HB 288 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES
20Mar2025... 0349h
2025 SESSION
25-0646
07/08
HOUSE BILL 288
AN ACT limiting how far in advance of an election an absentee ballot may be requested.
SPONSORS: Rep. Wherry, Hills. 13; Rep. Burnham, Straf. 2; Rep. Wood, Merr. 13
COMMITTEE: Election Law
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill limits how far in advance an absentee ballot may be requested. Federal law requires that UOCAVA voters complete a new federal official post card no earlier than January of the calendar year in which a federal election occurs. Other applications for absentee ballots are limited to no earlier than 6 months prior to the election.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
20Mar2025... 0349h 25-0646
07/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
AN ACT limiting how far in advance of an election an absentee ballot may be requested.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Elections; Absentee Voting; Procedure by Applicant. Amend RSA 657:6 to read as follows:
657:6 Procedure by Applicant. An application form for an absentee ballot shall be mailed or delivered to any person who applies therefor to the secretary of state or to any town or city clerk. It shall be filled out by the applicant and sent to the clerk of the town or city in which he or she desires to vote. Alternatively, a person may apply for an official absentee ballot by sending to said clerk a written statement containing the information required by RSA 657:4, I or by the federal official post card form for UOCAVA voters as described under RSA 654:20. The federal official post card forms shall be received no earlier than January of the calendar year in which the election occurs. All other application forms shall be received or postmarked within 6 months of the election for which the absentee ballot is being requested. Except for the federal official post card forms, any application received or postmarked prior to the 6-month period shall not be accepted by the secretary of state or any town or city clerk.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Feb. 13, 2025 | 2025-0349h |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 4, 2025 | House | Hearing |
| Feb. 11, 2025 | House | Exec Session |
| Feb. 11, 2025 | House | Floor Vote |
| April 15, 2025 | Senate | Hearing |
| April 24, 2025 | Senate | Floor Vote |
May 1, 2025: Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/01/2025; SJ 11
April 16, 2025: Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/01/2025; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 19
April 9, 2025: Hearing: 04/15/2025, Room 103, LOB, 09:15 am; SC 17
March 24, 2025: Introduced 03/20/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 9
March 20, 2025: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0349h: MA VV 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 43
March 20, 2025: Amendment # 2025-0349h: AA VV 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 43
Feb. 14, 2025: Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
Feb. 14, 2025: Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0349h (NT) 02/11/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC)
Feb. 7, 2025: Executive Session: 02/11/2025 10:10 am LOB 306-308
Jan. 29, 2025: Public Hearing: 02/04/2025 01:00 pm LOB 306-308
Jan. 7, 2025: Introduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 2 P. 13