NH House Testimony

HB1396

House · 2026 sessionRepublicanDied in House

Unfilled house vacancy rule

AI

Requires a vacancy in the state house of representatives to remain unfilled should one occur.

relative to vacancies in state offices.

ElectionsLegislatureState Government

Status

Died on the table in the House · March 11, 2026
  1. Introduced
  2. House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Division of testimony

88 submissions
Support 2Oppose 86Neutral 0
Stephanie VazzanoOpposeConcord, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Most of our reps are likely to drop dead at any minute and I'm not willing to sacrifice my representation because the House can't get its act together.

Shirley MontgomeryOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

I oppose this bill because I think vacancies should be filled rather than left vacant.

Linda BundyOpposeAntrim, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Mary CadwalladerOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

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

Donna TullyOpposeLittleton, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

I oppose this bill on principle for the good of NH voters.

Hannah MeiselmanSupportMachester, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Streamlined procedures for filling vacancies improve government continuity; procedural rather than policy-critical.

Irene GrandOpposeStrafford, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Please work to make voting easier for people, not more difficult.

Debora HatcherOpposeDover, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

This bill is alarming. Instead of special elections in the event of the resignation, death or other situation where an elected member of the representatives leaves a seat vacant, you want to leave the seat permanently vacant. This bill seeks to deny citizens of NH representation; it seems illegal.

Steven BorneOpposeRye, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

So if something happens to my Rep, why should I have less representation than someone in a neighboring district? On what grounds should residents be punished when their representative vacates a position. If you want to immediately replace that person with an un-declared person who doesn't like either party, I am fine with that. Read the rest of the Election Law RSAs like I have. Our laws hard code advantages to the parties over independents.

Deborah McCarterOpposeGoffstown, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Please do not make it hard for people to vote. There is no problem here that needs to be solved. Students who are attending college in NH should be able to vote in NH, if they are residents on campus. As a professor emerita, I feel strongly that students should be involved in the civic processes of life, and this is key.

Christine BachrachOpposeGrantham, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

This bill deprives voters of NH of representation in the legislature if the person representing them quits, dies, or moves away. The only reason I can see for suggesting this is partisan politics - Democrats have been winning special elections disproportionately! All Granite Staters have the right to be represented at all times.

Kathleen SwaineOpposeExeter, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

This bill will be a burden to families with children or people with limited income. It would mean a family of four would have to pay $200.00 just to register most likely making it difficult to purchase bicycles on top of this fee.

Sue NASTASIOpposeDover, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Catherine MillerOpposeFranconia, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

CARA CABRALOpposeMADBURY, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Ann RettewOpposeConcord, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Karen MitchellOpposeMont Vernon, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Anne HubermanOpposePeterborough, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Susan MooreOpposeWhitefield, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Amy ColeOpposeLittleton, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Abigail MatherOpposeKeene, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Beth EdwardsOpposeLisbon, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Joan LangOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Jill WeberOpposeMont Vernon, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Susan OrkinOpposeGrantham, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.