HB289 Regarding domicile qualifications for voting.
Regarding domicile qualifications for voting.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Harmful
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
The bill has no direct financial impact on taxpayer costs or household expenses.
Your Community
The bill does not affect funding, services, or infrastructure available to local communities.
Your Freedom
This bill restricts voting eligibility for a specific group of residents by preventing legal dependents of out-of-state parents from establishing domicile for voting purposes, thereby limiting their right to vote in their place of residence.
Status
Inexpedient to Legislate: Motion Adopted Voice Vote 01/07/2026 House Journal 1 P. 50
Sponsor
Robert Wherry (R)
The Short Version
This bill restricts voting domicile eligibility by preventing legal dependents of out-of-state residents from claiming New Hampshire domicile, while clarifying that obtaining a driver's license or registering a motor vehicle demonstrates intent to establish continuous presence. The primary practical effect would be to reduce voting eligibility for certain dependent populations, most notably college students and younger adults living with out-of-state parents.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Supporters of stricter voter domicile requirements
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ Legal dependents living in New Hampshire whose parents or custodians reside out-of-state (includes college students living away from home, young adults in dependent relationships, and individuals in custody situations)
- ▼ College students from out-of-state who would lose ability to vote in their college towns
Bill statuses as of October 7, 2026. Check LegiScan or NH General Court for the latest.
This bill was auto-scored using AI analysis of the bill text and legislative data. Scores may be refined as we review more bills.