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New HampshireSB2182025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

SB218

Sponsored By: James P. Gray (Republican)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Easier absentee voting, including storms

The law updates the absentee affidavit and return steps. Affidavit envelopes now list allowed reasons and add a weather option for the Monday before an election when the National Weather Service issues a winter storm, blizzard, or ice storm warning for your town or ward. After you mark your ballot, you must seal it in the inner (affidavit) envelope and sign the affidavit. If someone helps a blind voter or a voter with a disability, the helper must also sign. If you mail it, put the sealed affidavit envelope inside the outer envelope, add postage, and write the voter’s name, address, and voting place on it. If you deliver it in person or by a delivery agent, you do not need an outer envelope.

Faster absentee processing and cures

The law adds clear cure steps and faster processing for absentee ballots. If a clerk refuses to certify an absentee application, the clerk must write within 7 days, send a ballot, and explain which registration papers are missing. The clerk marks the materials “Not Registered,” may open mailed outer envelopes with that mark to look for cure papers, and accepts documents by mail or in person. Papers in by the legal checklist‑correction deadline go to the supervisors to register the voter; later papers are handled as election‑day registrations. Clerks attach each application to its ballot envelope, follow the Secretary of State’s error‑fix directions, and keep envelopes sealed until processing. Moderators may preprocess on the Friday through Monday before election day after public notice. They may open outer envelopes and review affidavits but must not open affidavit envelopes. They compare signatures, protect privacy for protected voters, and follow challenge rules when needed. The law repeals the old outer‑envelope opening statute and uses these updated procedures.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • James P. Gray

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor on 08/01/2025; Chapter 0298; Effective 09/30/2025

    8/4/2025Senate

  2. Enrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 64

    7/16/2025House

  3. Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18

    7/16/2025Senate

  4. Conference Committee Report # 2025-2835c, Adopted, VV; 06/26/2025; SJ 17

    6/26/2025Senate

  5. Conference Committee Report 2025-2835c: Adopted, VV 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 7

    6/26/2025House

  6. Conference Committee Report # 2025-2835c Filed 06/19/2025; House Amendment + New Amendment HJ 18 P. 7

    6/19/2025House

  7. Conferee Change; Senator Rochefort Replaces Senator Perkins Kwoka; SJ 17

    6/18/2025Senate

  8. ==RECONVENE== Committee of Conference Meeting: 06/18/2025, 09:02 am, Room 103, SH

    6/16/2025Senate

  9. ==RECESSED== Committee of Conference Meeting: 06/16/2025, 09:12 am, Room 103, SH

    6/12/2025Senate

  10. President Appoints: Senators Gray, Lang, Perkins Kwoka; (In Recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16

    6/11/2025Senate

  11. Sen. Gray Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C, MA, VV; (In Recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16

    6/11/2025Senate

  12. Speaker Appoints: Reps. Berry, Qualey, Burnham, Guzofski 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 172

    6/11/2025House

  13. House Accedes to Senate Request for CofC (Rep. Kofalt): MA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 172

    6/11/2025House

  14. Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-2407h: MA RC 192-149 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 128

    6/5/2025House

  15. Amendment # 2025-2407h (NT): AA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 125

    6/5/2025House

  16. Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2407h (NT) 05/27/2025 (Vote 10-7; RC) HC 27 P. 19

    5/28/2025House

  17. Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate

    5/28/2025House

  18. Executive Session: 05/27/2025 10:00 am LOB 306-308

    5/14/2025House

  19. ==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 04/29/2025 10:00 am LOB 306-308

    4/8/2025House

  20. Public Hearing: 04/22/2025 10:40 am LOB 306-308

    4/8/2025House

  21. Introduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 11 P. 113

    3/28/2025House

  22. Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/13/2025; SJ 7

    3/13/2025Senate

  23. Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/13/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 12

    3/7/2025Senate

  24. Hearing: 03/04/2025, Room 103, LOB, 10:00 am; SC 11

    2/18/2025Senate

  25. Introduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 3

    1/23/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    7/16/2025

    HTML

  • Introduced

    1/23/2025

    PDF

  • CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION

    PDF

  • Version adopted by both bodies

    PDF

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