Establishes a secure online voter registration system through the secretary of state that verifies applicant identity using department of motor vehicles records and transmits registrations to local election officials.
authorizing online voter registration.
HB521 would authorize an online portal for voter registration and related transactions, such as updating an address or party affiliation and requesting an absentee ballot. Supporters argue this modernizes an outdated process and expands access for voters who face barriers to registering in person, while opponents argue that only in-person, face-to-face verification can reliably confirm voter identity and that an online system would increase the risk of fraud and hacking.
Supporters argue that since many everyday transactions are already done securely online, voter registration should be modernized similarly, noting that most other states already offer this option.
“Today we can complete contractual and financial transactions accurately, securely, and quickly online. Our election system should be modernized by following suit.”
— Linda Bundy, Antrim · #486298 — read full submission →
“NH currently is one of only 7 states that don't allow voter registration online.”
— Nancy Brennan, Weare · #485372 — read full submission →
Supporters argue online registration would help voters who have difficulty registering in person due to disability, lack of transportation, work schedules, or other access barriers.
“due to heavy turnout, new, unregistered voters had to wait in line for more than an hour to register.”
— Jeffrey Smith, Epping · #483509 — read full submission →
“Allowing us to register to vote online eliminates a barrier for participating in democracy for people who don’t have able bodies or transportation.”
— Margaret Konze, Pembroke · #481542 — read full submission →
Supporters argue an online system would reduce clerical and handwriting errors from paper forms and help keep voter rolls updated and accurate.
Supporters point to the roughly 42 other states that already offer online voter registration as evidence the systems can operate securely without significant fraud.
Supporters argue that making registration easier and more convenient will lead to higher voter turnout and broader civic participation.
A small number of supporters caution that even with online registration, requirements for state-issued ID or reliable internet access could inadvertently exclude some eligible voters.
Submitters express a general concern that online registration will make it easier to commit voter fraud, add fictitious or ineligible voters to the rolls, or otherwise undermine election integrity.
“Online registration brings NH exposure for unqualified voters to get added to the voter rolls and worse, the creation of non existent voters included by bad actors.”
— Brenda Towne, East wakefield · #483154 — read full submission →
“Who would introduce a bill that is a vehicle for massive fraud. Don't pass this bill if you want to be elected again.”
— Gary Brown, Raymond · #484938 — read full submission →
Submitters argue that the only reliable way to verify a registrant's identity is face-to-face confirmation at a town or city clerk's office, and that an online system cannot replicate this safeguard.
“The only way to verify 100% that the person registering to vote is who they say they are, is by verifying them in person, face to face.”
— Carol Petrusewicz, Rochester · #483260 — read full submission →
“there is no guarantee that the license was not stolen by someone who had performed identity theft against the rightful owner of the license”
— Donna Peterson, Loudon · #486894 — read full submission →
Some submitters oppose introducing any digital or remote tool into the election process, preferring a fully manual system of in-person registration, paper ballots, and hand-counted results.
Submitters argue the existing in-person registration process is efficient and not burdensome, and that building an online system would impose unnecessary cost on taxpayers.
“Having worked as a ballot clerk here in Nashua for 15 years, I can testify to the successful processes that make our elections here in NH efficient and clean.”
— Lisa Lapin, Nashua · #486111 — read full submission →
“Why should NH taxpayers have to spend millions of dollars on this un-needed technology in addition to an added state employee position”
— Tammy Garthwaite, East Wakefield · #483215 — read full submission →
Submitters argue that any online system, no matter what security measures are used, is vulnerable to hacking and cannot guarantee protection of voter data or the registration process.
A few submitters frame the bill as an attempt by legislators to make elections easier to manipulate or as part of a broader pattern of distrust toward election administration.
Generated by claude-sonnet-5 (claude code agent) on Jul 20, 2026. Quotes are verbatim excerpts, verified against the cited submission before publication. Summaries are AI interpretation of the record, not part of it.
This is another measure that will make our democracy stronger. Anything that eases voter registration and encourages voting is a good thing. If we can manage online banking, shopping, and taxes, we can manage online voter registration.
This would be such a significant improvement over the present system!!! Allowing people to register on-line and/or update their. information is a modern age idea that has worked in 42 other states without incident. Using modern technology could improve voter participation and increase turnout!!! Vote Ought to Pass!
Dear members of the Election Law Committee, I am opposed to HB521 for the following reasons: 1). online voter registration greatly increases the possibility of voter fraud; even though an ID issued by the NH Dept. of Safety division of motor vehicles, i.e. a Driver's license # must be provided, there is no guarantee that the license was not stolen by someone who had performed identity theft against the rightful owner of the license, 2). Our NH Constitution has very specific guidelines for voter registration and conducting elections. These should not be bypassed simply for the convenience to the voter afforded by newer technologies, especially when voter integrity is put at risk, as I believe it is in this case. The most reliable, Constitutionally-safe-guarded way to ensure the true identity of the voter, is for the voter to appear in person to register to vote, with their picture ID in hand, so the person registering them to vote can verify the photo in the picture ID is the same person appearing before them holding that ID. I don't buy that the majority of NH residents want this; perhaps the ones who only care about convenience, but don't care whether their vote really counts when stacked against the large numbers of illegal, fraudulently obtained voter registrations that could result. Please vote ITL on HB521! Thank you! Donna Peterson
I completely support online voter registration. If we can successfully do online banking. There is no reason we cannot successfully make online voter registration available.
This would negatively impact consumers and small businesses. I strongly oppose this bill.
This bill is anti-American and needs to be defeated.
We should absolutely allow citizens to register to vote online. This will facilitate the process of voting, encourage young people to get engaged and vote. This bill, if passed, will also allow voters to update their registration online securely and conveniently, including when they move, which will help maintain clean voter rolls and reduce the opportunity for fraud or confusion. At the same time, the bill will properly ensure that election officials remain at the core of the registration process.
It is essential that we have a simple and secure way to register as many voters as possible, as efficiently as possible. In a democracy, every vote matters and everyone should be able to register from wherever they are, whether they are hospitalized, away at college, or have challenges getting childcare or time off from work in order to register in person.
Allowing full access to voting for all citizens is a top priority.
Any way for our state to allow more individuals to vote should be supported. We should not be finding ways to restrict citizens from voting. We should be finding ways to support people with restriction and access limitations to allow them to practice their constitutional rights. Why should someone who is not capable of taking time away from their job, or does not have the transportation or means of going to the town hall to register to vote be unable to practice their rights? This would create further ability for the voter pool to be limited along racial and class lines. Lets be an inclusive, considerate and understanding State to our citizens. Lets allow people to practice their given rights to vote, and lets find ways to make this easier for everyone!
I fully support this bill and any future bills that help protect our elections.
I do not support this bill and we are watching.
I checked absentee ballots in the 2020 election. Majority were the same color ink, similar signatures and no down ballot votes. This is a surefire way for voter fraud.
I think we should make voting easier - not harder. We need more of the public to participate and if we make voter registration available on-line we will be more in-line with our society which does so many things online.
It's high time we modernize our voter registration system.
42 other states allow online voter registration, and it saves them money. In addition to being practical for people who work long hours, have family care responsibilities during the work day, or for other reasons can't get to the clerk's office, it also would eliminate the chances of election officials making a typo or being unable to read the writing on a handwritten application. It would decrease the number of people who need to register on election day, resulting in shorter lines. Please help our dedicated election workers by making their job easier!
New Hampshire can join 42 other states that have online voter registration where eligible voters can complete a new voter application, request an absentee ballot, and update their address and other voter info.
Voter ID is critical to election integrity and in person voting is the best way to maintain the integrity.
School districts MUST remain non-partisan!!!!
I support HB521. Please vote Yes! Stacie Kiczuk
We are one of the few states who doesn’t allow this. We need more voting access and this is one way to support that.
I think this bill finally brings NH in line with the digital age. Allowing people to register to vote online, with appropriate ID is right for NH. I support this bill.
I am strongly opposed to this bill because I believe it will allow for even greater election fraud. I believe we need much stronger laws to protect election integrity in NH, as we saw in Windham. I would like to see his return to paper ballots. Thank you!
Testimony in Support of HB 521 February 25, 2025 3:10 pm House Election Law Committee Legislative Office Building Room 306-8 Concord, NH 03301 Chairman Berry and Members of the House Election Law Committee, I support HB 521, authorizing online voter registration. Today we can complete contractual and financial transactions accurately, securely, and quickly online. Our election system should be modernized by following suit. Online voter registration has existed since 2002. Presently 42 states have online registration systems. They effectively protect voters’ private information by using programs that protect against hacking, make networks secure, and prevent unauthorized access. With this system, voters can complete a new voter application, request an absentee ballot, and update their address and other voter information. Such access would be of particular benefit to people working two jobs, or who lack transportation, the elderly, infirm, or people with disabilities. Younger voters often are more comfortable making transactions online and are more likely to register by this means. An online voter registration system will lead to cleaner, more current voter roles and save time on election day. All registrations made online are sent to the local supervisors of the checklist for review before adding voters to the checklist, in keeping with the same level of local control and review that now is in place. Once established these systems cost less to operate. Over time, the initial costs are recovered. Making voter registration more easily accessible will increase civic engagement and allow more residents who are eligible to vote to do just that. I ask that you vote Ought to Pass on HB 521. Respectfully, Linda Bundy Antrim
This bill opens the door to voter registration integrity issues which is currently handled pretty well in NH. It puts unnecessary risk to integrity into the system. Registering for the first time should be completed in person.