Committee weighs several election‑administration bills: records, UOCAVA access, online and DMV registration
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Summary
Lawmakers heard multiple bills on records management (HB 11‑63), UOCAVA absentee‑list access (HB 13‑42), online/direct voter registration (HB 16‑78) and DMV registration (HB 1,600). The secretary of state and DMV described existing systems and urged careful drafting of any technical mandates.
CONCORD — The House Election Law Committee spent a sizable portion of its hearing on a cluster of bills aimed at modernizing election records and registration procedures, and on clarifying public access to certain absentee voter lists.
Al Brandano testified in favor of HB 11‑63 (a uniform election records management system), alleging what he said was an altered chain‑of‑custody document for returned recount ballots and noting he had filed a HAVA complaint. "That document was altered," Brandano said, pressing the committee for stronger paper‑trail protections.
Secretary of State David Scanlon answered that the office has upgraded systems in recent years, said he ‘‘has much greater confidence in our election process than some witnesses,’’ and offered to work with the committee on specific drafting, adding, "Forms do not change that are prescribed by the legislature unless the legislature makes changes to those forms, period."
On records access and overseas voters, Representative McGrath introduced HB 13‑42 to ensure UOCAVA absentee records are available for inspection like other absentee lists. Testimony highlighted the tension between federal privacy/receipt rules for UOCAVA applicants and New Hampshire’s reporting and auditing needs. Deputy Secretary Brendan O’Donnell and Scanlon cautioned the committee to harmonize state practice with federal law and noted existing EAC reporting and potential audit options.
Representative Long and supporters spoke for HB 16‑78 to create a secure online portal and allow the Secretary of State to accept registrations directly, saying online registration improves access and accuracy. DMV representatives and the Secretary of State urged caution: New Hampshire’s exemption from the National Voter Registration Act has created a different local‑centered registry system and any new portal or central registration flow should preserve local supervisors’ authority and verification steps.
On DMV‑based registration (HB 1,600), DMV staff described recent operational changes (appointment system, Real ID uptake) and said adding election‑registration transactions would increase time per customer and require modest system changes; they did not take a position but provided technical detail. Secretary Scanlon asked committees to avoid inserting broad administrative‑rule delegations into statutes and said the secretary’s office has already negotiated a memorandum of understanding with DMV to share qualification information.
No committee decisions were made; staff and members agreed further work sessions or technical amendments will be needed for each bill.
