HB 1306 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES
11Mar2026... 0635h
04/23/2026 1506s
4Jun2026... 2110CofC
2026 SESSION
26-2881
08/05
HOUSE BILL 1306
AN ACT relative to the counting of absentee ballots.
SPONSORS: Rep. Burnham, Straf. 2; Rep. Wood, Merr. 13; Rep. Wherry, Hills. 13; Rep. DeRoy, Straf. 3; Sen. Gray, Dist 6
COMMITTEE: Election Law
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill creates the absentee ballot certificate and requires certain counts of absentee ballots to be performed by the clerk and recorded on the absentee ballot certificate.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
11Mar2026... 0635h
04/23/2026 1506s
4Jun2026... 2110CofC 26-2881
08/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT relative to the counting of absentee ballots.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Absentee Ballot Certificate. Amend RSA 657 by inserting after section 23 the following new section:
657:23-a Absentee Ballot Certificate.
I. The secretary of state shall prepare and distribute to each town or ward clerk 2 copies of the absentee ballot certificate. When the absentee ballots are counted, the clerk shall certify on the certificate the total number of absentee ballots received, as well as all counts required under paragraph II. One copy shall be retained by the clerk for his or her records; and one copy shall be forwarded by the clerk to the secretary of state within 72 hours of the close of elections.
II. Absentee ballots shall be counted for the following:
(a) Total absentee ballots received by the clerk.
(b) Total number of absentee ballots mailed/and delivered by the clerk.
(c) Total number of absentee ballots spoiled before the opening of the polls.
(d) Total number of absentee ballots emailed to UOCAVA voters.
(e) Total number of absentee ballots remaining before the opening of the polls.
2 Pre-Election Certificate. Amend RSA 658:32 to read as follows:
658:32 Pre-Election Certificate. The secretary of state shall prepare and distribute to each town or ward clerk 3 copies of the pre-election certificate. When the ballots are counted, the moderator and clerk shall certify thereon the total number of official and absentee ballots received. One copy shall be retained by the moderator for his or her records; one copy shall be retained by the clerk for his or her records, and one copy shall be forwarded by the clerk to the secretary of state with the election returns pursuant to RSA 659:75.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| March 4, 2026 | 2026-0635h |
| April 14, 2026 | 2026-1506s |
| May 28, 2026 | 2026-2110CofC |
| June 18, 2026 | 2026-2174EBA |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 27, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| March 3, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| March 3, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
| April 1, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
| Senate | Floor Vote | |
| June 4, 2026 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| June 4, 2026 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| June 4, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
June 4, 2026: Conference Committee Report 2026-2110c: Adopted, DV 205-144 06/04/2026 HJ 15
May 29, 2026: Conference Committee Report # 2026-2110c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
May 28, 2026: Conference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2110c; 06/04/2026
May 28, 2026: Conferee Change: Rep. See Replaces Rep. Qualey 05/28/2026 HJ 14
May 28, 2026: Conference Committee Meeting: 05/28/2026 10:00 am GP 228
May 27, 2026: Conference Committee Meeting: 05/27/2026 10:20 am GP 228
May 21, 2026: President Appoints: Senators Gray, Lang, Perkins Kwoka; 05/21/2026; SJ 13
May 21, 2026: Sen. Gray Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; 05/21/2026; SJ 13
May 21, 2026: President Appoints: Senators Gray, Lang, Perkins Kwoka; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
May 21, 2026: Sen. Gray Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
May 6, 2026: Speaker Appoints: Reps. Berry, Qualey, Burnham, Lane 04/23/2026 HJ 11
May 6, 2026: House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1506s and Requests CofC (Rep. Berry): MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11
April 17, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1506s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
April 17, 2026: Committee Amendment # 2026-1506s, AA, VV; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
April 15, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1506s, 04/23/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 15
March 25, 2026: Hearing: 04/01/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:45 pm; SC 12
March 17, 2026: Introduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 7
March 11, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0635h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7
March 11, 2026: Amendment # 2026-0635h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7
March 4, 2026: Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
March 4, 2026: Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0635h 03/03/2026 (Vote 13-4; RC) HC 10 P. 42
Feb. 18, 2026: Executive Session: 03/03/2026 10:00 am GP 158
Jan. 22, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/27/2026 02:00 pm GP 158
Dec. 1, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Election Law HJ 1 P. 14