HB 281 (2026): requiring electronic voter checklists to be supplied in a sortable format.

HB 281 (2026)

requiring electronic voter checklists to be supplied in a sortable format.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Election Law
• Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
• Subject: Elections
• Chapter law: 283

The Story

It was introduced on January 8, 2025 and referred to the House Election Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 18, 2025, with 28 people signed in online: 23 in support and 5 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 11, 2025 and March 18, 2025. The committee retained the bill, holding it for further work rather than reporting it out this year. The committee met in executive session on September 16, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 17–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-2939h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-2939h) was adopted on a voice vote on January 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On January 7, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on January 29, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 17, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 4–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1020s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1020s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 12, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 12, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On April 23, 2026 the House adopted “House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1020s and Requests CofC” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Ross Berry. On May 7, 2026 the Senate adopted “Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference” on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. James Gray. A committee of conference met on May 27, 2026 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill. The Senate adopted the conference report (2026-2095c) on a voice vote. On June 4, 2026 the House adopted the conference report (2026-2095c) on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on July 10, 2026, making it Chapter 283 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Robert Wherry (R - Hills 13) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Clayton Wood (R - Merr 13)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 18, 2025, 11:00 AM: public hearing, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• March 11, 2025, 9:00 AM: executive session, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• March 18, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• September 16, 2025, 10:15 AM: executive session, House Election Law, GP 158
• January 7, 2026: consent calendar, House
• February 17, 2026, 9:30 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, SH 122-123
• March 12, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• April 23, 2026: floor debate, House
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• May 27, 2026, 9:10 AM: committee of conference, GP 228

Votes

• January 7, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-2939h — voice vote, passed
• March 12, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1020s — voice vote, passed
• April 23, 2026, House: House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1020s and Requests CofC — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference — voice vote, passed
• May 29, 2026, Senate: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed
• June 4, 2026, House: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 657:15

Related Bills

• HB 1126 (2024): relative to candidate requests for absentee ballot information.
• HB 1126 (2024): relative to candidate requests for absentee ballot information.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 51, page 8
• HJ 1, page 50
• SC 6
• SC 9
• SJ 6
• HJ 11, page 83
• SJ 12
• HJ 14, page 35
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, pages 12 and 56
• SJ 15