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CACR 21 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee

Constitutional right to vote where domiciled

AI-generated

(New Title) voting eligibility.

Amends the constitution to recognize the right of United States citizens 18 years or older to vote in the place they claim as domicile, provided they actually reside there.AI-generated

Status

Recommended for passage but never voted; died at adjournment · March 11, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. On the ballot

Analysis

This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution would amend the constitution to recognize the right of all United States citizens who are 18 years or older to vote in the place they claim as domicile, so long as they actually reside in the place they claim as domicile.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“All elections are to be free, and every inhabitant of the state who is a United States citizen of 18 years of age and upwards shall have an equal right to vote in any election.”
From the bill
“Every person shall be considered an inhabitant for the purposes of voting in the town, ward, or unincorporated place where he or she has his or her domicile.”
From the bill
“No person shall have the right to vote under the constitution of this state who has been convicted of treason, bribery or any willful violation of the election laws of this state or of the United States; but the supreme court may, on notice to the attorney general, restore the privilege to vote to any person who may have forfeited it by conviction of such offenses.”
From the bill
“Voting registration and polling places shall be easily accessible to all persons including disabled and elderly persons who are otherwise qualified to vote in the choice of any officer or officers to be elected or upon any question submitted at such election.”
From the bill

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Ross BerryRPrimeChair· Election Law
  • Rep. James QualeyRVice Chair· Election Law
  • Rep. Claudine BurnhamRClerk· Election Law
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Timothy LangRVice Chair· Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Also: Rep. James GuzofskiR, Rep. Kelley PotenzaR, Sen. Tim McGoughR

Public testimony

140 signed in online · 29 wrote testimony

9% support91% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Why does change I read: "...and every [inhabitant] United States citizen of the state..." and then change IV read: "...and every legal resident of the state..."? This makes no sense! Fix this!”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuasupports
“OTPA - This bill should be amended to specify naturally-born citizenship. Thanks for supporting this issue.”
— Pamela Harders, Manchestersupports
“I support this bill because only US citizens and NH residents should be eligible to vote in our elections.”
— Daniel Gialanella, Chestersupports
“This amendment to the NH Constitution also seeks to add to the Constitution things already dealt with in law. Please vote against this amendment..”
— Patricia Goodlin, New Londonopposes
“This amendment will create widespread confusion, lawsuits, and disenfranchisement. What does it mean to "actually" live in a place in which you are domiciled? The laws already exist to determine what's required for voting.”
— Christine Bachrach, Granthamopposes
“Please do not make it hard for people to vote. There is no problem here that needs to be solved. Students who are attending college in NH should be able to vote in NH, if they are residents on campus.…”
— Deborah McCarter, Goffstownopposes

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
  • Feb 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendarCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0455h (NT)10–5
    Overall
    67% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0455hadopted
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0455hFailed184–146How they voted
    Overall
    56% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    182–0100% yea
    Democrats
    2–1461% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law1:24:04–1:29:014m 57slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law1:57:37–2:00:342m 57slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0455h (NT) — roll call; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floor5:55:08–5:59:384m 30slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0455h — failed, roll call 184-146; Amendment # 2026-0455h — adopted, voice vote

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. 40
  2. Jan 27, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/27/2026 11:20 am GP 158
  3. Feb 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/03/2026 10:10 am GP 158
  4. Feb 3, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0455h (NT) 02/03/2026 (Vote 10-5; RC) HC 10 P. 39
  5. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0455h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 139
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0455h: MF RC 184-146 Lacking Necessary Three-Fifths Vote 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 140

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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