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- ✓Introduced
- ✓Senate
- ✓House
- ✓Governor
- ✓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. 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 argumentsIn 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.”
“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.”
“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.”
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
- Jan 9, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 3
- Feb 11, 2025SenHearing: 02/11/2025, Room 103, LOB, 10:00 am; SC 9
- Mar 6, 2025Sen: Rereferred to Committee, 03/06/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
- Mar 6, 2025SenRereferred to Committee, MA, VV; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
- Jan 7, 2026Sen: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; 01/07/2026; SC 46
- Jan 7, 2026SenSB 223 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 01/07/2026; SJ 1
- Jan 7, 2026SenSpecial Order to the Next Session, Without Objection; 01/07/2026; SJ 1
- Jan 29, 2026SenCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate, 01/29/2026, Vote 5-0; SC 3
- Jan 29, 2026SenInexpedient to Legislate, MF, VV; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
- Jan 29, 2026SenSen. Sullivan Moved Ought to Pass; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
- Jan 29, 2026SenSen. Sullivan Floor Amendment # 2026-0189s, AA, VV; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
- Jan 29, 2026SenSen. Gray Waived Referral to Finance; Without Objection, MA; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
- Jan 29, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0189s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
- Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Election Law HJ 5 P. 124
- Mar 31, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/31/2026 10:00 am GP 158
- May 5, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 05/05/2026 10:00 am GP 158
- May 5, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1829h (NT) 05/05/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 19 P. 22
- May 6, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
- May 14, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1829h: AA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 69
- May 14, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1829h: MA RC 187-157 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 70
- May 21, 2026SenSen. Gray Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, RC 14Y-8N, MA; 05/21/2026; SJ 13
- Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
- Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
- Jul 2, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 243; Effective 08/31/2026
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
- Introducedversion
- As Amended by the Senateversion
- As Amended by the Houseversion
- Adopted by both chambersversion
- Chaptered (final law)version
- Amendment 2026-1829hamendment
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.