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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 requires that only the forms of identification listed in RSA 659:13, II(a) be used to satisfy voter identification requirements.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“A valid photo identification shall show the name of the individual to whom the identification was issued, and the name shall substantially conform to the name in the individual's voter registration record; it also shall show a photograph of the individual to whom the identification was issued.”
Section 243:1
“RSA 21-N:4, VII, relative to the duty of the commissioner of the department of education to provide a list of certain schools operating in New Hampshire to the secretary of state, is repealed.”
Section 243:2
“The photo identification shall also have an expiration date that has not been exceeded by a period of more than 5 years, except that a voter 65 years of age or older may use an otherwise qualified form of identification without regard to expiration date.”
Section 243:1
“Only the following forms of identification bearing a photograph of the voter shall satisfy the identification requirements of paragraph I:”
Section 243:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 6, 2025SenateCommittee report: Rereferred to Committee5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 6, 2025SenateVoice voteRereferred to Committeeadopted
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 29, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 29, 2026SenateVoice voteInexpedient to Legislatefailed
  • Jan 29, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Sullivan Floor Amendment # 2026-0189sadopted
  • Jan 29, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0189sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 5, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1829h (NT)10–8
    Overall
    56% yea
  • May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-1829hadopted
  • May 14, 2026HouseRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1829hAdopted187–157How they voted
    Overall
    54% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    186–199% yea
    Democrats
    1–1561% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 21, 2026SenateRoll callSen. Gray Moved to Concur with the House AmendmentAdopted14–8How they voted
    Overall
    64% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    14–0100% yea
    Democrats
    0–80% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 11, 2025Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs1:42:51–1:44:111m 20slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Rereferred to Committee; Rereferred to Committee — adopted, voice vote
  • Jan 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnamed in a list of bills, not taken up — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; SB 223 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; Special Order to the Next Session, Without Objection
  • Jan 29, 2026Floor debateSenate floor1:59:30–2:01:121m 42slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Inexpedient to Legislate — failed, voice vote; Sen. Sullivan Moved Ought to Pass
  • Mar 31, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law1:18–16:0914m 51slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • May 5, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law28:21–30:171m 56slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1829h (NT) — roll call; Executive Session
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:50:24–4:51:311m 7slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1829h — adopted, roll call 187-157; Amendment # 2026-1829h — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateSenate floor27:57–30:402m 43slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Gray Moved to Concur with the House Amendment — adopted, roll call 14-8
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

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.