New Hampshire 2026 Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 1 D · 1 R cosponsors

HB 1381 — extending the time of the party filing period.

Last action — Signed by Governor Ayotte 06/11/2026; Chapter 129; eff. I. Sec 2 eff 1/1/28 II. Rem eff 6/11/26

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 04, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte (Republican) on June 22, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 70% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (1 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

This bill extends the filing period for parties.

The bill increases the amount of time allowed for parties to file. This change may affect how parties prepare for elections.

Summary

extending the time of the party filing period.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

49 added · 44 removed

Plain-language change summary

The changes made to Bill HB 1381 clarify the process for filling vacancies when a candidate does not file a declaration for a primary election. Specifically, it now states that the chairperson of the appropriate party committee must notify the secretary of state about the designated person to fill the vacancy. Additionally, this designated person is required to file their declaration of candidacy within 10 business days after the candidate filing period closes. These updates are important because they ensure a clearer and more timely process for nominations, which helps maintain the integrity and efficiency of the election process.

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HB 1381 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 04/16/2026 1325s 4Jun2026...
CHAPTER 129 HB 1381 - FINAL VERSION 04/16/2026 1325s 4Jun2026...
HB 1381 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 04/16/2026 1325s 4Jun2026...
CHAPTER 129 HB 1381 - FINAL VERSION 04/16/2026 1325s 4Jun2026...
1 Candidate Filing;
129:1 Candidate Filing;
2 Elections;
129:2 Elections;
The person so designated may accept the nomination by filing with the secretary of state a declaration of candidacy as provided in RSA 655:17 within 10 business days following the close of the candidate filing period established by RSA 655:14.
The person so designated may accept the nomination by filing with the secretary of state a declaration of candidacy as provided in RSA 655:17 within 10 business days following the close of the candidate filing period established by RSA 655:14Any candidate accepting a nomination under this paragraph who has already filed for an incompatible office as defined in RSA 655:10 shall withdraw the prior filing.
Any candidate accepting a nomination under this paragraph who has already filed for an incompatible office as defined in RSA 655:10 shall withdraw the prior filing.
If the candidate is designated for the office of governor, councilor, state senator, or state representative, he or she HB 1381 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 2 - shall also file on or before the [Wednesday] second Friday following the period for filing declarations of candidacy the appropriate affidavit as provided in RSA 655:29.
If the candidate is designated for the office of governor, councilor, state senator, or state representative, he or she shall also file on or before the [Wednesday] second Friday following the period for filing declarations of candidacy the appropriate affidavit as provided in RSA 655:29.
Any candidate so designated by a party committee who has not filed all the forms required by this section within the required period of time shall not have his or her name printed on the state primary election ballot for that office.
Any candidate so designated by a party committee who has not filed all the forms required by this CHAPTER 129 HB 1381 - FINAL VERSION - Page 2 - section within the required period of time shall not have his or her name printed on the state primary election ballot for that office.
3 Effective Date.
129:3 Effective Date.
Approved:
June 11, 2026 Effective Date:
I.
Section 2 effective January 1, 2028 II.
Remainder effective June 11, 2026
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Action History

  1. Signed by Governor Ayotte 06/11/2026; Chapter 129; eff. I. Sec 2 eff 1/1/28 II. Rem eff 6/11/26

  2. Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14

  3. Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2143e: AA VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15

  4. Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15

  5. Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2143e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14

  6. Conference Committee Report 2026-2093c: Adopted, VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15

  7. Conference Committee Report # 2026-2093c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14

  8. Conference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2093c; 06/04/2026

  9. Conference Committee Meeting: 05/27/2026 10:30 am GP 228

  10. President Appoints: Senators Gray, Lang, Perkins Kwoka; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13

  11. Sen. Gray Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13

  12. Speaker Appoints: Reps. Berry, Qualey, Lane, Wilhelm 04/23/2026 HJ 11

  13. House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1325s (Rep. Berry): MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11

  14. Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1325s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/16/2026; SJ 9

  15. Committee Amendment # 2026-1325s, AA, VV; 04/16/2026; SJ 9

  16. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1325s, 04/16/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 14

  17. Hearing: 03/31/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 02:00 pm; SC 12

  18. Introduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 6

  19. Ought to Pass: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 15

  20. Committee Report: Ought to Pass 02/10/2026 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 9 P. 14

  21. Executive Session: 02/10/2026 11:00 am GP 158

  22. Public Hearing: 02/03/2026 11:20 am GP 158

  23. Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Election Law HJ 1 P. 18

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 413 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (413)

413 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 413 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

elections
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does HB 1381 do?
extending the time of the party filing period.
Who sponsors HB 1381?
HB 1381 is sponsored by Ross Berry (Republican) and Matthew Wilhelm (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB 1381?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 04, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 1381?
Track HB 1381 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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