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HB 158

requiring the secretary of state to review absentee ballot data biennially, forward certain requests to the election law unit for review, and make a report to the general court.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kevin Avard and 8 co-sponsors

The bill establishes a biennial review of absentee ballot data by the Secretary of State, with certain data requests referred to the Election Law Unit and a report to the General C

Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 158

Bill Summary – HB 158 (New Hampshire, 2026 Session)

Overview

HB 158 would require the New Hampshire Secretary of State to undertake an official review of absentee ballot data on a biennial basis, refer certain requests related to absentee ballot data to the Election Law Unit for review, and deliver a report on these activities to the General Court (the state legislature).

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish a formal, recurring process to examine absentee ballot data in New Hampshire.
  • Ensure consistent oversight and scrutiny of absentee voting practices and data, with findings and recommendations communicated to lawmakers.
  • Create a mechanism for centralized handling of specific data requests by routing them to the Election Law Unit for expert review.

Key Provisions

  • Biennial Review: The Secretary of State must review absentee ballot data every two years. The statute likely specifies scope (e.g., data types, timeframes, and methods), though exact details are not listed in the provided summary.
  • Referral to Election Law Unit: For certain requests concerning absentee ballot data, the bill requires forwarding to the Election Law Unit for review. This ensures specialized examination of legal or procedural questions related to data requests.
  • Reporting to General Court: The Secretary of State must prepare and submit a report describing the review process, findings, and any recommendations to the General Court. The report cadence aligns with the biennial review (likely every two years).

Who Is Affected

  • Secretary of State’s Office: Responsible for conducting the biennial reviews, coordinating with the Election Law Unit, and producing the official report.
  • Election Law Unit: Assigned to review specific absentee ballot data requests referred under the bill, bringing legal and policy expertise to data-related inquiries.
  • General Court (Legislature): Receives the biennial report, which could inform future legislation or oversight related to absentee voting and election data practices.
  • Public and Elections Stakeholders: Indirectly affected through enhanced transparency and potential oversight implications stemming from the biennial reviews and the data-request process.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and Referral Pathway: The bill would establish a formal process beginning with the Secretary of State’s biennial review schedule and the requirement to route certain requests to the Election Law Unit.
  • Reporting Schedule: A formal report to the General Court is required following each biennial review. The exact timing (e.g., by a specific date in the legislative session) is not specified in the summary but would be defined in the bill’s text.
  • Committee Consideration History: The bill has undergone multiple rounds of committee review and amendments, including:
    • Ought to Pass with Amendment in committee (2026-03-18)
    • Committee Amendment #2026-1214s and related votes (March 2026)
    • Public hearings and earlier iterations dating back to introductions in 2025 and 2026
    • Presentation and votes in the Senate Committee on Rules and presumably Senate/House reconciliation processes

Additional Notes

  • The bill’s language would clarify the scope of “absentee ballot data” (e.g., data elements, privacy protections) and define which “requests” must be forwarded to the Election Law Unit.
  • Depending on the final amendments, the bill could impact how absentee voting data is requested, reviewed, and reported, with potential implications for transparency and data governance.

If you’d like, I can pull the exact statutory language and draft a more granular section-by-section outline, including definitions, data privacy considerations, and reporting deadlines as currently proposed.

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

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