[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6379802,"mediaKeyId","2135161-2aca9318c3a1d1e1a0422e8d47e67528","parentId",2135161,"title","Panel approves tighter limits on electioneering by public employees after heated debate","audioSeconds",6164,"startMs",4078000,"endMs",10242000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2135161-2aca9318c3a1d1e1a0422e8d47e67528&start=4078&end=10242","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2135161-2aca9318c3a1d1e1a0422e8d47e67528/thumbnail_4078000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6379802/New-Hampshire/Panel-approves-tighter-limits-on-electioneering-by-public-employees-after-heated-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379802-27cee5faf93515600fa7a41c35281c37/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172617&Signature=ivZ~5e1bkoe5MNW8skHUiCOP9byq480DGiltkJm9j4C80vmcy~vebmQjlJZFapHXBH6F1wpB8DPSdQyj5tyABc1FOfpRMBGm3owHDWI1H2h6E6CfF-dAcvwDcuo0Wj7OZZBDVeqehJyJfyzo3caXce1maiR6~FWjsEs8gXkiNiP8P09MTUmiPpNNY~utkyJHjEcHinrhCVueUr5ogRzNIEDMxatPPyNHSRaelCvs0DLxsqqLGpBD~AZEJXPPD1nJXQItkp4H8rasgsE7ulPqm4EE~qsMdcgR5-GFgNxsn8P872YPqPi6rxs8C2cH5RyYUM8FCfl1U1XRnnsill6b5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","NH House of Representatives Committee","date","2025-01-21T00:00:00Z","article","The House Election Law Committee voted 10-8 to recommend HB 340 as amended, a bill that expands the statutory prohibition on electioneering by public employees and adds illustrative examples of prohibited conduct.

Representative Lisa Mazer introduced the bill, saying public employees paid with tax dollars should remain neutral in elections. \"This bill is important so that public employees who we pay with our tax dollars remain neutral during state and local elections and serve all citizens regardless of political affiliation,\" Mazer said during the hearing.

Supporters pointed to specific local incidents: Mazer described a municipal library that circulated a questionnaire she characterized as politically biased; a former school board member from Nashua, Doris Hohensey, testified about union email distribution using district networks and urged stronger deterrents; and David Nelson, Derry town moderator, asked the committee for clarity so employees who operate community access video and IT systems would not be chilled from providing routine logistical support for candidate forums.

Opponents — including the New Hampshire Municipal Association and the NEA New Hampshire — argued the draft language was overly broad and could chill constitutionally protected speech or unintentionally restrict neutral university polling and other legitimate public functions. Sarah Burk Cohen, legislative advocate for NHMA, said the proposal was vague and could create a \"chilling effect\" on public employees who are unsure what speech is prohibited. Brian Hawkins of NEA New Hampshire told the committee the expansion \"vastly expands the electioneering statute\" and raised enforcement and due-process concerns.

The committee considered an amendment (2025-029H) that corrected numbering and broadened the statute’s language to cover \"directors and appointed positions\" and to replace narrower phrasing with a standard referring to speech \"designed or having the effect of influencing\" a voter’s choice. The amendment passed on the committee floor by a recorded vote of 15-2.

After debate the committee voted 10-8 to recommend the bill \"ought to pass as amended.\" Dissenting members said the language remains vague and could unintentionally capture neutral activities such as university-conducted public-opinion surveys and community access television coverage; supporters said the broader wording was needed to address repeated local examples of public employees using government resources to influence elections.

Representative Ross Berry, the committee chair, said the amendment and final bill aim to preserve ordinary public access to public spaces while preventing employees from using taxpayer-funded time or equipment to influence electoral outcomes. The committee record indicates the sponsors plan additional work on enforcement and standing in related bills.

Votes at a glance:
Amendment 2025-029H — adoption: 15 yes, 2 no.
HB 340 as amended — Motion: \"Ought to pass as amended.\" Committee vote: yes 10, no 8.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Election Law (01/21/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","The House Election Law Committee approved HB 340 as amended, a bill that adds examples and expands the prohibition on electioneering by public employees; the committee vote was 10-8 after an amendment carried 15-2.","taxTitle","Election Law, House of Representatives, Committees\t, Legislative, New Hampshire","taxId",17746,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6379807,"Committee recommends changing audit timing to follow recounts",175,3831000,4006000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2135161-2aca9318c3a1d1e1a0422e8d47e67528&start=3831&end=4006","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2135161-2aca9318c3a1d1e1a0422e8d47e67528/thumbnail_3831000.jpg","/articles/6379807/New-Hampshire/Committee-recommends-changing-audit-timing-to-follow-recounts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379807-263f612418b267d6ac6cbd2e0c7b12a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172617&Signature=fRXTzV1esPMz9yipVo9UNJHi3sURMyyPN3k-DQlL6bcoEvmT5CHX3lP9Mpf0qz9~ppO2R0KX8d0UwiekvdzqbIIMMNZXVnMadwFgCWw3Ga3OhjEo5qstyhLc4ebwE2q8qWYzY~oky2DbLrSOxEQGWUV2VibQ3Jb0C8Lq9CeRmeQWyEhyrn6J1XV5SX1UuecmKRKBGxa~gHBs0RWrTZFRlaw13NwQOTEKbpxu7Ny~7PByS0WUT1V1EyejLPwQVxKImByHkjcSQN75CeeT8-c2vl-kCrotOfL2q12sEOjhi0tLDLj-MqWIrDAhtOi~REJ6nWRuNjC0-4OVefBBfcl~mA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Election Law Committee unanimously recommended HB 261, a bill that moves the timing of certain post-election audits to occur after the completion of recounts.

Representative Robert Wherry introduced the bill, saying audits are important but the current requirement to conduct audits before recounts creates logistical problems when recount teams, lawyers and observers must wait for long periods. \"This bill simply moves the audits to after the recount portion,\" Wherry said during the hearing.

Deputy Secretary of State Erin Hennessy told the committee the office supports the change. Hennessy said the November recounts in the last cycle included a small number of recounts but that in heavier recount years the pre-recount audit schedule could delay certification and the orderly seating of representatives in December. \"If we were to have as many recounts as we had in, say, 2022, we may not have been able to have finished the recounts in time to call you folks to take your seats,\" she said.

In executive session the committee adopted the motion that HB 261 \"ought to pass.\" The committee recorded an 18-0 recommendation in favor of the bill.

The bill changes the statutory sequencing so that audits meant to check top-of-ticket races take place after recounts, reducing the time that observers and litigants must wait around during recount proceedings and aligning operational practice with recount logistics.","The committee voted unanimously to recommend HB 261, which would require post-election audits to occur after any recounts are completed to improve logistics for recount teams and candidates.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6379813,"Secretary of State briefs House Election Law Committee on new voter database, ballot devices and HAVA funds",514,710000,1224000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2135161-2aca9318c3a1d1e1a0422e8d47e67528&start=710&end=1224","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2135161-2aca9318c3a1d1e1a0422e8d47e67528/thumbnail_710000.jpg","/articles/6379813/New-Hampshire/Secretary-of-State-briefs-House-Election-Law-Committee-on-new-voter-database-ballot-devices-and-HAVA-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379813-9dca5ad5db6e6914bde354345d3aa80a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172617&Signature=Z4Hic6OUOjvd4JXA6ydkM8BdM4~cMlanMSxDCsjt5PTSJTRSao24gbzext~MVQfecOQHRcUZTjuEMqToySnOxCH5L8c4c4qLswPjgEFtWF3Vke0XbvaSiB1SaYtM0uAKjEnECPP~Qg910Ua36naCWF3E7dmHt29G1l9Nxrtsb4iwV4wpkl-Cyp0L6rJ-1k17N39E53wYs7Q4GWQB2Nf-1ditUjM527x4rEAJya1cPxlks8S7p4qVKcHb-qPqsqd3slIS-NKjpg-PL8RTFaBNenbXMJG5DfR0cxRIzLlmeOjpQ7gOa5kARSOoguiFPvJMSBgmcFNG206ggMnE863NkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During a committee orientation, Secretary of State David Scanlon and Deputy Secretary Erin Hennessy summarized recent election-administration changes and resources available to committee members and municipal officials.

Scanlon highlighted a newly deployed voter registration database, cyber-security protections, and two ballot counting devices approved by the Ballot Law Commission to replace the legacy AccuVote/OccuVote systems. \"The newer devices use digital scan technology, which means that an image of every single ballot can be recorded,\" he said, noting that image capture supports broader post-election audits.

Scanlon identified one vendor with federal Election Assistance Commission approval and said several towns are already using the VotingWorks device, which relies on open-source software. The other vendor referenced was Dominion’s ImageCast machine; Scanlon said that device was still awaiting final approvals and deployment by its vendor.

The secretary also described expanded use of electronic poll books in many municipalities, which allow any voter to check in at any line and permit instant tallies for supervisors of the checklist. Scanlon said the state has \"more funds in the Help America Vote Act, election fund account than we need to actually run that program,\" and his office has been cost-sharing purchases with cities and towns for devices and e-pollbook deployments.

Deputy Secretary Erin Hennessy described staffing at the office and outreach work including a voter and civics outreach coordinator and an education initiative aimed at recruiting poll workers and educating various constituencies, from students to seniors and veterans. She told the committee the office will publish an updated election law handbook this summer and offered in-person tours of the HAVA office and archives for members.

Committee members asked about the amount in the state HAVA account and the timeline for making new devices available; Scanlon estimated the HAVA balance at roughly $12 million from his last count and recommended a cautious procurement timetable to ensure buy-in from both disability advocates and municipalities.

The briefing set the technical and fiscal context for subsequent hearings on bills the committee handled that day.","Secretary of State staff briefed the committee on a new statewide voter registration database, recent device approvals and the state’s use of HAVA funds to support municipalities purchasing accessible voting machines and electronic poll books.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6379817,"House panel backs making accessible voting machines program permanent",7384,1392000,8776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2135161-2aca9318c3a1d1e1a0422e8d47e67528&start=1392&end=8776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2135161-2aca9318c3a1d1e1a0422e8d47e67528/thumbnail_1392000.jpg","/articles/6379817/New-Hampshire/House-panel-backs-making-accessible-voting-machines-program-permanent","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379817-e9cb8ce62d2d2d5ee3204f48be52679c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172617&Signature=Cy7P~asVXfJgzzUj7gyCcUdkR3uztyRY-34vAGdO9b3VID8EHb81YOFgMLGG-lNT2VkDH2naPohI36FcMuMCE1LHcx5-nRs1SWlMH8opwKakhu-fVqE74oWIam91NO20lhJaUtKcORhoWMZK8sK4k~TY7YROhjFKpBpQHnVHacA1AjEaHJa1GWSgXSa7TcsddSZLWfpYMbz3IllMaYV4fZxbQPhG32WYGyBTU6wQXJ-T5TUtxDPlJ5y~Cxg14o3ILW8R4lUvxXa1p4U46Cj3U4u-pHWNdr7fVWjNjMv0ItFiTRr9TtHYTcD85fGs5QUWNn7syfDeYGvMKjlgNeZKzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Election Law Committee voted 17-0 to recommend that the full House pass HB 67, a bill to convert a temporary pilot program that shares state-owned accessible voting machines with municipalities into a permanent statewide arrangement and to authorize funding for additional equipment.

The bill was introduced by Representative Robert Wherry, who said the measure would finish work begun in 2024 to expand private, independent voting for people with disabilities. \"This bill simply seeks to remove the pilot program or to move the pilot program into a permanent agreement beginning in July of 2025,\" Wherry said during the committee hearing.

The bill follows last year’s HB 1264, which required the Secretary of State’s office to pilot the sharing of accessible voting machines with towns during the first six months of 2025 to cover town-meeting sessions. David Scanlon, New Hampshire’s secretary of state, told the committee the office has already made state-owned devices available to towns for the March town meetings and is ready to provide hardware, but warned municipalities about programming costs. \"Depending on the type of election, the programming could be significantly higher,\" Scanlon said, estimating simple ballots could cost about $600 to program and more complex setups — for example multiple ballots for town and school — could cost hundreds more for the same town.

Deputy Secretary of State Erin Hennessy said the office supports the general goal of statewide availability but urged a modest delay in the bill's effective date to give clerks and the office more time to vet devices and procurement: \"If we were to move to January 1, 2026, I think we could better meet the requirements of the legislation,\" she said, noting fiscal details would be addressed in the Finance Committee.

Testimony from disability advocates and local officials at the public hearing emphasized the practical effect of the machines. Fred Fournier, who said he is legally blind, described using the devices in Exeter and said the machines let him \"navigate a ballot just like the sighted people do.\" Members of the Coalition of Blind and Vision Impaired Voters, municipal clerks and the New Hampshire Municipal Association also urged the committee to make the pilot permanent, while several clerks asked for more time to assess costs and device options.

Scanlon and Hennessy told the committee the state is vetting replacement voting devices; one vendor has Election Assistance Commission (EAC) approval, and several towns already use a VotingWorks device that records an image of each ballot. The secretary's office also said it has a balance in the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) account it can use to cost-share purchases with municipalities; Representative Matt Wilhelm asked the HAVA balance and Scanlon replied it was \"probably in the $12,000,000 range\" from his last count.

In executive session the committee adopted the committee report recommending HB 67 ought to pass. The report notes fiscal issues will follow to Finance; the committee record shows Representative Harvey Beaulieu declared a conflict and did not participate in the vote.

If enacted, the bill would move the Secretary of State’s pilot program into a permanent program and authorize funding for additional accessible voting systems for town and municipal elections. Implementation details, procurement and any timeline changes were emphasized repeatedly during testimony as matters for the Secretary of State’s office and municipal clerks to coordinate.

Votes at a glance:
HB 67 — Motion: \"Ought to pass.\" Mover: Representative Robert Wherry; Second: Representative Connie Lane. Committee vote: yes 17, no 0; one member declared a conflict and did not participate.

The committee record shows strong public support from disability-advocacy groups and municipal officials, and the Secretary of State’s office urging a modest schedule shift to allow procurement and programming logistics to be completed without disrupting municipal administrators.","The House Election Law Committee voted unanimously to recommend HB 67, which would move a temporary pilot that shares state-owned accessible voting machines with towns into a permanent program and authorize funding to buy additional systems.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Panel approves tighter limits on electioneering by public employees after heated debate

Committee recommends changing audit timing to follow recounts

Secretary of State briefs House Election Law Committee on new voter database, ballot devices and HAVA funds

House panel backs making accessible voting machines program permanent