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HB 1342 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee

UOCAVA voter privacy protections

AI-generated

restricting access to certain information relative to voters subject to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.

Permits access to absentee and UOCAVA voter records while restricting release of certain information about voters covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 11, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill allows for absentee and UOCAVA voter records to be accessed but prevents certain information relative to UOCAVA voters from being released.

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

““UOCAVA voter” means a voter entitled to protections under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 52 U.S.C. sections 20301–20311.”
RSA 657:27
“Any election official who knowingly refuses or fails to make absentee or UOCAVA voting records available for public inspection as required under RSA 657:27 shall be guilty of a violation for the first offense and subject to a civil fine of not more than $1,000.”
RSA 659:45-b
““Voting record” means information maintained by election officials showing that a voter has requested, been issued, or returned an absentee or UOCAVA ballot.”
RSA 657:27
“The following information shall be available for public inspection for each absentee and UOCAVA voter:”
RSA 657:27

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Linda McGrathRPrime
  • Rep. JD BernardyRClerk· Science, Technology and Energy
  • Rep. Sayra DeVitoRClerk· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Robert WherryRChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy

Also: Rep. Mary MurphyR, Rep. Susan PorcelliR, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR

Public testimony

147 signed in online · 10 wrote testimony

0% support99% oppose1% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“If the state of NH would pay its fair share, we taxpayers would save far more on property taxes. Stop the gop tax scam for once and for all. NH must fund public education.…”
— Kathy Archibald, Warrenopposes
“his bill would seek to expand unnecessary collection of information from multiple sources for absentee overseas citizens. The system is working well already.”
— Sharon Racusin, Hanoveropposes
“Our democracy should encourage everyone to vote and not restrict voting. Are we going to remain a democracy that honors its people's wishes or not?”
— Mary Cadwallader, Hanoveropposes

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· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law2:50:40–3:17:1426m 34slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Election LawWatchnamed in a list of bills, not taken up — opens the full stream==RECESSED== Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 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 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Election Law HJ 1 P. 16
  2. Jan 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/20/2026 11:45 am GP 158
  3. Jan 27, 2026House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 01/27/2026 10:10 am GP 158
  4. Mar 3, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/03/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 10 P. 15
  5. Mar 11, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 23

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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