Requires voters submitting absentee registration affidavits to include documentation proving citizenship, age, domicile, and identity, and provides that applications lacking such documentation shall not be approved.
relative to absentee ballots.
Hatched = form letter · 14 of 689 written submissions (2%) came from organized campaigns
HB217 would require voters registering to vote by absentee ballot to submit documentation proving their citizenship, age, domicile, and identity, mirroring the requirements already applied to in-person registrants. Supporters argue this closes a loophole and brings absentee registration in line with in-person standards to protect election integrity, while a much larger volume of opponents argue the requirement is redundant given the existing sworn-affidavit process and would create burdens that fall disproportionately on voters with disabilities, seniors, and others who vote absentee because they cannot vote in person. Many opponents also argue there is no evidence of significant absentee-ballot fraud and characterize the bill as an unnecessary or politically motivated barrier to voting.
Supporters argue that requiring absentee voters to document citizenship, age, domicile, and identity protects against fraudulent or ineligible votes and improves overall confidence in election outcomes.
“By requiring voters requesting absentee ballots to submit information demonstrating citizenship, age, domicile, and identity in order to qualify to vote, election integrity is preserved.”
— Nancy Louth, Hampton · #403522 — read full submission →
“This bill will make sure that all voters are treated equally with the SAME requirements. Thank you for writing this bill and correcting the oversight that has allowed fraudulent, illegal votes to be cast here in NH.”
— Carol Petrusewicz, Rochester · #399352 — read full submission →
“All voters should be required to submit proof of citizenship, age and domiciles to vote in NH.”
— Brad Louth, Hampton · #403509 — read full submission →
Supporters argue that current law does not require absentee registrants to prove citizenship the way in-person registrants must, and that the bill closes this gap to ensure only citizens can vote.
“Currently and without enactjng this common sense law, absentee ballots provide a loophole allowing non citizens to cast a vote without providing the proof of Citizenship that in person voters must provide.”
— Richard Brooks, Somersworth · #399157 — read full submission →
“Citizenship is a constitutional requirement for all voters and should not be queasy for those choosing the absentee process.”
— Michael Bean, Rye · #394840 — read full submission →
“This bill confirms citizenship of the ballot applicants. Essential to assure only US citizens are allowed to vote in our elections.”
— Christine Campbell, Newton · #398456 — read full submission →
Supporters argue it is only fair and consistent for absentee registrants to meet the same documentation standard already required of people who register to vote in person.
“The standard for registering absentee should be as rigorous as registering in person.”
— Judy Strakalaitis, Derry · #395272 — read full submission →
“It is only fair to mandate voter information from absentee voters if the same requirements are necessary for in-person registrants. This also supports election integrity.”
— Donella Hodgkins, Amherst · #402813 — read full submission →
At least one supporter draws an analogy to everyday transactions such as banking, arguing that requiring identification for absentee voting is no different from identification requirements used elsewhere.
Many submitters state a general objection that the bill makes voting harder rather than easier and creates unnecessary obstacles or restrictions on the right to vote, often without elaborating a specific mechanism of harm.
“This bill puts unnecessary and burdensome barriers to prevent voters from exercising their constitutional rights.”
— Katherine Merrow, Concord · #400781 — read full submission →
“In a democracy, people should be encouraged to vote and to make that voting reasonably easy and accessible. This bill puts unnecessary roadblocks for absentee voting - encourage people, not discourage.”
— James Verschueren, Dover · #389271 — read full submission →
“What problem is this bill trying to solve? Voting should be as easy as possible and not face major barriers.”
— Kent Hackmann, Andover · #385282 — read full submission →
Opponents argue voters already attest to their citizenship, age, domicile, and identity under penalty of perjury when they register, making a second round of documentation for absentee voting an unnecessary duplication.
“Voters attest to their eligibility when they register via a sworn affidavit, punishable by penalty of perjury.”
— form letter, submitted 15 times · #384025 — read full submission →
“If I am requesting an absentee ballot, and am on the voter rolls, then I have already provided the documentation needed in order to register. I should not have to register all over again to vote absentee.”
— Edith Daigle, New London · #403419 — read full submission →
“Registered voters requesting absentee ballots are REGISTERED VOTERS. Why should they had to provide the same information needed to register to simply request an absentee ballot?”
— Joanna Gallant, Hollis · #396240 — read full submission →
Opponents argue the added documentation requirements would especially burden voters with disabilities, seniors, and those without reliable transportation or technology, since these are the groups most likely to rely on absentee voting because they cannot vote in person.
“Many seniors and voters with disabilities vote via absentee ballot because they are unable to vote in person due to disability or lack of transportation.”
— Inga Hansen, Keene · #385572 — read full submission →
“this disregards the rights and needs of people like seniors, the disabled, caregivers, or people with unpredictable work schedules or hourly jobs where they cannot just leave work to vote.”
— Deb Baker, Concord · #397813 — read full submission →
Submitters describe practical difficulties with the bill's requirements, including needing to scan, print, notarize, or mail documents, take time off work, or predict months in advance that they will need to vote absentee.
“This bill would force people who are already unable to be at the polls during polling hours, for a variety of reasons, to take time off from work to get scans of their documents and send them, if they don't have that capability at home.”
— Lee Ann Kane, Brentwood · #397749 — read full submission →
“It is wildly impractical to require people to know what they will be doing 6+ months before an election. This nearly counts as banning absentee ballots.”
— Corinne Gordon, Salem · #384588 — read full submission →
Opponents contend that New Hampshire's absentee voting process is already safe and secure, that documented instances of fraud are rare or nonexistent, and that the bill is a solution to a problem that does not exist.
“VOTER FRAUD IS A MYTH, and efforts like this proposed legislation only serve to undermine our democracy and the systems in place that ensure free and fair elections are held across our state and country.”
— Meghan Eckner, Hopkinton · #386375 — read full submission →
“All aspects of the current NH absentee ballot process are very safe and secure. Sworn affidavits are required, with severe penalties for perjury attached to falsehood. There is no need for notarization or ID proof beyond what is currently required.”
— Gregory DAvis, Salem · #385766 — read full submission →
Some opponents characterize the bill as part of a partisan effort to suppress turnout rather than a genuine response to fraud, citing a broader pattern of election-law changes they view as designed to make voting harder.
“This bill is clearly designed to suppress voting and creates obstacles for people least able to find the necessary documentation, which has never been required for good reason.”
— Susan Orkin, Grantham · #386084 — read full submission →
“For years I have listened to Republican claims of corruption in elections, watched them waste taxes on investigations and recounts that find few or no problems, and watched them put election laws in place designed to make it harder for Americans to vote.”
— Debora Hatcher, Dover · #394137 — read full submission →
“This bill is an attempt at voter suppression by folks who legitimately need to vote absentee. Vote ITL.”
— Ruth Heath, Canterbury · #398441 — read full submission →
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.
14 submissions match a shared template; 131 are individually written.
Adding extra document requirements for voter registration may disenfranchise eligible voters, particularly those with disabilities who require absentee voting.
Voters attest to their eligibility when they register via a sworn affidavit, punishable by penalty of perjury. Adding additional requirements to scan, print, and send documents can disenfranchise eligible voters – especially those with disabilities who are registering absentee because they are unable to do so in person.
Detected by text-similarity clustering; campaign names are AI-generated.
Adding additional unnecessary requirements will make it harder for NH residents vote and make their voices heard. Voters already have to attest to their eligibility when they register to vote so requiring burdens to scan documents would add an unnecessary burden.
Bill is too restrictive and would deny right to vote to people. Requires more documents to get an absentee ballot that the law requires.
HB217 would benefit absentee voting practices.
Enables voters votes to be counted without delaying process. Avoids disenfranchising legal voters.
People already prove their citizenship when they register to vote; what is the point of requiring people to bring an entire folder of documentation with them just to vote? The whole point of registering voters in the first place is to avoid having to do just that. This creates all kinds of unnecessary burdens on both voters and the town officials who oversee absentee voting.
We need to make easier for people too vote, not harder. We already have an excellent track record on protecting election integrity.
This proposed legislation seems to discriminate against people who need to vote absentee. It also seems to create unnecessary busy work and obstacles to voting when there is no history of fraud amongst absentee voters in New Hampshire. Additionally for those voters who are ambivalent or unmotivated, it results in an opportunity for their apathy to win the day.
Why make voting so difficult. Please trust NH citizens!
By requiring voters requesting absentee ballots to submit information demonstrating citizenship, age, domicile, and identity in order to qualify to vote, election integrity is preserved. Thank you for your consideration.
All voters should be required to submit proof of citizenship, age and domiciles to vote in NH. Anything less makes our elections subject to fraud.
I am opposed to this bill. If I am requesting an absentee ballot, and am on the voter rolls, then I have already provided the documentation needed in order to register. I should not have to register all over again to vote absentee.
This bill requires absentee ballot voters to submit information demonstrating citizenship, age, domicile, and identity in order to qualify to vote. I support this bill as it supports election integrity.
This goes counter to the whole reason absentee ballots are offered. Keep it simple!!
adds citizenship confirmation to absentee ballot application. please support.
It is only fair to mandate voter information from absentee voters if the same requirements are necessary for in-person registrants. This also supports election integrity.
Creates an unnecessary barrier for working folks who travel or have restricted schedules
I oppose this bill.
The purpose of a democracy is to enroll as wide a swath of eligible voters as possible. This bill is anathetical to our democratic tradition because it eliminates unforeseen circumstances voters may face on election day.
I oppose this bill which adds further requirements for those attempting to vote by absentee ballot. Voters already attest to their eligibility when they register via a sworn affidavit, punishable by penalty of perjury. Adding additional requirements to scan, print, and send documents can disenfranchise eligible voters – especially those with disabilities who are registering absentee because they are unable to do so in person. If law makers want everyone to vote in person, they should make the whole process easier as is done in other countries - make it a holiday and expand hours for voting. Bills like this are not helping the process.
The right to a free and fair election is one of the most important rights we hold in this country
I am opposed to HB217. Voting is every citizen's right, and NH already has enough checks to safeguard our ballots. We have a good system, which I have admired for the last 40 years that I have lived in the state. Please reject HB217. Thank you!
Adds citizenship confirmation to absentee application which will help with elections security. Thank you
I oppose this bill as being unlawful and against the constitution
This bill puts unnecessary and burdensome barriers to prevent voters from exercising their constitutional rights.
I strongly oppose this bill. This is adding unnecessary complexity to the absentee voting process.