motor voter is the best way to ensure that the largest number of citizens are able to vote.
HB1600
House · 2026 sessionBipartisanDied in SenatePoll access to voter database
AIRequires 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.
Status
Died on the table in the Senate · April 23, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✓House
- ✕Senate
- Governor
- Law
Division of testimony
295 submissionsArgument digest · AI-generated
from 64 of 64 written submissionsHB1600 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.
- DMV registration is a convenient modernization that saves time and reduces errorsSupport45 of 64 reviewed
Most supporters argue that allowing voter registration at the DMV meets people where they already are, modernizes an outdated process, and reduces errors and administrative burden compared to the current system.
“Registering to vote should be easy and straightforward. Letting people register when they’re already at the DMV getting or renewing an ID just makes sense.”
— Charlotte Barrie, Merrimack · #546311 — read full submission →
“Our systems for registering to vote, and monitoring who should be eligible to vote are outdated.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.”
— Julianne Gadoury, Andover · #548792 — read full submission →
- 44 other states already do this successfullySupport6 of 64 reviewed
Supporters point out that DMV voter registration has been standard, effective practice in 44 states since 1993, framing HB1600 as New Hampshire catching up to a proven model.
“This is not a new protocol as voters in 44 states have been registering voters at the DMV since 1993.”
— Corinne Dodge, Derry · #541743 — read full submission →
“Voter registration at the DMV has been standard practice in 44 states since 1993, and it has proven effective and secure.”
— Catherine Bushueff, Sunapee · #550727 — read full submission →
- Improves access for disabled, low-income, and busy votersSupport6 of 64 reviewed
Some supporters emphasize that the bill would particularly help voters who face barriers under the current system, including disabled, low-income, or working residents with limited time to register separately.
“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.”
— Andrew Harmon, New Hampton · #550916 — read full submission →
“it's high time NH got on board to make it easier for busy, disabled or low-income citizens to register.”
— Debora Hatcher, Dover · #544911 — read full submission →
- Bill counters recent restrictions on voter registrationSupport5 of 64 reviewed
Several supporters frame HB1600 as a needed corrective to recently passed laws (such as removal of the registration affidavit option) that they say have made it harder for eligible voters to register and have turned some away.
“Because of HB1569 now in effect as law, NH voters can no longer sign an affidavit if they are missing a document needed for registration. This caused many eligible voters unaware of the change in election law to be denied their right to vote in the last election.”
— Corinne Dodge, Derry · #541743 — read full submission →
“New Hampshire has the most restrictive voting laws in the entire United States.”
— Jeanne Ludt, Amherst · #544490 — read full submission →
- Reduces burden on poll workers and election officialsSupport4 of 64 reviewed
Some supporters argue the bill would ease pressure on poll workers and reduce administrative errors by shifting registration earlier and enabling electronic data transmission.
- Distrust of expanding the DMV's role into voter registrationOppose1 of 64 reviewed
At least one opponent objects to giving the DMV responsibility for voter registration, preferring a more deliberate, selective registration process rather than folding it into a routine DMV transaction.
- General opposition without detailed reasoningOppose2 of 64 reviewed
A couple of submissions state opposition to the bill or an associated amendment without elaborating on specific reasons.
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’m pleased to see this bipartisan support for easy availability to register to vote.
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.
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.
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.
Voting by every qualified citizen is something to be encouraged. This bill makes it easier for citizens with proper identification to register to vote.
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.
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?
What a great way to make it easier to register to vote!
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.
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.
Let’s encourage citizens to exercise their right to vote by making it easier and more convenient to vote.
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
I oppose the bill and the amendment.
That's chaos.
We want to encourage voter registration early, when there is still time to track down the appropriate documentation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Voters should have the opportunity to register to vote at the same time they register their vechicle
As an election clerk, I believe that we must make it easier for all legitimate citizens to vote.
This bill would help assure that every New Hampshire student can have access to high quality free public education. Please support it.
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.
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.