New Hampshire HB 1601: requiring the secretary of state to create a voter education program that includes information on recent changes to voting laws.

Bill Text

HB 1601-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION

 26-3189

 08/06

HOUSE BILL 1601-FN

AN ACT requiring the secretary of state to create a voter education program that includes information on recent changes to voting laws.

SPONSORS: Rep. Wilhelm, Hills. 21; Rep. Berry, Hills. 44

COMMITTEE: Election Law

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ANALYSIS

 This bill requires the secretary of state to create a voter education program that includes information on recent changes to voting laws.

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 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 26-3189

 08/06

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT requiring the secretary of state to create a voter education program that includes information on recent changes to voting laws.

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

 1 Voter Education Program. The secretary of state is directed to create a voter education program in order to inform voters about recent changes to voting laws. The secretary of state shall use $50,000 in funds made available through the Help America Vote Act 2002, 52 U.S.C. section 20901 et seq. in order to create the program, develop materials, and make them available to voters in the state. 

 2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage. 

 LBA

 26-3189

 12/4/25

HB 1601-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT requiring the secretary of state to create a voter education program that includes information on recent changes to voting laws.

FISCAL IMPACT: 

 Estimated State Impact

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

FY 2029

 Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Revenue Fund(s)

None

 Expenditures*

$0

$50,000

$0

$0

 Funding Source(s)

Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Funds

 Appropriations*

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Funding Source(s)

None

 *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill

METHODOLOGY:

This bill directs the Secretary of State to establish a voter education program to inform the public about recent changes to voting laws. To support this initiative, the Secretary shall allocate $50,000 from Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds.

The Department of State notes that the Secretary already operates a comprehensive voter education program. It further indicates that restricting the initiative to $50,000 may limit the program’s outreach.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of State