HB 1601 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee

Voter education on law changes

requiring the secretary of state to create a voter education program that includes information on recent changes to voting laws.

Directs the secretary of state to create a voter education program informing voters of recent changes to voting laws, funded with $50,000 from Help America Vote Act federal funds.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · May 7, 2026

✓Introduced
✓House
✕Senate
Governor
Law

Analysis

This bill requires the secretary of state to create a voter education program that includes information on recent changes to voting laws.

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

“The secretary of state shall use $50,000 in funds made available through the Help America Vote Act 2002, 52 U.S.C. section 20901 et seq. in order to create the program, develop materials, and make them available to voters in the state.”

Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Public testimony

316 signed in online · 59 wrote testimony

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

ForRecent law changes cause confusion and turn away eligible voters

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This bill is as anti-American as the entirety of the Republican Party’s agenda. Keep the church and state separate in New Hampshire.”

— Marlana Lord, Franklinsupports

“This would be an excellent idea since there are so many changes.”

— Susan Orkin, Granthamsupports

“Given the recent changes to voting laws that many people are unaware of, it is vitally important that we educate our citizens about them so that they will not be surprised or unable to vote on Election day. As a democracy, why would we not do this?”

— Mary Livingston, Langdonsupports

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 17, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendarCommittee report: Ought to Pass15–0
Overall
100% yea
Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
May 7, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study5–0
Overall
100% yea
May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

Feb 10, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law28:41–31:563m 15slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floor6:42:03–6:43:161m 13slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
Mar 31, 2026Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs26:37–29:362m 59slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Refer to Interim Study — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Election Law HJ 1 P. 27
Feb 10, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/10/2026 10:20 am GP 158
Feb 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/17/2026 01:40 pm GP 158
Feb 17, 2026House: Ought to Pass 02/17/2026 (Vote 15-0; RC) HC 10 P. 44
Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7
Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 7
Mar 31, 2026SenHearing: 03/31/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 09:15 am; SC 12
May 7, 2026Sen: Referred to Interim Study, 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
May 7, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Introducedversion

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