Revision: April 23, 2026, 10:58 a.m.
HB 1306 - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
11Mar2026... 0635h
04/23/2026 1506s
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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.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 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.