Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee
Jessica Bourque 271-2104
HB 1601-FN, requiring the secretary of state to create a voter education program that includes information on recent changes to voting laws.
Hearing Date: March 31, 2026
Time Opened: 9:25 a.m. Time Closed: 9:40 a.m.
Members of the Committee Present: Senators Gray, Lang, Rochefort, Perkins Kwoka and Long
Members of the Committee Absent : None
Bill Analysis: This bill requires the secretary of state to create a voter education program that includes information on recent changes to voting laws.
Sponsors:
Rep. Wilhelm | Rep. Berry |
|
________________________________________________________________________________
Who supports the bill: 132 people signed in to support the bill. For a complete list of names, please contact committee aide, Jessica Bourque at jessica.bourque@gc.nh.gov
Who opposes the bill: 3 people signed in opposed to the bill. For a complete list of names, please contact committee aide, Jessica Bourque at jessica.bourque@gc.nh.gov
Who is neutral on the bill: David Scanlan, Secretary of State
Summary of testimony presented:
Representative Matt Wilhelm, Hillsborough - District 21
- Directs the Secretary of State (SOS) to create a voter education program to educate voters on recent changes in election law.
- Some of those changes include what documentation is acceptable.
- Voters should clearly understand the laws that affect them before they arrive to vote.
- This is fiscally responsible, utilizing $50,000 of the funds from the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). There is no impact on the state’s general fund.
- This is about transparency, clarity, and fairness. When voters understand the rules, elections run more smoothly, and public trust in our democratic process grows.
Chase Eagleson, NH Council on Developmental Disabilities
- Supports this bill.
- Asked the legislature to use straightforward, plain language and promote it in both digital and print formats once this program begins.
Liz Tentarelli, League of Women Voters
- They do a lot of voter education. Often, they will boost the Facebook page of the SOS.
- Encourages the use of these funds to enhance SOS information through methods beyond social media.
Linda Bundy, Antrim
- 244 NH voters were unable to vote in the last election and described several of those cases.
- Supervisors expressed concern about long lines to vote.
- Believes that there is no longer a guaranteed right to vote because obtaining documents can take weeks.
- If voters had known about the law changes, they may have had time to obtain the documents needed and the requirements.
- Education should be done through a variety of media well in advance of the elections.
Sarah Ortiz, Open Democracy
- Supports this bill.
- This bill seeks to solve the issues where people might show up to vote but don’t know that laws have changed.
- This program will reach many voters and election officials.
- Elections run smoother when everyone understands the current rules.
David Scanlan, NH Secretary of State
- Does not believe this bill is necessary; they now have a media outreach person, and they have a substantial presence on social media. He also speaks with groups weekly.
- A key aspect of voter education involves training election officials, and efforts are underway to expand this training.
- Has strong working relationships with NH media.
- Doesn’t know what else can be done beyond what they already do.
Senator Perkins Kwoka said that postcards were the plan to inform voters of the new laws and asked if that is still the plan.
Secretary Scanlan confirmed that the plan remains in place and that it is a big undertaking.
Senator Lang said he sees the effort the SOS is making, and it is significant and thanked Secretary Scanlan.
jab
Date Hearing Report completed: April 3, 2026