HB 1678-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-3200
08/06
HOUSE BILL 1678-FN
SPONSORS: Rep. Long, Hills. 26; Sen. Fenton, Dist 10
COMMITTEE: Election Law
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ANALYSIS
This bill allows for qualified voters to register to vote directly with the secretary of state. This bill also requires the secretary of state to create an online portal for direct voter registration.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-3200
08/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Direct and Online Voter Registration. Amend RSA 654 by inserting after section 7-c the following new section:
654:7-d Direct and Online Voter Registration.
I. Beginning January 1, 2026, any person qualified to register to vote under RSA 654:1 may submit a completed voter registration form and supporting documentation directly to the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall forward all such registration materials to the appropriate town or city clerk based on the applicant’s domicile for processing and inclusion on the checklist in accordance with RSA 654:25.
II. By January 1, 2028, the secretary of state shall establish and maintain a secure online portal through which qualified individuals may submit voter registration forms and supporting documentation electronically. The portal shall:
(a) Allow for the secure upload of documents demonstrating identity, age, citizenship, and domicile as required under RSA 654:12;
(b) Provide confirmation of receipt to the applicant; and
(c) Transmit completed applications and documentation to the appropriate municipality for verification and checklist inclusion.
III. The secretary of state shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A to implement the provisions of this section, including standards for document security, data transmission, and verification procedures.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
26-3200
12/9/25
HB 1678-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | None | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | $637,000 | $161,000 | $165,000 | ||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund/Election Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill allows voters to register directly with the Secretary of State and requires the Secretary of State to establish and maintain a secure online portal through which qualified individuals may submit voter registration forms and supporting documentation electronically.
The Department of State indicates that in order to accept and forward voter registrations to local supervisors of the checklist, the Secretary of State’s Office would require one additional Records Control Clerk (see cost breakdown in the table below) and anticipates an additional $10,000 annually in postage expenses.
The Department also estimates the cost of developing a secure online voter registration portal at $426,000 in FY 2027, with ongoing maintenance costs ranging from $40,000 to $84,000 per year. Additionally, a one-time cost of $90,000 is projected for extensive training of clerks and supervisors, as well as for hiring temporary education consultants to assist voters and election officials during the portal’s initial six months of operation. Funding may be available through the Election Fund, depending on the outcome of other legislation; otherwise, the Department would need to request General Funds.
ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT (ROUNDED) | |||
| FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 |
Records Control Clerk (Salary, Benefits, and Other Costs) | $69,000 | $67,000 | $71,000 |
Online Portal (Design, Build, and Testing) | $426,000 | $0 | $0 |
Online Portal Maintenance Fees | $42,000 (6 months) | $84,000 | $84,000 |
Education Consulting Staff/Training | $90,000 | $0 | $0 |
Postage | $10,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
Total Estimated Cost | $637,000 | $161,000 | $165,000 |
Finally, although the bill permits voter registration through the Secretary of State beginning January 1, 2026, the Department states this implementation timeline is not feasible.
It is assumed that any fiscal impact would occur after FY 2026.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of State
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 20, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| Jan. 27, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| Jan. 27, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
Feb. 2, 2026: Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
Feb. 2, 2026: Majority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/27/2026 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 6 P. 13
Jan. 22, 2026: Executive Session: 01/27/2026 10:10 am GP 158
Jan. 14, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/20/2026 01:00 pm GP 158
Dec. 12, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Election Law HJ 1