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SB 213

relative to electioneering by public employees and relative to absentee voting.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by James Gray

New Hampshire bill restricts public employee electioneering and modifies absentee voting; Governor vetoed, veto sustained due to insufficient override votes.

Notwithstanding the Governor's Veto, Shall SB 213 Become Law: RC 0Y-24N, Veto Sustained, lacking the necessary two-thirds vote; 10/23/2025; SJ 18
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 213

Legislative bill overview

SB 213 addresses two separate election-related matters: restricting electioneering activities by public employees and modifying absentee voting procedures in New Hampshire. The bill was passed by the legislature but vetoed by the Governor in August 2025, and the veto was sustained when the legislature fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to override it in October 2025.

Why is this important

Public employee electioneering restrictions and absentee voting rules directly affect how elections are administered and who can participate. These provisions touch on foundational democratic principles including voting access, government neutrality, and electoral integrity—issues that generate significant public debate across the political spectrum.

Potential points of contention

  • Public employee speech rights: Restrictions on electioneering by government workers raise First Amendment questions about whether such limits are appropriately tailored or overly broad in scope
  • Absentee voting accessibility: Changes to absentee voting procedures could either expand or restrict voter participation depending on the specific modifications, affecting which populations are most impacted
  • Government neutrality concerns: Restrictions on employee political activity may be viewed as either necessary safeguards against institutional bias or as inappropriate limitations on individual political expression

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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