NH House Testimony

HB1600

House · 2026 sessionBipartisanDied in Senate

Poll access to voter database

AI

Requires the secretary of state and city and town clerks to ensure every polling place has direct or indirect access to the statewide centralized voter registration database during voting hours on all election days.

(New Title) relative to access to the centralized voter registration database on election days.

ElectionsMunicipalities

Status

Died on the table in the Senate · April 23, 2026
  1. Introduced
  2. House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Division of testimony

295 submissions
Support 291Oppose 4Neutral 0

Argument digest · AI-generated

from 64 of 64 written submissions

HB1600 would require the DMV to offer voter registration when residents apply for or renew a driver's license or non-driver ID. The overwhelming majority of submitted testimony supports the bill as a convenient, modernizing, and secure way to expand access to registration and ease pressure on election officials, while a small number of opponents object, mostly briefly, to expanding the DMV's role or to the bill in general.

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.

Deborah OlsonSupportHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

motor voter is the best way to ensure that the largest number of citizens are able to vote.

Kathryn SchongarSupportPeterborough, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

I’m pleased to see this bipartisan support for easy availability to register to vote.

Andrew HarmonSupportNew Hampton, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

As a legally blind person who has had to use a somewhat inaccessible system to obtain an absentee ballot, I am extremely in favor of this effort. Online portals help people access information much more easily than paper forms that are not accessible to the print disabled. Given the multiple decades of success with the One for All system in both its implementation as well as its security, I know whichever portal the Secretary of State adopts will be both secure and accessible.

Marcus HansenSupportAlstead, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

Rape kits provide essential evidence, which must be properly handled and preserved in order for victims to have access to to everything which brings them the best chance for justice, and healing.

Catherine BushueffSupportSunapee, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

HB 1600 offers New Hampshire voters a simple, common-sense option to register to vote when they interact at the DMV. This approach meets voters where they already are and reduces unnecessary barriers to participation. Voter registration at the DMV has been standard practice in 44 states since 1993, and it has proven effective and secure. HB 1600 allows New Hampshire to modernize its process in a safe and smart way, I urge the committee to support HB 1600.

Laura SteelSupportPlainfield, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

Voting by every qualified citizen is something to be encouraged. This bill makes it easier for citizens with proper identification to register to vote.

Mary MeyersSupportHancock, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

I believe we should make voting easier, not harder. Many states do this and it makes good sense, making it easier for citizens to vote and have their voices heard.

Jennifer McCarthySupportIntervale, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

Again, I ask, Why wouldn't you want to make it easier for residents to register to vote? So many other states do this. Very convenient. Why is it so hard for NH to support its residents?

Patricia DemeuleSupportNorth Hampton, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

What a great way to make it easier to register to vote!

Julianne GadourySupportAndover, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

Our systems for registering to vote, and monitoring who should be eligible to vote are outdated. HB 1600 and HB 1678 would save time, reduce errors, and ease pressure on Election Day. People are already going to the DMV to get their licenses or IDs and need to provide the same exact identification. Providing voters with a secure, modern option to register on their own schedule makes life easier for voters and election officials.

Mary WilkeSupportCONCORD, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

HB 1600 offers eligible registrants a convenient option for registering to vote. We should be encouraging qualified NH citizens to vote by removing unnecessary barriers - greater participation strengthens our democracay. Please vote OTP on HB 1600.

Danielle AlleySupportDover, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

Let’s encourage citizens to exercise their right to vote by making it easier and more convenient to vote.

Ellen FarnumSupportTamworth, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

Dear Legislators, I strongly support HB 1600 as it will streamline the registration process for voters by allowing another opportunity and place to register to vote. Our current election workers are often forced to turn away voters as they do not have the documentation needed to register on election day. (most of these voters are able to return with proper paperwork, but not all voters return.) Please help both election workers, town clerks and voters and support this bill! Ellen Farnum, Tamworth NH

Mauricio VivadoSupportBedford, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

I oppose the bill and the amendment.

Daniel RichardsonOpposeNashua, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

That's chaos.

Robert DrysdaleSupportHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

We want to encourage voter registration early, when there is still time to track down the appropriate documentation.

Mary Kae EckertSupportHill, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

HB 1600 modernizes voter registration and makes elections work better for everyone. Granite Staters should be able to register to vote when they update their ID at the DMV. HB 1600 is a bipartisan modernization step that saves time and reduces errors.” Registering to vote should be as easy as updating your license.

Kristen VigneauSupportManchester, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

It makes sense to continue to make registration for voting easy and accessible. People can save time and it's been shown to increase voter registration, something we should always champion in a democracy.

Dennis CapodestriaSupportBridgewater, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

This would modernize voter registration and make it easier for working citizens to register rather than have to go in person during hours that in many small towns are quite limited. This would be a safe, secure system that would avoid the long lines that many face in trying to register, and make it easier for citizens to exercise their constitutional right.

Jennifer HighlandSupportBridgewater, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

This would modernize voter registration and make it easier for working citizens to register rather than have to go in person during hours that in many small towns are quite limited. This would be a safe, secure system that would avoid the long lines that many face in trying to register, and make it easier for citizens to exercise their constitutional right.

Nancy CarltonSupportPeterborough, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

Voters should have the opportunity to register to vote at the same time they register their vechicle

Barbara SalvatoreSupportBedford, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

As an election clerk, I believe that we must make it easier for all legitimate citizens to vote.

Julie NelsonSupportHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

This bill would help assure that every New Hampshire student can have access to high quality free public education. Please support it.

Heather JohnstoneSupportHillsborough, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

I support any safe and secure means to make voting registration easier for more people. Letting people do so from the motor vehicle department will help.

Janet PietrovitoSupportFrancestown, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

We need to insure that our elections are accessible and fair. NH already has the most restrictive election laws in the country. Don’t make it worse.