New Hampshire HB 1604: requiring suitable public facilities such as schools and town halls be made available as polling places upon request by local election officials.

Bill Text

HB 1604-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

11Mar2026... 0676h

2026 SESSION

 26-3195

 08/07

HOUSE BILL 1604-FN

AN ACT requiring suitable public facilities such as schools and town halls be made available as polling places upon request by local election officials.

SPONSORS: Rep. Guzofski, Rock. 1; Rep. Berry, Hills. 44; Rep. Qualey, Ches. 18; Rep. See, Merr. 26; Rep. Wherry, Hills. 13; Rep. Burnham, Straf. 2; Rep. Muirhead, Graf. 12

COMMITTEE: Election Law

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ANALYSIS

 This bill requires suitable public facilities such as schools and town halls be made available as polling places upon request by local election officials.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

 Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

11Mar2026... 0676h 26-3195

 08/07

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT requiring suitable public facilities such as schools and town halls be made available as polling places upon request by local election officials.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 New Section; Use of Public Buildings as Polling Places. Amend RSA 658 by inserting after section 9-a the following new section: 

 658:9-b Use of Public Buildings as Polling Places. 

 I. Upon request by the selectmen of a town or the ward officers of a city ward, any town-, city-, or school-owned or -operated facility within the town or ward, including any public schools, town halls, fire stations, or other municipal, school district, or charter school property, that is of sufficient size and accessibility to meet the requirements of RSA 658:9, shall be made available for use as a polling place for all elections, including state, federal, and municipal elections. 

 II. When designated as a polling place, such facility shall be reserved as necessary to ensure the conduct of the election and the free and convenient access of voters, election officials, and equipment, while permitting the continuation of normal governmental or educational operations, including emergency response and public safety services. 

 III. The municipality shall be responsible for reasonable costs directly related to such use, including custodial services, utilities, and security, unless otherwise agreed by the parties. 

 2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

 LBA

 26-3195

 3/16/26

HB 1604-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2026-0676h)

AN ACT requiring suitable public facilities such as schools and town halls be made available as polling places upon request by local election officials.

FISCAL IMPACT: 

 Estimated Political Subdivision Impact

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

FY 2029

 County Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

 County Expenditures

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Local Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Local Expenditures

$0

Indeterminable Increase more than $10,000 to $100,000 or less

METHODOLOGY:

This bill requires any suitable town, city, or school owned/operated facility within the town or ward, such as public schools, town halls, fire stations, or other municipal or, school district, or charter school property, be made available as polling places upon request by the selectmen of a town or the ward officers of a city ward. The municipality would be responsible for reasonable costs associated with custodial services, utilities, and security unless otherwise agreed upon by the relevant parties involved. 

The New Hampshire Municipal Association states adding an additional polling location could increase local expenditures by approximately $10,000 to $100,000, primarily for staffing and essential services. Furthermore, legal expenses may arise if disputes occur between facility and municipal officials regarding what constitutes reasonable costs.

It is assumed that any fiscal impact would occur after FY 2026.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

New Hampshire Municipal Association