Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
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HB 1627 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee

Single combined primary ballot

AI-generated

creating a single primary ballot.

Creates a single party ballot combining candidates from all parties for use in state and congressional primary elections.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill creates a single party ballot for use in state and congressional primaries.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Matthew CokerRPrime

Public testimony

113 signed in online · 31 wrote testimony

85% support15% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Please support this bill so voters can vote for any candidate of any party”
— Elizabeth Goodhue, Peterboroughsupports
“Creating a singular ballot pertaining to HB1391 & local regulation. IMHO it would support stability and decrease the dysfunction of NH being a swing state, with regard to legislature & voting. Creating a single ballot would effect a positive change & simplified process”
— Derek Michael Avila, Nashuasupports
“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, Goffstownsupports
“This seems very confusing to have a different type of primary election ballot for some races but not all.”
— Cindy Kudlik, Graftonopposes
“Why HB 1627 Is Concerning Eliminates party control over nominations Parties lose the ability to determine who participates in choosing their candidates, undermining accountability and internal democracy.…”
— BONNIE BRUNO, HOLLISopposes
“I am respectfully requesting that you oppose bill HB1627, which would implement a top-two primary system, for the following reasons: - Cross-over coordination can sideline a party’s base choice.…”
— Teresa Brooks, Manchesteropposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-2710:00 amHouse Election LawGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-02-0310:10 amHouse Election LawGP 158Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Election Law HJ 1 P. 28
  2. Jan 27, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/27/2026 10:00 am GP 158
  3. Feb 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/03/2026 10:10 am GP 158
  4. Feb 3, 2026HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 02/03/2026 (Vote 14-2; RC) HC 7 P. 31
  5. Feb 11, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 70

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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