, My name is Michael Courville, and I am a resident of Manchester.…”
— Michael Courville, Manchesteropposes
“This makes it much harder for those away from home (college students, those living abroad) to vote. There is no need for this is there is no voter fraud.”
— Melanie Kasparian, Hudsonopposes

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· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate9–8
    Overall
    53% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 10, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law1:52:52–1:57:494m 57slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing

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. 13
  2. Feb 10, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/10/2026 11:40 am GP 158
  3. Feb 17, 2026House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 02/17/2026 01:40 pm GP 158
  4. Mar 3, 2026House==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 03/03/2026 01:40 pm GP 158
  5. Mar 3, 2026HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 03/03/2026 (Vote 9-8; RC) HC 10 P. 86
  6. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0987h

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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