The New Hampshire Legislature convened on April 29, 2025, to discuss House Bill 154, which aims to enable voters to request hand counting of their ballots. The bill seeks to clarify the process for voters who wish to ensure their votes are counted accurately without the risk of their ballots being rejected due to overvotes.

The meeting began with a presentation from a representative who outlined the bill's purpose. The representative emphasized that the legislation allows voters to request hand counting without the complications that arose during the last state election, where confusion over ballot handling led to issues with recording voter requests. The proposed bill adds a new rule to existing regulations governing electronic ballot counting devices.

During the discussion, a senator raised concerns regarding the potential for ballot jams when multiple ballots are submitted simultaneously. The senator suggested an amendment allowing voters to hand their ballots directly to election officials, who could verify that only one ballot is being submitted at a time. The representative responded positively to this suggestion, noting that privacy concerns would be the primary issue.

Further dialogue highlighted historical practices where voters handed their ballots to moderators before the introduction of counting machines. The representative confirmed that privacy screens are available at polling places to maintain voter confidentiality.

Support for the bill was expressed by Al Brandano from Kensington, who emphasized the importance of transparency and voter confidence in the electoral process. He pointed out that the current system lacks the oversight of eyewitnesses during the counting process, which is a requirement outlined in the New Hampshire Constitution.

The meeting concluded without a formal vote, but the discussions underscored the ongoing efforts to enhance the integrity of the voting process in New Hampshire. The next steps will likely involve further consideration of the proposed amendments and continued dialogue among legislators and election officials.