Senate advances indigent-voter citizenship assistance bill after rejecting floor amendment
April 09, 2026 | Legislative Administration, House of Representatives, Committees , Legislative, New Hampshire
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The Senate on March 26 moved House Bill 365FN forward after debate over a floor amendment aimed at simplifying the process for indigent voters to obtain documentary proof of U.S. citizenship.
Senator Lang, presenting the Finance Committee recommendation, said the bill creates a program for local officials to help indigent voters obtain birth certificates and requires the Secretary of State to reimburse municipalities; the committee recommended passage by a 5–2 vote and identified an appropriation of $50,000 for the biennium ending June 30, 2027.
Senator Perkins Qua offered floor amendment 20261407s seeking to simplify the procedure by connecting registration processes to electronic records from the Department of Safety and the Social Security Administration; Perkins Qua said the change would reduce barriers for voters who cannot afford costs associated with obtaining documentation. Senator Gray and others opposed the amendment on grounds of privacy and because the existing process had helped 258 people, according to the Secretary of State’s office, and argued the current safeguards were necessary. The amendment failed on a voice vote.
After debate the Senate adopted 'ought to pass' on House Bill 365FN and ordered the bill to third reading. The transcript records committee vote counts and floor voice votes, but no roll‑call vote listing individual senators for the floor adoption was given.
The bill proceeds to third reading for final consideration.
Senator Lang, presenting the Finance Committee recommendation, said the bill creates a program for local officials to help indigent voters obtain birth certificates and requires the Secretary of State to reimburse municipalities; the committee recommended passage by a 5–2 vote and identified an appropriation of $50,000 for the biennium ending June 30, 2027.
Senator Perkins Qua offered floor amendment 20261407s seeking to simplify the procedure by connecting registration processes to electronic records from the Department of Safety and the Social Security Administration; Perkins Qua said the change would reduce barriers for voters who cannot afford costs associated with obtaining documentation. Senator Gray and others opposed the amendment on grounds of privacy and because the existing process had helped 258 people, according to the Secretary of State’s office, and argued the current safeguards were necessary. The amendment failed on a voice vote.
After debate the Senate adopted 'ought to pass' on House Bill 365FN and ordered the bill to third reading. The transcript records committee vote counts and floor voice votes, but no roll‑call vote listing individual senators for the floor adoption was given.
The bill proceeds to third reading for final consideration.
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