Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
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HB 1062 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee

Auditing voters' citizenship status

AI-generated

authorizing the secretary of state to conduct random audits of the citizenship qualification of registered voters.

Authorizes the secretary of state to conduct random, statistically sound audits of the citizenship qualifications of registered voters who used a qualified voter affidavit, publish findings, and refer suspected noncitizens to the attorney general.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 16, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill authorizes the secretary of state to conduct random audits of the citizen qualification of registered voters.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Bob LynnRPrimeChair· Judiciary

Public testimony

1,021 signed in online · 362 wrote testimony

1% support99% oppose0% neutral

ForAudits deter fraud and strengthen election integrity

AgainstNo evidence of a voter-fraud problem; bill spreads fear and distrust

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am in support of this bill because it allows for citizen's, like myself, the opportunity to own a house again. I currently live in work=force housing and my job in non-profit does not allow me a salary in which I can afford to purchase a house in the seacoast NH area.…”
— Christine Mont-LaButte, Portsmouthsupports
“Anything we can do to deter fraud or even the appearance of fraud in our elections should have no opposition. It’s common sense.”
— Rachel Paluch, Altonsupports
“Spot checking Citizenship is a great check! I would love there additionally be a report saying something like "5 spot checks were completed for citizenship in ward 4 of X town- 4 are verified citizens, 1 is forwarded to AG for further investigation" to be posted on the SOS website.…”
— Carol P, Rochestersupports
“I am shocked that anyone in the NH legislature could think that anyone could cast a vote in NH without being a NH and US citizen. First you have to register to vote and show 2 types of ID and utility bills with your address.…”
— Emma Stamas, Keene · My family and friends at my church.opposes
“There is no evidence of widespread non-citizen voting in New Hampshire. HB 1062 fuels misinformation and undermines trust instead of improving election security. Please do not support this bill: New Hampshire should not treat it's voter like suspects.…”
— Mary Kae Eckert, Hillopposes
“I do not see a reason to revalidate voter citizenship once registered to vote. It uses up resources with no real benefit.”
— Martha Gilman, Canterburyopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-02-0310:20 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. 4
  2. Feb 3, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/03/2026 01:40 pm GP 158
  3. Feb 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/17/2026 01:40 pm GP 158
  4. Feb 17, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 02/17/2026 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 10 P. 40
  5. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA DV 181-152 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 144
  7. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 7
  8. Mar 31, 2026SenHearing: 03/31/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 10:30 am; SC 12
  9. Apr 16, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1383s, 04/16/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 14
  10. Apr 16, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1383s, AA, VV; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  11. Apr 16, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1383s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  12. May 14, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1383s and Requests CofC (Rep. Berry): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 150
  13. May 14, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Berry, Qualey, Wherry, Harvey-Bolia 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 150
  14. May 14, 2026SenSen. Gray Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  15. May 14, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Gray, Lang, Perkins Kwoka; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  16. May 27, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/27/2026 09:40 am GP 228
  17. May 28, 2026HouseConferee Change: Rep. See Replaces Rep. Wherry 05/28/2026 HJ 14 P. 36
  18. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2094c; 06/04/2026
  19. Jun 3, 2026HouseRemoved from Consent (Reps. Telerski, Simpson, Lane, Muirhead, Ward, Bay, Newsom, Wallner, B. Sullivan, D. Paige) 06/03/2026 HJ 14
  20. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report # 2026-2094c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
  21. Jun 4, 2026HouseConference Committee Report 2026-2094c: Adopted, RC 196-156 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  22. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  23. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026
  24. Jul 10, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 289; eff. 9/8/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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