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SB 223 · 2026 · Senate · Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee

Stricter photo ID for voting

AI-generated

(Second New Title) relative valid photo identification for purposes of obtaining a ballot and relative to the production of lists of certain schools of higher education.

Limits voter identification at the polls to only the specific photo ID forms listed in statute and repeals the requirement that the education department supply the secretary of state a list of certain higher education schools.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 9, 2026
  1. Introduced
  2. Senate
  3. House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill provides for in-state tuition at any institution in the university system of New Hampshire or the community college system for any person who is registered to vote in this state. The bill also removes college or university identification cards from valid photo identification for obtaining a ballot.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Victoria SullivanRPrimeVice Chair· Education
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Rep. Kimberly RiceRVice Chair· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Jeanine NotterRAssistant Majority Leader
  • Rep. Michael MoffettRChair· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Public testimony

210 signed in online · 54 wrote testimony

4% support96% oppose0% neutral

AgainstBill suppresses/discourages student and youth voting

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

This bill would severely restrict voting by many of the most educated citizens who have the most to lose in their futures.
Bill Black, Hanoveropposes
There is no reason not to accept a student photo I D for voter verification; there is solid verified evidence that there is not a voter fraud issue. This would only prevent otherwise eligible voters from voting.
Mary Livingston, Langdonopposes
This bill prohibits student identification cards from being used as photo identification for purposes of obtaining a ballot. This puts undue stress and strain on students who are qualified to vote. I oppose this bill.
Rozlyn Levine, Hopkintonopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-02-119:15 amSenate Election Law and Municipal AffairsLOB 103Public hearing
  • 2026-03-3110:00 amHouse Election LawGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-05-0510:00 amHouse Election LawGP 158Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 3
  2. Feb 11, 2025SenHearing: 02/11/2025, Room 103, LOB, 10:00 am; SC 9
  3. Mar 6, 2025Sen: Rereferred to Committee, 03/06/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
  4. Mar 6, 2025SenRereferred to Committee, MA, VV; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
  5. Jan 7, 2026Sen: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; 01/07/2026; SC 46
  6. Jan 7, 2026SenSB 223 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 01/07/2026; SJ 1
  7. Jan 7, 2026SenSpecial Order to the Next Session, Without Objection; 01/07/2026; SJ 1
  8. Jan 29, 2026SenCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate, 01/29/2026, Vote 5-0; SC 3
  9. Jan 29, 2026SenInexpedient to Legislate, MF, VV; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  10. Jan 29, 2026SenSen. Sullivan Moved Ought to Pass; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  11. Jan 29, 2026SenSen. Sullivan Floor Amendment # 2026-0189s, AA, VV; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  12. Jan 29, 2026SenSen. Gray Waived Referral to Finance; Without Objection, MA; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  13. Jan 29, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0189s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  14. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Election Law HJ 5 P. 124
  15. Mar 31, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/31/2026 10:00 am GP 158
  16. May 5, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 05/05/2026 10:00 am GP 158
  17. May 5, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1829h (NT) 05/05/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 19 P. 22
  18. May 6, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  19. May 14, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1829h: AA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 69
  20. May 14, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1829h: MA RC 187-157 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 70
  21. May 21, 2026SenSen. Gray Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, RC 14Y-8N, MA; 05/21/2026; SJ 13
  22. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  23. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  24. Jul 2, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 243; Effective 08/31/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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