Amends the absentee ballot application form to require applicants to write their New Hampshire driver's license number or nondriver's identification number on the application.
relative to proof of identification on absentee ballot applications.
HB1277 would let absentee-ballot applicants use their NH driver's license or non-driver ID number to verify their identity instead of getting the application notarized or submitting a photocopy of an ID. Most submissions support the change as a way to remove notarization/copying hurdles for seniors, people with disabilities, and other voters while keeping elections secure, while a smaller group opposes it, arguing added ID requirements would burden voters who lack an NH-issued ID without addressing any documented fraud problem.
Submitters argue that letting voters provide a driver's license or non-driver ID number instead of a notarized document or ID copy removes unnecessary paperwork while still protecting election security, since the license was already verified through the DMV.
“I strongly support this proposal because it removes unnecessary barriers to voting while maintaining election security as all the documentation required is presented to the DMV in order to obtain an ID.”
— Morgan Ventrice, Manchester · #625636 — read full submission →
“HB 1277 allows voters to provide their driver’s license number when applying for an absentee ballot instead of having to obtain notarized paperwork or submit copies of identification.”
— Mary Crook, Stratham · #620207 — read full submission →
Submitters frame the current notary/copy requirements as an unnecessary hurdle that amounts to a form of voter suppression, and argue legislators should be removing barriers to voting rather than adding them.
“Making absentee voters face unnecessary hurdles is just another way to disenfranchise voters. There is no evidence of voter fraud using absentee ballots that comes anywhere close to changing the results of the election.”
— Alison Wilder, kEENE · #619650 — read full submission →
“Adding the extra step of requiring a notary signature to vote absentee is unnecessary and will inhibit many eligible voters from voting. This is a form of voter suppression.”
— Joy Blongewicz, Lebanon · #619125 — read full submission →
Submitters argue that finding and paying for a notary, or making copies, disproportionately burdens elderly, disabled, homebound, low-income, and working voters, and that this bill would ease that burden.
“requiring voters to write a driver’s license or nondriver ID number on an absentee ballot application creates unnecessary barriers for elderly, disabled, low-income, and housing-insecure voters.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchester · #620772 — read full submission →
“As a native NH senior citizen who is also a full-time caregiver for my husband who requires round-the-clock supervision, voting absentee is often my only way to vote.”
— Denise Clark, Milford · #627512 — read full submission →
A couple of submitters, while supportive, emphasize that the state should proactively educate voters about changes to absentee voting requirements so no one is caught off guard.
Submitters argue the bill creates barriers for specific groups such as out-of-state students, the elderly, disabled, low-income, rural, and overseas voters who may lack an NH driver's license or easy access to a notary or copier.
“Students without these specific state documents would be forced to navigate much more difficult hurdles—like finding a notary or physical copying services—just to exercise their right to vote absentee.”
— Michael Courville, Manchester · #612443 — read full submission →
“adding new ID requirements introduces avoidable errors, administrative burdens, and the risk of disenfranchising eligible voters without improving election security.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchester · #620772 — read full submission →
Submitters argue that current absentee-ballot safeguards already work well, that voter fraud is virtually nonexistent, and that the bill adds burden without a demonstrated security benefit.
“We already have requirements for people voting absentee to provide proof of eligibility to vote. With the current requirements we have virtually no voter fraud.”
— Christie Davis, Contoocook · #611133 — read full submission →
“This makes it much harder for those away from home (college students, those living abroad) to vote. There is no need for this is there is no voter fraud.”
— Melanie Kasparian, Hudson · #615396 — read full submission →
A submitter characterizes the bill's true purpose as disenfranchising voters rather than improving election integrity, and criticizes its sponsors accordingly.
A submitter is not opposed to the bill but questions what problem it solves and whether the state actually has voters' ID numbers on file to verify a submitted number.
Generated by claude-sonnet-5 (claude code agent) on Jul 22, 2026. Quotes are verbatim excerpts, verified against the cited submission before publication. Summaries are AI interpretation of the record, not part of it.
As a native NH senior citizen who is also a full-time caregiver for my husband who requires round-the-clock supervision, voting absentee is often my only way to vote. The current restrictions for absentee voting are onerous for me. To be able to provide my drivers' license number for an absentee ballot application would alleviate the burdensome restrictions now in place and allow me to exercise my constitutional right.
I oppose this bill because added identification requirements for absentee ballots will disproportionately impact seniors, people with disabilities, rural residents, and low-income voters. In a state with minimal public transportation, requiring additional in-person or documentation steps risks reducing access to the ballot for those already facing barriers.
Yes, this makes sense.
Please support this important bill so that we can be more efficient.
A driver's license is adequate ID. We need to reduce unnecessary hurdles to voting.
This bill will remove extra cost to the voter which is equivalent to a pole tax which is not giving equal access to voting for everyone.
I strongly support this proposal because it removes unnecessary barriers to voting while maintaining election security as all the documentation required is presented to the DMV in order to obtain an ID. Requiring voters to obtain a notarized document or submit copy of their ID creates real and unequal obstacles. Not everyone has easy access to a notary, a printer, a scanner, or reliable transportation. These requirements disproportionately impact working people, rural voters, people with disabilities, seniors, and voters with limited income. Voting should not depend on a person's access to extra servicers or paperwork. Allowing voters to provide their divers license number is a secure an practical alternative. The state already uses Drivers ID numbers to verify voter identity in other parts of the election process. This approach protects the integrity of elections while making the absentee ballot application process simpler and more accessible. This change does not weaken election security, it modernizes it. It reduces administrative burden, lowers the risk of application errors or delays, and ensures that eligible voters are not discouraged from participating in our democracy due to unnecessary procedural hurdles. Our election system should be both secure and accessible. This proposal achieves both, and for that reason, I urge support.
Poor people need to have good and sufficient food.
Libraries should be controlled by the people and not by the government--to preserve critical thinking and avoid authoritarianism.
This bill removes unnecessary barriers to voting
HB 1277 is a simple, secure update that allows voters to use their driver’s license number instead of notarized paperwork. It protects election integrity while making voting more accessible. Not passing this bill would be to continue discrimantory practices against disavled and elderly populations. NH will be watching how our "represntatives" vote.
It is important that all eligible age voters know the options available to them to cast their vote in a timely manner both at the local, State and Federal levels. New Hampshire welcomes new residents every year and it is important to make sure they have access to current information on how to register to vote, who is eligible to vote and their voting submission options. Thank you
A license number should be adequate for absentee voting. Requiring a notary to be involved directly limits voting rights of disabled adults, who may need this option.
I support providing information on changes to voter laws, especially given the number of new laws being considered. It is outrageous to think that changes to how elections are being run would de facto disenfranchise voters because they missed new requirements etc. At the very least the government must undertake voter education efforts to offset any potential issues arising from the changing laws.
Absentee voting is an incredibly important part of the democratic process for people in all ages and stages of life, and the current hurdles to voting absentee are unnecessary. This bill is an excellent solution that preserves security and would make it much easier for Granite Staters to make their voice heard.
Please pass this bill. HB 1277 is a simple, secure update that allows voters to use their driver’s license number instead of notarized paperwork when voting by absentee ballot. It removes barriers that block citizens from voting absentee without weakening security. Please make voting more accessible for seniors, people with disabilities, working families, and voters who can’t easily leave home. Requiring individuals like this to find/pay a notary and to make extra trips to submit paperwork, are huge barriers that undermine their ability to vote. Please support HB 1277. Thank you for considering the needs of your constituents and protecting our right to vote.
I support this bill.
I wholeheartedly support this bill.
This is a no-brainer; providing a valid driver's license to obtain an absentee ballot is accurate and easy. Why Make it harder to vote by requiring people to jump through a series of unnecessary hoops that do not add value towards validating citizenship.
This is for the sake of all NH voters.
Shouldn't have to be a law in order for the SOS to educate the public on new election laws. But these days.... so I support strongly.
Providing driver's license information seems like a much more reasonable action for voters to take when applying for an absentee ballot than current requirements of submitting copies of IDs or notaried documents. I urge you to support HB 1277.
HB 1277 is a simple, secure update that allows voters to use their driver’s license number instead of notarized paperwork. It protects election integrity while making voting more accessible.
This bill allows voters to provide their driver’s license number when applying for an absentee ballot instead of getting a document notarized or submitting a copy of their ID. It's a common-sense fix: right now, voters who want to vote absentee face unnecessary hurdles—finding a notary, paying a fee, struggling with a copy machine, or making extra trips just to submit paperwork. HB 1277 removes those barriers without weakening security.
I support HB 1277