Requiring applicants for absentee ballots to present a copy of their photo identification with their application.
Summary
SB 287 would change New Hampshire’s absentee voting process by requiring certain absentee ballot applicants to provide photo identification or a notarized application in order to be treated as a “verified voter.” Under the bill, if an absentee voter requests that a mailed ballot be sent to an address different from the one on the official checklist and returns the ballot by mail, the voter may be verified by voluntarily showing the clerk a qualifying photo ID before election day or by including a notarized signature on the absentee ballot application. If the voter does not provide one of those forms of verification, the voter is not treated as verified and the clerk must compare the application signature to the ballot affidavit signature on election day.
The bill also directs election officials to mark the absentee ballot affidavit envelope as “voter verified” and to note that status on the clerk’s absentee voter list. For verified voters, the signatures on the absentee ballot application would not be compared with the signature on the ballot affidavit on election day, which is a procedural change intended to streamline processing for voters who have already been verified. The act would take effect 60 days after passage.
Impact
SB 287 would amend RSA 657 by adding a new section governing verification of mail-in absentee voters, creating a new verification pathway tied to photo identification or notarization and changing how clerks handle signature review for those voters. It affects absentee ballot applicants, municipal clerks, and election administration procedures, while leaving in place existing signature-comparison rules for applicants who do not provide the required verification. The bill would not eliminate absentee voting, but it would add an additional identification-related step for certain mail-in absentee ballot requests.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill had meaningful support but also notable opposition. It received an 16-8 “Ought to Pass” vote in committee and later passed House votes on an amendment and on OTPA by relatively close margins, indicating the measure was favored by a majority but remained contested. No committee transcript is available here, so the record shows support for tighter absentee ballot verification alongside substantial concern from opponents.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the balance between election security and voter access. Supporters appear to favor requiring photo ID or notarization to verify absentee voters, especially in cases involving ballots mailed to an address different from the official checklist. Opponents likely object to adding another identification requirement for absentee voting, arguing it could create barriers for eligible voters, particularly those who have difficulty obtaining ID, notarization, or who rely on mail voting. The close vote margins indicate disagreement over whether the verification step is a reasonable safeguard or an unnecessary restriction.