NH House Testimony

HB574

House · 2025 sessionRepublicanKilled in House

Background checks for voting machine vendors

AI

Requires background checks of employees, contractors, directors, and partners of private companies that program and maintain the state's electronic ballot counting machines and allows public inspection of related records.

requiring background checks of the private companies and their contractors who program and maintain New Hampshire voting machines.

ElectionsRight to Know

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 26, 2025
  1. Introduced
  2. House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Division of testimony

139 submissions
Support 128Oppose 11Neutral 0
mollie allenSupportExeter, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

I believe it’s essential that voting machine contractors have background checks.

Barbara CallawaySupportHanover, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

This is an effort to bridge partisan divides and further assure the public of the security of elections in NH.

Sue NastasiSupportDover, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

I support HB574 because it as the bill states: This bill requires background checks of employees, contractors, directors, and partners of private companies that program and maintain the electronic ballot counting machines in the state. This bill also allows the public inspection of such records. That should be done already! It is believed that such background checks are done and now we need a law to be sure it is done.

Marilyn WilkingSupportWalpole, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

This requirement is BASIC. Of course, we want anyone who has anything to do with the integrity of elections to have a criminal background check. I am incredulous that this basic safety precaution is not already required. Thank you for getting this done.

Joanna AndrosSupportWalpole, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

This bill makes sense, since there needs to be some degree of oversight of a private company to ensure the safety and integrity of elections.

Sharon RacusinSupportHanover, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

This bill requires background checks of employees, contractors, directors, and partners of private companies that program and maintain the electronic ballot counting machines in the state. This bill also allows the public inspection of such records.

Doug WilsonSupportGreenland, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

Dear House Election Law Committee: I support background checks for voting machine personnel. New Hampshire often plays a pivotal role in determining the outcome of national elections. By requiring background checks for voting machine personnel it reduces the potential for election fraud, by screening out applicants with known criminal records. Sincerely, Doug Wilson Greenland, NH 603 502 9234

James GoodwinSupportBrentwood, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

There needs to be background checks for all voting machine personnel. This is one small step closer to restoring our elections in Nh.

Shirley MontgomerySupportHanover, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

I think this bill would help to ensure that qualified people work with voting machines .

Leane GarlandSupportHanover, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

I appreciate the efforts of the Legislature to ensure the voting process is safe and secure. Background checks of all those that maintain and program the electronic ballot counting machines makes perfect sense. Thank you for voting Ought to Pass on this bill.

Peter CoffinSupportKingston, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

This bill will help ensure the integrity of, and maintain voter confidence in, our election processes.

Patricia WatermanSupportMerrimack, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

None

Raymond WatermanSupportMerrimack, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

None

Carol KnieriemSupportConcord, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

Background checks on companies dealing with voting machines are importantly to make sure they are not hacked.

Peggy SheetsOpposeHollis, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

Background checks on individuals overseeing the function of NH Voting machines is a good idea but too costly.

Bonnie BrunoSupportHollis, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

I don't believe that this bill is necessary because of Any election interference based on the big lie. But I do think that background checks for private companies running voting machines is agreeable. My understanding is the price check is going to make it improbable most likely

Susan SmithSupportDover, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

I support this bill because it would require background checks of the private companies and their contractors who program and maintain New Hampshire voting machines.

Janet LucasOpposeCampton, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

Unnecessary legislation and expense

Mary DaviesSupportConcord, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

Public tax money is for public schools

Nancy SheridanSupportTamworth, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

I support background checks of the private companies and their contractors who program and maintain New Hampshire voting machines

Heather PikeOpposeTamworth, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

Background checks and identification are both reasonable security measures to introduce. However, this bill also requires that a list of election workers' full legal names be made available to the public. In an era where harassment and intimidation of election workers has risen (https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/local-election-officials-survey-may-2024), this may expose employees to avoidable harm. A public list of names is not needed to prevent misconduct, and any issues that arise should be handled in a way that doesn't invite the potential targeting or intimidation of election workers by malevolent actors. Workers can be held accountable for keeping elections secure without being put at risk of abuse. If the requirement of a public list of names was removed, I would support this bill.

Cora QUISUMBING-KINGSupportDover, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

Please support HB574. This bill would assure the public of the safety of NH elections by requiring background checks of the private companies and their contractors who program and maintain New Hampshire voting machines. Thank you.

Virginia DaschbachSupportExeter, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

This bill will further support transparent and fair elections

Douglas CarmelSupportExeter, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

It is beyond me to assume why the State wouldn't want to do background checks on private companies and their contractors who program and maintain New Hampshire voting machines. Do the background checks unless you're more interested in generating a fraud on the public! Common sense needs to be common. Background checks on private companies doing business with the State should be a given and a no-brainer.

Gordon SpringateSupportWilton, NHfor MyselfMar 4, 2025

I prefer ew eliminate the voting machines and hand count ballots