Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.
HB1306 • 2026
relative to the counting of absentee ballots.
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.
relative to the counting of absentee ballots.
These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.
Plain English: Amendment #2026-0635h : AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 157 1
Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026
Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
Enrolled Bill Amendment #2026-2174e : AA VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15
Enrolled Bill Amendment #2026-2174e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
Conference Committee Report 2026-2110c: Adopted, DV 205-144 06/04/2026 HJ 15
Conference Committee Report #2026-2110c , Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
Conference Committee Meeting: 05/28/2026 10:00 am GP 228
Conferee Change: Rep. See Replaces Rep. Qualey 05/28/2026 HJ 14
Conference Committee Report Filed, #2026-2110c ; 06/04/2026
Conference Committee Meeting: 05/27/2026 10:20 am GP 228
Sen. Gray Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; 05/21/2026; SJ 13
President Appoints: Senators Gray, Lang, Perkins Kwoka; 05/21/2026; SJ 13
House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1506s and Requests CofC (Rep. Berry): MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11
Speaker Appoints: Reps. Berry, Qualey, Burnham, Lane 04/23/2026 HJ 11
Committee Amendment #2026-1506s , AA, VV; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1506s , MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1506s , 04/23/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 15
Hearing: 04/01/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:45 pm; SC 12
Introduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 7
Amendment #2026-0635h : AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 157
Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0635h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 157
Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0635h 03/03/2026 (Vote 13-4; RC) HC 10 P. 42
Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
Executive Session: 03/03/2026 10:00 am GP 158
Public Hearing: 01/27/2026 02:00 pm GP 158
Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Election Law HJ 1 P. 14
relative to the counting of absentee ballots.
HB 1306 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 11Mar2026... 0635h 04/23/2026 1506s 4Jun2026... 2110CofC 4Jun2026... 2174EBA 2026 SESSION 26-2881 08/05 HOUSE BILL 1306 AN ACT relative to the counting of absentee ballots. SPONSORS: Rep. Burnham, Straf. 2; Rep. Wood, Merr. 13; Rep. Wherry, Hills. 13; Rep. DeRoy, Straf. 3; Sen. Gray, Dist 6 COMMITTEE: Election Law ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── AMENDED ANALYSIS This bill creates the absentee ballot certificate and requires certain counts of absentee ballots to be performed by the clerk and recorded on the absentee ballot certificate. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics. Matter removed from current law appears [ in brackets and struckthrough. ] Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type. 11Mar2026... 0635h 04/23/2026 1506s 4Jun2026... 2110CofC 4Jun2026... 2174EBA 26-2881 08/05 STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six AN ACT relative to the counting of absentee ballots. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Absentee Ballot Certificate. Amend RSA 657 by inserting after section 23 the following new section: 657:23-a Absentee Ballot Certificate. I. The secretary of state shall prepare and distribute to each town or ward clerk 2 copies of the absentee ballot certificate. When the absentee ballots are counted, the clerk shall certify on the certificate the total number of absentee ballots received, as well as all counts required under paragraph II. One copy shall be retained by the clerk for his or her records; and one copy shall be forwarded by the clerk to the secretary of state within 72 hours of the close of elections. II. Absentee ballots shall be counted for the following: (a) Total absentee ballots received by the clerk. (b) Total number of absentee ballots mailed/delivered by the clerk. (c) Total number of absentee ballots spoiled before the opening of the polls. (d) Total number of absentee ballots emailed to UOCAVA voters. (e) Total number of absentee ballots remaining before the opening of the polls. 2 Pre-Election Certificate. Amend RSA 658:32 to read as follows: 658:32 Pre-Election Certificate. The secretary of state shall prepare and distribute to each town or ward clerk 3 copies of the pre-election certificate. When the ballots are counted, the moderator and clerk shall certify thereon the total number of official and absentee ballots received. One copy shall be retained by the moderator for his or her records; one copy shall be retained by the clerk for his or her records, and one copy shall be forwarded by the clerk to the secretary of state with the election returns pursuant to RSA 659:75. 3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.