NH House Testimony

HB1695

House · 2026 sessionDemocraticInterim study

No ballot explanations for amendments

AI

Prevents any guide or explanation regarding the effect of a proposed constitutional amendment from appearing on the ballot.

(New Title) preventing any guide or explanation regarding the effect of a proposed constitutional amendment from appearing on the ballot.

ElectionsCACR

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · May 5, 2026
  1. Introduced
  2. House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Division of testimony

159 submissions
Support 152Oppose 7Neutral 0
CARA CABRALSupportMADBURY, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

I support this bill because it removes barriers to information, helping all voters make informed decisions. This strengthens inclusion and participation in our democracy.

Gabriele LiebergSupportNewfields, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

I strongly support this bill. I believe voters' guides are very helpful to citizens>

Margaret KonzeSupportPembroke, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Voter guides are wonderful. In California we would get them in the mail well in advance of an election. I miss them.

Shirley MontgomerySupportHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

I support this bill because I think it would help voters be better informed about a bill before voting.

Jeffrey DicklerSupportRindge, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

We need to make voting easier not harder.

Nancy JerauldSupportLitchfield, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

This proposed constitutional amendment is complicated, therefore a voter's guide should be provided by the secretary of state.

Penny thomasSupportConcord, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

voters need information on what they're voting on.

Heather JohnstoneSupportHillsborough, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

I support this bill because it will help explain to voters what we are voting on. Descriptions on the ballot are often complicated and confusingly worded. Thank you.

Mary CadwalladerSupportHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

We need informed voters.

Carol KnieriemSupportConcord, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

This bill will finially let me know how to vote for an amendment to the constitution instead of guessing does yes mean yes or is it really no. And I will also know in clear English what the bill is about. I will be an informed voter

Darla BrunoSupportLebanon, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Really? You're going to give a 30 day heads up for inspection? Give them time to hide whatever violations they've been engaging in. The point of inspection is that it should be a surprise, to catch them in the act. With all the problems we have this is what you sit around and come up with?

Mary TillSupportConcord, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

I strongly support this bill. As a former Town Moderator, I was often contacted when voters did not understand a CACR. For example a few years ago there was a CACR to remove the position of Registrars of Probate from the list of required offices to be voted when their term of office is up. because this office no longer has any duties.. That sessible and seemingly non-controversial CACR failed because the amended bill as written on the ballot did not mention that registrar of probate had been removed from the amended version. Last election the Secretary of Sate provided moderators with a leaflet with the Voter's Guide for the CACR on it with instructions to the moderators to hand out a copy of the leaflet when the voter's arrived. Most moderators chose to have the greeters hand out the guides. However, when many voters enter at the same time, the guides can't get to all of them. Also, voters are in a hurry to vote and get to work so they don't look at the guide until after they vote. Also, moderators complained of the extra papers left in voting booths or dropped on a nearby table. All in all it was an aggravation, extra work, and not effective. If the guide is printed on the ballot below the CACR, it will be available when the voter needs the information. Please recommend passage of this CACR. The Voters Guide is printed in each CACR

Christy Crespo-MatizSupportNashua, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

I support this because technical legal jargon is hard to understand for people who are not immersed in that world. Regular plain language would def make it for transparent and easier to understand the information and the implications.

Donna TullySupportLittleton, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

I support this bill on principle for the good of voters.

Ann YenchickSupportNorth Hampton, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

We need to increase not decrease the business profits tax

Leonard CadwalladerSupportHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

A single ballot is a common sense direction for the Granite State to go.

Nancy MilesSupportHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

I support this bill - including a voter's guide that clearly explains what any proposed Constitutional amendment means is a very good idea and would avoid confusion in voters' minds about what the amendment means.

Susan HolcombeSupportHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

It seems rather foolish to repeal the business entrprise tax when the state faces fiscal challenges. This will increase financial pressure on property poor towns.

Daniel RichardsonOpposeNashua, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

This bill does not protect against a trivial and meaningless information in guide being of no enlightenment to voter.

Hannah MeiselmanSupportMachester, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Providing accessible, clear guidance to voters increases informed participation and strengthens democracy.

Joanne DavisSupportConcord, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Giving the Department of Education the authority to intervene in a school or school district during a financial emergency as well as the authority to require the school district to renegotiate its employment contracts and reallocate its resources would exclude parents and communities from decision making.

Gregory DavisSupportSalem, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Voters have a right to the pros and cons of a constitutional ballot amendment.

Priscilla DubeSupportConcord, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

Citizens deserve and must have accurate information on which to make such a crucial vote

Karen BemisSupportBristol, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

My name is Karen and I live and vote in Bristol. I SUPPORT this bill that requires the SoS to include a voter's guide to any proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot.

Andrea PowersSupportBristol, NHfor MyselfJan 27, 2026

It is important to keep voters informed by providing a guide explaining any proposed constitutional amendment of the ballot. This provides full transparency.