NH House Testimony

HB1382

House · 2026 sessionRepublicanKilled in House

Citizenship proof for overseas voters

AI

Requires 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.

ElectionsMilitary & Veterans' AffairsState Government

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 5, 2026
  1. Introduced
  2. House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Division of testimony

319 submissions
Support 3Oppose 316Neutral 0

Argument digest · AI-generated

from 74 of 74 written submissions

HB1382 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.

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.

Catharine FarkasOpposeSanbornton, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

This bill is illegal because it counters the federal UOCAVA. It is an attempt to disenfranchise legal overseas voters.

Gabriele LiebergOpposeNewfields, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

I strongly oppose this bill.

Deborah BrussOpposeConcord, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

There are already sufficient safeguards in place to allow overseas citizens to vote in elections. Don't make it more difficult.

Jennifer legierOpposeCampton, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

another voter suppression bill

Nichole FICKENOpposePembroke, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

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.

Wendy RoperOpposeGilford, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

This bill is in conflict with Federal law and makes it more difficult for those who are legally eligible to vote to do so.

Sally PattonOpposeNEW LONDON, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

conflicts with federal Absentee Voting Act!

Julianne GadouryOpposeAndover, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

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.

Rachel KennonOpposeRochester, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Yet another attempt to keep people from voting. Opposed!

Rebecca HoskinsOpposeConcord, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

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.

Shirley MontgomeryOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

HB1382 creates unequal treatment and unnecessary confusion. It sends the message that some citizens’ votes are more trusted than others.

Jeffrey DicklerOpposeRindge, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

We need to make voting easier not harder.

Nancy JerauldOpposeLitchfield, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

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!

Kimberly KirklandOpposeConcord, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

This bill makes it unacceptably difficult for legitimate NH voters to vote. Vote no.

Brooke Saba mcdowellOpposePlymouth, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

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

Linda BundyOpposeAntrim, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

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

Heather JohnstoneOpposeHillsborough, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Hello, I oppose this bill because it restricts voting rights and conflicts with other laws about overseas voting. Thank you.

Kathleen MalsbendenOpposeNewmarket, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

I oppose OPPOSEHB1832 as it add new paperwork barriers for no reason, singling out some overseas voters but not others.

Julie ZimmerOpposePeeterborough, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

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.

Mary CadwalladerOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

What are you planning next? A poll tax? Leave voters' rights in place.

Andrew HarmonOpposeNew Hampton, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

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.

Maxine PetruccelliOpposeWebster, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Ridiculous bill. Anti voter.

Charles PetruccelliOpposeWebster, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Ridiculous bill. Anti voter.

Frances BelcherOpposeCampton, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

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.

Sharon RacusinOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

There are already enough safeguards for voters out of the country.