SB 44 (2026): relative to hand counts of ballots in elections.

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MLA: “SB 44 (2026): relative to hand counts of ballots in elections.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/sb44. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
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BibTeX: @misc{bill-2026-sb44, title = {SB 44 (2026): relative to hand counts of ballots in elections.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/sb44}, note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026} }

SB 44 (2026)

relative to hand counts of ballots in elections.

Status: Killed
Term: 2025-2026
House committee: Election Law
Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
Subject: Elections

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 January 21, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2025-0730s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-0730s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 13, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 13, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote 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 83 people signed in online: 4 in support and 79 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on May 27, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. 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 kill it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On January 7, 2026 the House voted to kill it on a voice vote.

Hearings and Sessions

January 21, 2025, 9:30 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, LOB 103
March 13, 2025: floor debate, Senate
April 22, 2025, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
May 27, 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

Votes

March 13, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-0730s — voice vote, passed
January 7, 2026, House: Inexpedient to Legislate — voice vote, passed

The Docket

January 9, 2025: Introduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs
January 21, 2025: Hearing: 01/21/2025, Room 103, LOB, 09:30 am
March 13, 2025: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0730s, 03/13/2025; Vote 5-0; CC
March 13, 2025: Committee Amendment # 2025-0730s, AA, VV; 03/13/2025
March 13, 2025: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-0730s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/13/2025
March 27, 2025: Introduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Election Law
April 22, 2025: Public Hearing: 04/22/2025 10:00 am LOB 306-308
April 29, 2025: ==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 04/29/2025 10:00 am LOB 306-308
May 27, 2025: Executive Session: 05/27/2025 10:00 am LOB 306-308
May 27, 2025: Retained in Committee
September 16, 2025: Executive Session: 09/16/2025 10:15 am GP 158
September 16, 2025: Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 09/16/2025 (Vote 17-0; CC)
January 7, 2026: Inexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 01/07/2026

Laws It Would Change

RSA 659