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SB 44 · 2026 · Senate · Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee

Hand counting of ballots

AI-generated

relative to hand counts of ballots in elections.

Allows a voter in a precinct using electronic ballot counting devices to request that their ballot be counted by hand.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill allows a voter voting in a precinct with electronic ballot counting devices to request that his or her vote be counted by hand.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as amended by the Senate. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“In precincts where an electronic ballot counting device is used, a voter may request that his or her ballot be counted by hand at the time the voter presents his or her ballot to the moderator.”
RSA 659:23-b
“The moderator shall deposit the ballot in the compartment on the side of the electronic ballot counting device.”
RSA 659:23-b

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Kevin AvardRPrimeDeputy Majority Whip

Public testimony

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 13, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0730s5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 13, 2025SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2025-0730sadopted
  • Mar 13, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-0730sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Sep 16, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendarCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 21, 2025Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs21:48–29:177m 29slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 13, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0730s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-0730s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-0730s — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 22, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law1:59–8:256m 26slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • May 27, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law17:37–20:012m 24slocated in the stream transcriptExecutive Session; Retained in Committee
  • Sep 16, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law1:42:38–1:45:182m 40slocated 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 9, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 3
  2. Jan 21, 2025SenHearing: 01/21/2025, Room 103, LOB, 09:30 am; SC 7
  3. Mar 13, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0730s, 03/13/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 12
  4. Mar 13, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-0730s, AA, VV; 03/13/2025; SJ 7
  5. Mar 13, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-0730s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/13/2025; SJ 7
  6. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 11 P. 110
  7. Apr 22, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/22/2025 10:00 am LOB 306-308
  8. Apr 29, 2025House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 04/29/2025 10:00 am LOB 306-308
  9. May 27, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 05/27/2025 10:00 am LOB 306-308
  10. May 27, 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. 9
  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.