Revision: Feb. 17, 2026, 1:44 p.m.
Rep. Lane, Merr. 16
Rep. Berry, Hills. 44
Rep. Wilhelm, Hills. 21
Rep. Qualey, Ches. 18
February 17, 2026
2026-0771h
04/08
Floor Amendment to HB 1600-FN
Amend RSA 654:12, VI as inserted by section 1 of the bill by replacing it with the following:
VI. The department of state shall provide access to data from centralized voter registration records, records from the department of safety, and New Hampshire vital records provided in accordance with RSA 654:45 to assist voters in providing proof of citizenship, age, domicile, and identity to the city and town clerks. The secretary of state shall work with the city and town clerks to ensure access on election day at the polling location to the statewide centralized voter registration database on each state, local, and federal election day during the operating hours of that polling place. If proof of age, citizenship, domicile, or identity information of a voter is provided pursuant to this section, it shall satisfy that registration requirement for that qualification. Absence of data shall not disqualify a person. It shall be the applicant's responsibility to provide appropriate additional proof of their qualifications as required by this chapter.
Amend RSA 654:45, II as inserted by section 2 of the bill by replacing it with the following:
II. Any election official in the state authorized by this chapter to have direct access to the voter database may obtain immediate electronic access to the information contained in the voter database related to individuals registered or registering to vote in the election official's jurisdiction. The office of the clerk is hereby designated as a database access point for each town or city. The secretary of state may authorize additional database access points in a town or city, including election day access points at polling places during the operational hours of the polling place.
Amend RSA 654:45, IV(a)(1) as inserted by section 2 of the bill by replacing it with the following:
(1) An electronic communications system that provides access for election officials from at least one point in each city and town within the state.
Amend RSA 654:45, VIII(c) as inserted by section 2 of the bill by replacing it with the following:
(c) Upon completion of any investigation authorized under RSA 654:45, VIII(b), the attorney general and the secretary of state shall forward a report summarizing the results of the investigation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the majority and minority leaders of the house of representatives and the senate, and the chairpersons of the appropriate house and senate standing committees with jurisdiction over election law.
Amend the bill by replacing section 4 with the following:
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 30, 2026.
2026-0771h
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill requires the secretary of state, town, and city clerks to ensure that each polling place in the state has direct electronic access to the statewide centralized voter registration database on each state, local, and federal election day during the operating hours of that polling place.