NH House Testimony

SB43

Senate · 2025 sessionRepublicanSigned into law

Campaign clothing and e-poll books

AI

Allows voters to wear certain articles of clothing supporting a candidate or measure while casting a ballot and permits the use of electronic poll book devices at town meetings, special meetings, and deliberative sessions.

(New Title) removing articles of clothing from the definition of electioneering and the use of electronic poll book devices.

ElectionsMunicipalities

Status

Signed into law · July 22, 2025
  1. Introduced
  2. Senate
  3. House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Division of testimony

208 submissions
Support 11Oppose 197Neutral 0
Susan McHughOpposeManchester, NHfor MyselfMay 27, 2025

I oppose this bill.

Chrisinda LynchOpposeConcord, NHfor MyselfMay 27, 2025

Female

Phil HatcherOpposeDover, NHfor Myselfflagged non-germaneMay 27, 2025

I oppose allowing electioneering clothing in polling places, but I support the use of e-poll works for town meetings.

Michelle FlynnOpposePortsmouth, NHfor MyselfApr 22, 2025

we should not be making it harder for people to vote, DO YOUR JOB!!

Carolyn CastellucciOpposeTamworth, NHfor MyselfApr 22, 2025

Wearing clothing for or against candidates, can be intimidating to voters waiting to cast their ballot, may cause issues at polling places.

Carol AllenOpposeNorth Hampton, NHfor MyselfApr 22, 2025

What do you not understand about electioneering?!?

Lorna CarlisleOpposeSalisbury, NHfor MyselfApr 22, 2025

this could easily turn into intimidation if large groups wear specific messages. Let's keep the polling places free from electioneering

Rebecca PowellOpposeEnfield, NHfor MyselfApr 22, 2025

This is electioneering in the polling place. Unacceptable! Voters are often not “active or expeditious” as the bill prescribes; they’ll hang around and chat, so wearing partisan gear could have a prejudicial effect.

Gail McPeekOpposeEnfield, NHfor MyselfApr 22, 2025

I oppose this bill that amends the current law regarding clothing at voting places. The current law keeps voting civil and respects privacy; the amendment could lead to civil discourse and harassment. Please oppose.

Rosalind LowenOpposelincoln, NHfor MyselfApr 22, 2025

Wearing clothing promoting a bill or a person is electioneering and should not be allowed inside a polling place.

pauline doucetOpposeLaconia, NHfor MyselfApr 22, 2025

I work the polls and it’s disruptive when folk wear their political clothing keep it out of the polls !!!!!!

Rosemary D'ArcyOpposeBristol, NHfor MyselfApr 22, 2025

I believe that it should remain a requirement that voters should not wear clothing that supports a candidate or measure while voting. My only concern is that the current law has no teeth. Having been a poll worker for a number of years, I have watched our public officials ask people politely to remove (usually hats), or cover (which isn’t always easy to do) shirts or other items of clothing. I don’t think we should keep them from voting, but I also think we should do a better job of warning people in advance of voting day that this is the law and should be followed.

Kathleen MalsbendenOpposeNewmarket, NHfor MyselfApr 22, 2025

We don’t need articles of clothing to tell us how someone will vote. It should be kept private and not become a trigger for someone who disagrees.

Cynthia WilsonOpposeNew Boston, NHfor MyselfApr 22, 2025

I oppose this bill.

Debra QuinlanOpposeMONT VERNON, NHfor MyselfApr 22, 2025

I am female, have always been female, and my greatest joy throughout my school years was participating in sports. My three daughters (also born female) all participated in school sports. It's absurd and insulting that this type of bill is presented as protection for girls. We don't want this type of "protection". The opportunity to participate in sports should not be denied to anyone. The percentage of girls that are trans and wish to participate in sports is so low that this is simply a non-issue. The impact on girls sports is negligible and the impact on the general public is basically non-existent. There are plenty of issues right now in need of your attention that have the potential for devastating consequences for a large portion of our population. Please stop this witch hunt.

Royal RichardsonOpposeChester, NHfor MyselfApr 22, 2025

Please give consideration to declining to support SB 43. This bill amends the current law regarding electioneering by allowing voters to wear clothing that supports a candidate or measure while casting their vote. Specifically, it modifies RSA 652:16-h, I to clarify that wearing clothing or paraphernalia displaying a candidate's name, likeness, logo, or any political communication is permissible in polling places. I oppose this Bill and the changes that it suggests. This change would allow voters to wear supportive clothing while casting their vote at the polling place. Unfortunately, many of these “supportive” items could be seen as inflammatory by others in opposition to that position. In these contentious time, that can only lead to conflict with voters that already feel aggrieved for some reason. I believe that this will result in undue stress and issues for the Poll Workers to deal with during the time when they already need to be focused on management of the various mandated processes associated with the election. I urge you to give consideration to our Poll Workers and the important work that they do for us. This change is unnecessary and will only lead to issues that will detract from the successful conduct of our elections. I urge you to vote in opposition to SB 43. Thank-you for your service and consideration of this bill. Royal M. Richardson

Dawson WinchOpposeBartlett, NHfor MyselfApr 22, 2025

This increases the chance for confrontation - making election officials nervous and creating a hostile voting experience for voters - election officials should not express a bias but the voting public should be allowed to wear what they want.

Nancy JerauldOpposeLitchfield, NHfor MyselfApr 22, 2025

I oppose this bill, Voters should not be allowed to wear clothing supporting one candidate or another at a polling place. I would find it offensive to be in line at a the polls standing behind or in front of someone wearing a tee shirt or hat of the opposing party or candidate. Frankly passing this bill will incite trouble at the polls. Emotions run high regarding certain candidates. Allowing partisan clothing will unnecessarily increase conflict at polling places, disrupting the peaceful gathering of the electorate. PLEASE VOTE NO.

Carolyn Morse-FinnOpposeNottingham, NH, NHfor MyselfApr 22, 2025

Please OPPOSE this bill. No need to wear clothing that contributes to electioneering. Terrible idea.

Michael EtzelOpposeMont Vernon, NHfor MyselfApr 22, 2025

No need for this change. Keep the clothing as it is now!

Katherine RichardsonSupportSurry, NHfor MyselfApr 22, 2025

I approve of this bill as it supports my right to voice my opinion.

Gregory DavisOpposeSalem, NHfor MyselfApr 22, 2025

This will increase a growing tension at polling places. Let's keep electioneering to a bare minimum.

Kent HackmannOpposeAndover, NHfor MyselfApr 22, 2025

What problem is this bill trying to solve?

Debora HatcherOpposeDover, NHfor MyselfApr 22, 2025

I am an independent voter in Dover. I am worried about the increasing interference by politicians and special interest groups in our elections, including threats and intimidation of voters. This bill will increase these problems. I can only assume that since SB43 is sponsored by a Republican that removing "articles of clothing" from the definition of electioneering is an effort to allow MAGA hats in polling places. I won't waste your time explaining why this creates an intimidating environment for some voters. Others can of course seek to counter the intimidation with apparel of their own, but that will just escalate the problem of electioneering at the polls. Everybody in Concord is always talking about election integrity. Show you really mean it and vote against this bill.

Elizabeth BlackSupportConcord, NHfor MyselfApr 22, 2025

This legislation would encourage electioneering using clothing, an increasingly common form of political expression. Voters are entitled to navigate the election process without influence from others.