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HB 686 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee

Ban on government-run political surveys

AI-generated

(New Title) prohibiting certain public entities from conducting or sponsoring political surveys, polls, or questionnaires in their official capacities.

Prohibits certain public entities from conducting or sponsoring political surveys, polls, or questionnaires in their official capacities, while exempting surveys conducted by institutions of higher education.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · April 10, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Requires anyone who requests an absentee ballot to provide a copy of government issued photo identification alongside their absentee ballot application. II. Requires that absentee ballot applications be notarized. III. Requires a person to cure any errors in their application in person and prove their domicile to their city or town clerk.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Kelley PotenzaRPrime
  • Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law
  • Rep. Claudine BurnhamRClerk· Election Law
  • Rep. Katelyn KuttabRClerk· Judiciary
  • Rep. Robert WherryRChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy

Also: Rep. Aidan AnkarbergI, Rep. Susan DeRoyR, Rep. Len TurcotteR

Public testimony

21 signed in online · 11 wrote testimony

0% support100% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am against this bill. It will throw an extra obstacle in the way of aged or sick voters who vote by mail because they have a hard time leaving their homes. If they have trouble leaving home, how do you expect them to get to a notary?…”
— Lauren Warner, Peterboroughopposes
“This bill is a partisan attempt to silence public employees, and to prevent them from sharing factual information regarding laws and elections that directly affect their work.…”
— Amy Tremblay, Hooksettopposes
“I oppose NH HB 686 because it raises concerns about the First Amendment and the silencing of public employees from sharing their expertise and experience. Teachers, firefighters, and police chiefs need to be able to speak on issues that affect their work and communities.”
— Candace Bergstrom, Stoddardopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-02-0410:20 amHouse Election LawLOB 306-308Public hearing
  • 2025-02-1110:10 amHouse Election LawLOB 306-308Public hearing
  • 2025-02-149:30 amHouse Election LawLOB 306-308Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-02-219:30 amHouse Election LawLOB 302-304Public hearing
  • 2025-03-071:00 pmHouse Election LawLOB 306-308Public hearing
  • 2025-03-149:00 amHouse Election LawLOB 306-308Public hearing
  • 2025-03-1810:00 amHouse Election LawLOB 306-308Public hearing
  • 2025-03-189:00 amHouse Election LawLOB 307Public hearing
  • 2025-09-1610:15 amHouse Election LawGP 158Public hearing
  • 2025-09-1610:00 amHouse Election LawGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-03-319:00 amSenate Election Law and Municipal AffairsSH 122-123Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 3 P. 23
  2. Feb 4, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2025 02:30 pm LOB 306-308
  3. Feb 11, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/11/2025 10:10 am LOB 306-308
  4. Feb 14, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/14/2025 09:30 am LOB 306-308
  5. Feb 21, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/21/2025 09:30 am LOB 302-304
  6. Mar 7, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 03/07/2025 01:00 pm LOB 306-308
  7. Mar 14, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 03/14/2025 09:00 am LOB 306-308
  8. Mar 18, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/18/2025 10:00 am LOB 306-308
  9. Mar 18, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 03/18/2025 09:00 am LOB 307
  10. Mar 18, 2025HouseRetained in Committee
  11. Sep 16, 2025HousePublic Hearing on non-germane Amendment # 2025-2935h: 09/16/2025 10:00 am GP 158
  12. Sep 16, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 09/16/2025 10:15 am GP 158
  13. Sep 16, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2935h (NT) 09/16/2025 (Vote 10-7; RC) HC 51 P. 31
  14. Nov 18, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  15. Jan 7, 2026HouseRecommit (Rep. Berry): MA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 163
  16. Mar 3, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0972h 03/03/2026 (Vote 9-8; RC) HC 10 P. 40
  17. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  18. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0972h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 143
  19. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0972h: MA DV 178-152 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 144
  20. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 7
  21. Mar 31, 2026SenHearing: 03/31/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 01:45 pm; SC 12
  22. Apr 16, 2026Sen: Referred to Interim Study, 04/16/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 14
  23. Apr 16, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 04/16/2026; SJ 9

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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