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New HampshireHB4812025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

(New Title) relative to the state primary date.

Sponsored By: Kris Schultz (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Tighter window to change party

If you are already registered to vote, you cannot change party from the first Wednesday in March through the day before the state primary. Supervisors of the checklist must hold a session on the Tuesday before the first Wednesday in March from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. They may extend hours. These rules start January 1, 2026.

June meetings for Ballot Commission

The Ballot Law Commission meets on the third Thursday in June in each general election year. It also meets on the third Friday after the presidential primary when needed. This schedule applies starting January 1, 2026.

Primary candidate filing and petitions

To appear on a party primary ballot, a candidate must be a registered member of that party when filing. The candidate must meet age and domicile rules by the general election and all other rules at filing. The filing window runs from the first Wednesday in March through the Friday of the next week. Petition forms now match the June primary schedule and require a sworn statement on residency and party. The form repeats penalties: a class A misdemeanor for false registration or voting (up to 1 year in jail and up to a $2,000 fine) and a civil penalty up to $5,000 for fraudulent registration or voting. Officials must review petitions promptly and give written reasons if they reject them. If rejected, candidates may file supplementary petitions no later than the third Wednesday in March. These changes start January 1, 2026.

State primary moves to June

The state primary now happens on the second Tuesday in June in even-numbered years. It replaces the old September date. The law takes effect January 1, 2026. Voters and local officials follow this new election calendar starting in 2026.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kris Schultz

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Alicia C Gregg

    Democratic • House

  • Timothy Lang

    Republican • Senate

  • Michael I Moffett

    Republican • House

  • Ross Berry

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Enrolled (in recess of) 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 82

    7/21/2026House

  2. Signed by Governor Ayotte 05/08/2026; Chapter 44; eff. 01/01/2028

    5/12/2026House

  3. Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 04/23/2026); SJ 11

    4/28/2026Senate

  4. House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-3068s (Rep. Berry): MA VV 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 8

    4/9/2026House

  5. Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-3068s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/07/2026; SJ 1

    1/7/2026Senate

  6. Committee Amendment # 2025-3068s, AA, VV; 01/07/2026; SJ 1

    1/7/2026Senate

  7. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-3068s, 01/07/2026, Vote 5-0; SC 46

    11/3/2025Senate

  8. Rereferred to Committee, MA, VV; 05/15/2025; SJ 13

    5/15/2025Senate

  9. Committee Report: Rereferred to Committee, 05/15/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 21

    5/7/2025Senate

  10. Hearing: 04/29/2025, Room 103, LOB, 10:30 am; SC 19

    4/23/2025Senate

  11. Introduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 10

    3/28/2025Senate

  12. Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-1360h: MA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 55

    3/26/2025House

  13. FLAM # 2025-1360h (Rep. Berry): AA DV 337-1 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 55

    3/26/2025House

  14. Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate

    3/18/2025House

  15. Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 03/04/2025 (Vote 13-5; RC) HC 17 P. 29

    3/18/2025House

  16. Executive Session: 03/04/2025 01:00 pm LOB 306-308

    2/27/2025House

  17. Public Hearing: 02/25/2025 11:00 am LOB 306-308

    2/20/2025House

  18. Introduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 3 P. 12

    1/13/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/28/2026

    HTML

  • Introduced

    1/13/2025

    PDF

  • CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION

    PDF

  • Version adopted by both bodies

    PDF

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