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Committee Weighs SB438 to Link DMV and Secretary of State Records to Speed Voter Verification
Summary
SB438 would require a formal data‑sharing agreement between the Department of Safety (DMV) and the Secretary of State to let verified DMV records help resolve voter‑registration discrepancies; supporters said the move would reduce check‑in delays, and state election officials described a recent rollout that verified roughly 250 voters using similar inquiry tools.
Representative Connie Lane introduced SB438, which (as amended) would require the Department of Safety and the Secretary of State to enter a formal agreement enabling DMV and driver‑license records to be used to verify entries in the centralized voter registration database and to set periodic review requirements for the agreement.
Supporters told the committee the measure would reduce confusion at the polls and improve the accuracy of the voter rolls. Samantha Buckley, director of policy for Secure Democracy USA, said a secure link between the two agencies would “bolster the integrity of New Hampshire's elections without burdening voters” and allow officials to verify information the state already holds.
Kaylee Estradio of Open Democracy added that connecting existing verified records can reduce delays caused when election workers need to cross‑check information at the check‑in table; she cited long waits in the fall municipal elections tied to recent statutory changes.
Deputy Secretary of State Brendan O'Donnell described prior work between the Secretary of State and the Division of Motor Vehicles, saying the office rolled out new inquiry features in the statewide voter registration system that local officials can use. O'Donnell reported the inquiry tool had verified about 250 voters during earlier elections and that most local officials gave positive feedback on the rollout.
Committee members asked about overlap with HB1600 and differences in statutory language; O'Donnell said the bills use different phrasing but share the practical goal of ensuring local officials can access DMV‑verified information at check‑in and that remote support is available if lines lose internet access. Lawmakers also discussed review intervals, cost allocation, and implementation details.
The chair reported public testimony: in‑person submissions were 6 in favor and 0 opposed; online submissions were 107 in favor and 4 opposed. The public hearing closed with no committee action taken during the session.
What happens next: Committee members indicated the bill would likely move to technical work on agreement language, cost and privacy safeguards, and coordination with HB1600's provisions to avoid duplication and ensure adequate local‑level support.
