Bill Text - SB287 (2025)

Requiring applicants for absentee ballots to present a copy of their photo identification with their application.


Revision: June 5, 2025, 5:45 p.m.

SB 287 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

 

5Jun2025... 2414h

2025 SESSION

25-1097

08/02

 

SENATE BILL 287

 

AN ACT requiring applicants for absentee ballots to present a copy of their photo identification with their application.

 

SPONSORS: Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. McGough, Dist 11; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Gray, Dist 6; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Gannon, Dist 23; Sen. Sullivan, Dist 18; Rep. Hill, Merr. 2; Rep. Moffett, Merr. 4

 

COMMITTEE: Election Law and Municipal Affairs

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

 

AMENDED ANALYSIS

 

This bill requires applicants for absentee ballots to present a copy of their photo identification with their application or present a notarized application before receiving an absentee ballot.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

5Jun2025... 2414h 25-1097

08/02

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five

 

AN ACT requiring applicants for absentee ballots to present a copy of their photo identification with their application.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  New Section; Pre-Election Procedure; Verification of Mail-In Absentee Voter.  Amend RSA 657 by inserting after section 17-b the following new section:

657:17-c Verification of Absentee Ballot Applicant.  

I. Every applicant for an absentee ballot shall provide verification before being issued an absentee ballot. Verification shall be satisfied by one of the following methods:  

(a) Including a copy of the voter's photo identification with the absentee ballot application. The identification shall meet the requirements of RSA 659:13, II(a);

(b) Including a notarized signature on the absentee ballot application form; or

(c) Personally presenting a qualifying photo identification, as defined in RSA 659:13, II(a), to the city or town clerk or their designee prior to the issuance of the absentee ballot.

II. No absentee ballot shall be issued unless one of the verification methods under paragraph I has been satisfied.

2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.