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HB 1600 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee

Poll access to voter database

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to access to the centralized voter registration database on election days.

Requires the secretary of state and city and town clerks to ensure every polling place has direct or indirect access to the statewide centralized voter registration database during voting hours on all election days.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the Senate · April 23, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires the division of motor vehicles to make available the opportunity to register to vote at the time of applying for or renewing a drivers' license or nondrivers identification card.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Matthew WilhelmDPrimeDemocratic Caucus Chair
  • Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law

Public testimony

295 signed in online · 64 wrote testimony

99% support1% oppose0% neutral

ForDMV registration is a convenient modernization that saves time and reduces errors

AgainstGeneral opposition without detailed reasoning

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Allowing individuals to register to vote while also renewing or obtaining driver's licenses at the Division of Motor Vehicles would be a huge win for democracy.…”
— Patricia Goodlin, New Londonsupports
“Let's make voting EASIER for citizens moving to the Granite State. Support HB1600.”
— Alice Passer, Greenlandsupports
“We live in a democracy and we should be doing everything possible to make it easier for people to vote. There is very little voter fraud. But we do need to fight voter suppression and this bill will help with that.”
— Louise Ewing, Antrimsupports
“Broadly opposed. I prefer to enhance respect for franchise and voting privilege by insisting on a deliberate selective choice. This is too mcdonalds happy meal for me. Let the DMV do its job and not be co-opted into McSocialism.”
— tom luther, claremontopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-2010:00 amHouse Election LawGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-01-2710:10 amHouse Election LawGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-02-039:00 amHouse Election LawGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-02-1010:10 amHouse Election LawGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-03-0910:00 amHouse Finance - Division IGP 230Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2026-03-1710:00 amHouse FinanceGP 230Public hearing
  • 2026-04-149:15 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. 27
  2. Jan 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/20/2026 01:20 pm GP 158
  3. Jan 27, 2026House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 01/27/2026 10:10 am GP 158
  4. Feb 3, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/03/2026 09:00 am GP 158
  5. Feb 10, 2026House==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 02/10/2026 10:10 am GP 158
  6. Feb 10, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0626h (NT) 02/10/2026 (Vote 16-0; RC) HC 7 P. 31
  7. Feb 19, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0626h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 67
  8. Feb 19, 2026HouseFLAM # 2026-0771h (Rep. Lane): AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 69
  9. Feb 19, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0626h and 2026-0771h: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 70
  10. Feb 19, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 70
  11. Mar 9, 2026HouseDivision I Work Session: 03/09/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  12. Mar 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/17/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  13. Mar 17, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1097h 03/17/2026 (Vote 25-0; CC)
  14. Mar 26, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1097h: AA VV 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 2
  15. Mar 26, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1097h: MA VV 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 2
  16. Mar 26, 2026SenIntroduced 03/26/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 7
  17. Apr 14, 2026SenHearing: 04/14/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 09:30 am; SC 14
  18. Apr 23, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 04/23/2026, Vote 5-0; SC 15
  19. Apr 23, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
  20. Apr 23, 2026SenThe Chair rescinded OT3rdg, 04/23/2026; SJ 10
  21. Apr 23, 2026SenSen. Gray Moved Laid on Table, MA, VV; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
  22. Apr 23, 2026SenPending Motion OT3rdg; 04/23/2026; SJ 10

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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