HB 323 (2026): requiring the presentation of a government-issued photographic means of identification in order to vote.

HB 323 (2026)

requiring the presentation of a government-issued photographic means of identification in order to vote.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Election Law
• Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
• Subject: Elections
• Chapter law: 20

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 11, 2025, with 878 people signed in online: 67 in support and 811 in opposition. The committee held work sessions on February 14, 2025, February 21, 2025 and March 7, 2025. The committee met in executive session on March 11, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee held a work session on March 14, 2025. The committee met in executive session on March 18, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee held a work session on 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 majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-2940h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 10–7. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-2940h) 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 roll call 190–148. 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 10, 2026. The committee voted 3–1 to recommend that the Senate pass it. On March 5, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it and ordered it to a third reading. The bill was enrolled on March 26, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on April 3, 2026, making it Chapter 20 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Donald McFarlane (R - Graf 18) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Ross Berry (R - Hills 44)
• Rep. John Sellers (R - Graf 10)
• Rep. Joe Sweeney (R - Rock 25)
• Rep. Jeanine Notter (R - Hills 12)
• Rep. Julius Soti (R - Rock 35)
• Rep. James Spillane (R - Rock 2)
• Rep. Jordan Ulery (R - Hills 13)
• Rep. Katelyn Kuttab (R - Rock 17)
• Sen. Victoria Sullivan (R - SD18)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 11, 2025, 10:30 AM: public hearing, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• February 14, 2025, 9:30 AM: subcommittee work session, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• February 21, 2025, 9:30 AM: subcommittee work session, House Election Law, LOB 302-304
• March 7, 2025, 1:00 PM: subcommittee work session, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• March 11, 2025, 9:00 AM: executive session, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• March 14, 2025, 9:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• March 18, 2025, 9:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Election Law, LOB 307
• 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: floor debate, House
• February 10, 2026, 9:35 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, SH 122-123
• March 5, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• January 7, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 190, nays 148, passed
• March 5, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — yeas 16, nays 8, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 659:13

Related Bills

• HB 595-FN (2013): relative to photo identification of voters.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 51, page 31
• HJ 1, pages 158 and 160
• SC 5
• SC 8
• SJ 5
• HJ 9, page 2
• SJ 8