SB 287 (2025): requiring applicants for absentee ballots to present a copy of their photo identification with their application.

SB 287 (2025)

requiring applicants for absentee ballots to present a copy of their photo identification with their application.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Election Law
• Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
• Subject: State Government
• Chapter law: 302

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 11, 2025. The committee voted 3–2 to recommend that the Senate pass it. On March 27, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on March 27, 2025 and was referred to the House Election Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 22, 2025, with 341 people signed in online: 10 in support, 330 in opposition and 1 as neutral. The committee met in executive session on May 27, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-2414h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 10–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-2414h) was adopted on a roll call 184–146 on June 5, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On June 5, 2025 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 187–149. On June 5, 2025 the Senate voted to reject the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. James Gray. On June 5, 2025 the House adopted “House Accedes to Senate Request for CofC” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Jim Kofalt. On June 26, 2025 the House adopted the conference report (2025-2797c) on a voice vote. On June 26, 2025 the Senate adopted the conference report (2025-2797c) on a roll call 16–8. The bill was enrolled on June 26, 2025 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on August 1, 2025, making it Chapter 302 of the session laws. It took effect on September 30, 2025.

Sponsors

• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Tim McGough (R - SD11)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Sen. Victoria Sullivan (R - SD18)
• Sen. Keith Murphy (R - SD16)
• Sen. James Gray (R - SD6)
• Rep. Gregory Hill (R - Merr 2)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Rep. Michael Moffett (R - Merr 4)

Hearings and Sessions

• March 11, 2025, 9:30 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, LOB 103
• March 27, 2025: floor debate, Senate
• April 22, 2025, 2:40 PM: public hearing, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• May 27, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• June 5, 2025: floor debate, House
• June 16, 2025, 9:13 AM: committee of conference, SH 103

Votes

• March 27, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass — yeas 16, nays 8, passed
• June 5, 2025, House: Adopt Amendment — yeas 184, nays 146, passed
• June 5, 2025, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 187, nays 149, passed
• June 5, 2025, Senate: Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C — voice vote, passed
• June 5, 2025, House: House Accedes to Senate Request for CofC — voice vote, passed
• June 26, 2025, House: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 657

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SC 12
• SC 14
• HC 27, page 20