NH House Testimony

HB1678

House · 2026 sessionDemocraticKilled in House

Direct online voter registration

AI

Allows qualified individuals to submit voter registration applications directly to the secretary of state for forwarding to local clerks, and requires the secretary of state to build a secure online portal for electronic voter registration by 2028.

requiring the secretary of state to accept voter registration forms directly from voters and to create an online portal for direct voter registration.

ElectionsMunicipalities

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 12, 2026
  1. Introduced
  2. House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Division of testimony

277 submissions
Support 273Oppose 4Neutral 0

Argument digest · AI-generated

from 59 of 59 written submissions

HB1678 would let voters register directly with the Secretary of State and would create an online portal for voter registration, rather than relying solely on in-person registration with local clerks. The great majority of submitters support the bill, arguing it modernizes an outdated process and improves access for busy, rural, elderly, and disabled voters without weakening security. A small number oppose it outright, and a separate cluster of submitters raise objections tied to what they describe as an unrelated, non-germane redistricting/gerrymandering amendment attached to the bill rather than to the registration provisions themselves.

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

New Hampshire runs some of the best elections in the country — but our voter registration system is stuck in the past. Right now, voters often have to register in person during limited hours or wait until Election Day, which leads to long lines, confusion, and mistakes. HB 1678 gives voters a secure, modern option to register on their own schedule, before Election Day. Online voter registration doesn’t weaken election security - it strengthens it by reducing errors, keeping voter rolls up to date, and easing the burden on local election officials. Granite Staters deserve an election system that works for real life. motor voter is the best way to ensure that the largest number of citizens are able to vote.

Joanne EmusSupportMilford, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

I was an observer in Nashua Ward 5 during the municipal election.. A young person who wanted to register did not have his passport with him. He was able to text his Mother who took a picture of his passport and he was able to continue registering. If he had been trying this on election day, and needed to return home to get his passport, he might have not returned, due to long lines and a full parking lot. We need young people to vote. Given a bad experience, that young man may have been totally turned off of voting. I've heard that if a young person registers to vote, he'll likely be a voter for the rest of his life. We need to know how many people get turned away at the polls, so that there is verifiable proof that the citizenship requirement is a barrier to registering.

Kathryn SchongarSupportPeterborough, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

Registering DIRECTLY with the Secretary of State and having an online portal would seem to provide efficiency and transparency.

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.

Laura SteelSupportPlainfield, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

It is a proper function of the Sec of State to facilitate voter registration by all qualified citizens.

Mary MeyersSupportHancock, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

We need to modernize and improve access to voting. New Hampshire lags way behind in this respect.

Jennifer McCarthySupportIntervale, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

Why wouldn't you want to make it easier for residents to register to vote? Why would you not want people to vote?

Patricia BassSupportCONCORD, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

note testimony is for non-german amendment as well as HB1300

Julianne GadourySupportAndover, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

Our systems for registering to vote, and monitoring who should be eligible to vote are outdated. 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

Please vote OTP on HB 1678, which will help modernize our voting systems, giving voters a secure and convenient option to register to vote. We should do all we can to encourage eligible citizens to vote, rather than putting unnecessary roadblocks in their way. Online voter registration helps to strengthen election security by reducing errors and keeping voter rolls current.

Chase EaglesonSupportConcord, NHfor Members of the NH Council on Developmental DisabilitiesJan 20, 2026

The Members of the NH Council on Developmental Disabilities (NHCDD) believes this bill could have a positive impact on the NH disability community. Allowing for more accessibility and ease of use in the registration and voting information process would be a great leap forward for voting accessibility for all Granite Staters.

kristen petricolaSupportKeene, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

I support this addition to streamline the process

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.

Mauricio VivadoSupportBedford, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

I oppose the bill and the amendment.

meredith morganSupporthanover, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

for non-germane

Daniel RichardsonOpposeNashua, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

That's chaos.

Robert DrysdaleSupportHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

We don't want to have a mid-decade gerrymander!

Mary Kae EckertSupportHill, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

New Hampshire runs some of the best elections in the country — but our voter registration system is stuck in the past. Right now, voters often have to register in person during limited hours or wait until Election Day, which leads to long lines, confusion, and mistakes. HB 1678 gives voters a secure, modern option to register on their own schedule, before Election Day. Online voter registration doesn’t weaken election security - it strengthens it by reducing errors, keeping voter rolls up to date, and easing the burden on local election officials. Granite Staters deserve an election system that works for real life. This bill helps 1. Voters with long or irregular work hours; 2. People without easy access to transportation; 3. Voters with disabilities; 4. New voters and people who move frequently If improves accuracy in voter rolls, shortens lines on Election Day and fosters efficiency for local election officials. Online voter registration is common sense modernization — 40+ states already do this. Registering online reduces mistakes caused by handwriting and missing information. Voters would still need to verify their identity, just like they do now. Local election officials keep the same review and approval role — local control stays intact. When voters can register ahead of time, Election Day runs smoother for everyone. HB 1678 modernizes voter registration, strengthens security, and makes elections run smoother. Online voter registration is secure, proven, and widely used across the country. HB 1678 would reduce errors, shorten lines, and make voting easier for eligible Granite Staters. Registering to vote shouldn’t require taking time off work.

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.

Barbara SalvatoreSupportBedford, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

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

Heather JohnstoneSupportHillsborough, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

I support any safe and secure means to make voting registration easier for more people.

Michaela JanowskiSupportEpping, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

Voting needs to be accessible to all who live in this country and are affected by its laws.

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.

Kathleen MalsbendenSupportNewmarket, NHfor MyselfJan 20, 2026

I support HB 1678 because it modernizes voter registration in a secure, common-sense way and makes it easier for eligible voters to participate. New Hampshire’s elections are already secure, and claims of widespread fraud simply aren’t backed by facts.