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HB 289 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee

Domicile requirements for voter eligibility

AI-generated

regarding domicile qualifications for voting.

Prevents a person from claiming domicile if that person is a legal dependent of a person who does not live in New Hampshire and clarifies that obtaining a driver's license or registering a motor vehicle demonstrates intent to maintain continuous presence in the state.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · January 7, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Prevents a person from claiming domicile if that person is a legal dependent of a person who does not live in New Hampshire. II. Clarifies that obtaining a driver's license or registering a motor vehicle is intent of maintaining continuous presence within New Hampshire.

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

“Every inhabitant of the state, having a single established domicile for voting purposes, being a citizen of the United States, of the age provided for in Article 11 of Part First of the Constitution of New Hampshire, shall have a right at any meeting or election, to vote in the town, ward, or unincorporated place in which he or she is domiciled.”
Section 1
“For the purposes of RSA 654:1, I, obtaining a driver’s license under RSA 263:35 and/or the registration of a motor vehicle under RSA 261:45, I shall be considered an intent to maintain a single continuous presence within the state of New Hampshire.”
Section 2
“Domicile shall not be claimed if the person is a legal dependent under custody at an address outside the state of New Hampshire.”
Section 1
“A student of any institution of learning may lawfully claim domicile for voting purposes in the New Hampshire town or city in which he or she lives while attending such institution of learning if such student's claim of domicile otherwise meets the requirements of RSA 654:1, I and residency rules as established by the university system of New Hampshire.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Robert WherryRPrimeChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy

Rep. Clayton WoodR

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Sep 16, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendarCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 11, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law1:02:09–1:06:254m 16slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 14, 2025Public hearingHouse Election LawWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • Feb 21, 2025Public hearingHouse Election LawWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • Mar 7, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law20:03–21:451m 42slocated in the stream transcriptSubcommittee Work Session
  • Mar 11, 2025Public hearingHouse Election LawWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full stream==RECESSED== Executive Session
  • Mar 14, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law12:40–13:3959slocated in the stream transcriptSubcommittee Work Session
  • Mar 18, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law25:10–27:332m 23slocated in the stream transcript==CONTINUED== Executive Session; Subcommittee Work Session; Retained in Committee
  • Sep 16, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law52:01–54:532m 52slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Jan 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 2 P. 13
  2. Feb 11, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/11/2025 10:50 am LOB 306-308
  3. Feb 14, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/14/2025 09:30 am LOB 306-308
  4. Feb 21, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/21/2025 09:30 am LOB 302-304
  5. Mar 7, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 03/07/2025 01:00 pm LOB 306-308
  6. Mar 11, 2025House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 03/11/2025 09:00 am LOB 306-308
  7. Mar 14, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 03/14/2025 09:00 am LOB 306-308
  8. Mar 18, 2025House==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 03/18/2025 10:00 am LOB 306-308
  9. Mar 18, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 03/18/2025 09:00 am LOB 307
  10. Mar 18, 2025HouseRetained in Committee
  11. Sep 16, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 09/16/2025 10:15 am GP 158
  12. Sep 16, 2025House: Inexpedient to Legislate 09/16/2025 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 51 P. 8
  13. Jan 7, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 50

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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