This bill is illegal because it counters the federal UOCAVA. It is an attempt to disenfranchise legal overseas voters.
HB1382
House · 2026 sessionRepublicanKilled in HouseCitizenship proof for overseas voters
AIRequires overseas voters registering under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, except military members and their families, to submit one-time proof of United States citizenship to the secretary of state before voting in New Hampshire elections.
relative to proof of citizenship for overseas voters voting under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
Status
Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 5, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Division of testimony
319 submissionsArgument digest · AI-generated
from 74 of 74 written submissionsHB1382 would require certain overseas voters covered by the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) to submit additional proof of U.S. citizenship to vote in New Hampshire. This sample contains no submissions in support; nearly all submitters oppose the bill, arguing that overseas voting is already secure and well-regulated, that the added paperwork creates unequal treatment and burdens (particularly for military members and civilians abroad), and that the requirement may conflict with federal law and reflects a broader pattern of legislation making voting harder.
- Unnecessary; overseas voting already secure, no fraud evidenceOppose32 of 74 reviewed
Submitters argue the bill duplicates existing safeguards, pointing out that overseas voters are already eligible under federal law and that there is no credible evidence of fraud that would justify additional verification requirements.
“Overseas voting is already extremely well regulated and there is not a single piece of credible evidence that indicates any problems with fraudulent votes being cast by Americans abroad.”
— Elizabeth Taylor, Hopkinton · #570028 — read full submission →
“The process for overseas voter is already requiring appropriate proof of citizenship.”
— marilyn wilking, walpole · #573927 — read full submission →
- Creates unequal treatment among votersOppose17 of 74 reviewed
Submitters argue the bill singles out some overseas voters for extra scrutiny while not applying the same standard to others (including a different standard for military versus civilian voters), creating unequal treatment and confusion.
“Overseas voters already follow strict rules to vote securely. This bill adds new paperwork barriers for no valid reason. By singling out some overseas voters but not others, HB 1382 creates unequal treatment and unnecessary confusion.”
— Martha Jaquith, Kingston · #568812 — read full submission →
“setting different standards for military and overseas civilians is not right. The rules should be the same.”
— Kathryn Ess, Bow · #555826 — read full submission →
- Adds administrative burden that could disenfranchise votersOppose15 of 74 reviewed
Submitters contend the new documentation requirement adds cost and complexity to election administration, and risks discouraging or disqualifying eligible overseas voters who already face time-zone differences and mail delays.
- Part of a broader pattern of voter-suppression legislationOppose16 of 74 reviewed
Some submitters characterize the bill as politically motivated, describing it as one of several recent bills intended to make voting harder rather than to address a genuine problem.
- Legally questionable, conflicts with federal UOCAVA lawOppose9 of 74 reviewed
Submitters argue the bill conflicts with or is preempted by the federal UOCAVA framework, question the legal basis for a distinct 'New Hampshire citizenship' concept, and warn it could be unconstitutional and invite costly litigation.
- Unfairly burdens military service membersOppose7 of 74 reviewed
Submitters argue the bill is especially unfair to uniformed service members serving overseas, who already establish citizenship upon enlistment and who submitters feel are being distrusted after being asked to serve.
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.
I strongly oppose this bill.
There are already sufficient safeguards in place to allow overseas citizens to vote in elections. Don't make it more difficult.
another voter suppression bill
To Whom it May Concern, I oppose bill HB1382. Please stop trying to influence elections by creating more hoops for people to jump through to vote. Overseas voters already follow strict rules to vote securely. This bill adds new paperwork barriers for no valid reason. This bill singles out some overseas voters and not others which creates unequal treatment and unnecessary confusion. Thank you.
This bill is in conflict with Federal law and makes it more difficult for those who are legally eligible to vote to do so.
conflicts with federal Absentee Voting Act!
Overseas voters already follow strict rules to vote securely. This bill adds new paperwork barriers for no valid reason. By singling out some overseas voters but not others, HB 1382 creates unequal treatment and unnecessary confusion.
Yet another attempt to keep people from voting. Opposed!
Once again, another purely republican sponsored bill aimed at making it harder for residents of New Hampshire to vote. It should be simple. If they are a legal citizen of the state of New Hampshire, they then have the right to vote, even if they are doing so by mail in or absentee ballot. I do not understand why republicans, especially those claiming to be "free staters" are so obsessed with taking away the freedom of the residents of this state. This is absolutely shameful behavior that will not avail you. History will not remember bills like these and others that take aim at the freedoms enjoyed by citizens. And the residents of this state certainly won't forget either.
HB1382 creates unequal treatment and unnecessary confusion. It sends the message that some citizens’ votes are more trusted than others.
We need to make voting easier not harder.
This is another attempt to disenfranchise qualified voters. Pass bills that make it easy to vote. Don't make it more difficult for uniformed servicemen and women stationed overseas to vote!
This bill makes it unacceptably difficult for legitimate NH voters to vote. Vote no.
The election process is well regulated. This bill is harmful and confusing and will make the election process deliberately and unnecessarily difficult. I strongly oppose this bill
Chairman Berry and Members of House Election Law, I oppose HB 1382, relative to proof of citizenship for overseas voters voting under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. Registered UOCAVA voters are already eligible under federal law to vote. Overseas voters follow strict rules to vote securely. This bill adds new paperwork barriers for no valid reason. This bill hurts citizens living and working abroad by making it more difficult to vote. There are no substantial fraud issues that would necessitate this bill. I respectfully ask you to vote Inexpedient to Legislate on HB 1382. Linda Bundy Antrim, NH
Hello, I oppose this bill because it restricts voting rights and conflicts with other laws about overseas voting. Thank you.
I oppose OPPOSEHB1832 as it add new paperwork barriers for no reason, singling out some overseas voters but not others.
This is a solution in search of a problem and it makes it harder for our service men and women to vote. Waste of time, money and energy, ITL.
What are you planning next? A poll tax? Leave voters' rights in place.
This bill is unnecessary and a burden that our serving military and their families do not need to undergo. It feels like we are willing to entrust people to go fight abroad for us, but we do not trust them to vote "correctly". Please vote Inexpedient to Legislate on this bill.
Ridiculous bill. Anti voter.
Ridiculous bill. Anti voter.
I oppose this bill on the grounds that it limits voters’ rights to vote in NH. College students and absentee voters will be negatively impacted by this bill. I oppose this bill.
There are already enough safeguards for voters out of the country.