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HB 1678 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee

Direct online voter registration

AI-generated

requiring the secretary of state to accept voter registration forms directly from voters and to create an online portal for direct voter registration.

Allows qualified individuals to submit voter registration applications directly to the secretary of state for forwarding to local clerks, and requires the secretary of state to build a secure online portal for electronic voter registration by 2028.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 12, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill allows for qualified voters to register to vote directly with the secretary of state. This bill also requires the secretary of state to create an online portal for direct voter registration.

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

“Beginning January 1, 2026, any person qualified to register to vote under RSA 654:1 may submit a completed voter registration form and supporting documentation directly to the secretary of state.”
RSA 654:7-d
“The secretary of state shall forward all such registration materials to the appropriate town or city clerk based on the applicant’s domicile for processing and inclusion on the checklist in accordance with RSA 654:25.”
RSA 654:7-d
“By January 1, 2028, the secretary of state shall establish and maintain a secure online portal through which qualified individuals may submit voter registration forms and supporting documentation electronically.”
RSA 654:7-d
“The secretary of state shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A to implement the provisions of this section, including standards for document security, data transmission, and verification procedures.”
RSA 654:7-d

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Patrick LongDPrime

Sen. Donovan FentonD

Public testimony

277 signed in online · 59 wrote testimony

99% support1% oppose0% neutral

ForModernizes an outdated, in-person-only registration system

AgainstObjections tied to a non-germane amendment on the bill

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The Members of the NH Council on Developmental Disabilities (NHCDD) believes this bill could have a positive impact on the NH disability community.…”
— Chase Eagleson, Concord · Members of the NH Council on Developmental Disabilitiessupports
“Providing an online portal for voter registration is long overdue in NH. Many other states already have this option available. The right to vote is essential for democracy and registration should be made as convenient as possible. Please vote in favor of this bill.”
— Patricia Goodlin, New Londonsupports
“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
“Online voter registration is secure, proven, and widely used across the country. HB 1678 would reduce errors, shorten lines, and make voting easier for eligible Granite Staters.”
— David McGraw, Thorntonopposes

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
  • Jan 27, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate9–7
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Feb 12, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law3:55:09–4:00:365m 27slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law1:20:02–1:23:493m 47slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Executive Session
  • Feb 12, 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. 31
  2. Jan 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/20/2026 01:00 pm GP 158
  3. Jan 27, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/27/2026 10:10 am GP 158
  4. Jan 27, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/27/2026 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 6 P. 13
  5. Feb 2, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
  6. Feb 12, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 26

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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