CACR5

CACR5 would amend the New Hampshire Constitution to remove the requirement that voters state a specific excuse to obtain an absentee ballot. Supporters frame the change as removing unnecessary barriers to voting and addressing real obstacles such as work schedules, health, age, and limited polling access, while opponents argue that expanding absentee eligibility beyond the traditional military/disability/out-of-state categories weakens election integrity and increases the risk of fraud.

• Voting should be made as easy and accessible as possibleSupport22 of 65 reviewed

  Supporters argue the state should lower barriers to voting generally, framing a no-excuse absentee option as a straightforward way to make voting easier and more accessible for all eligible voters.

  • “I support this bill. All NH citizens deserve to have their votes heard without meaningless obstacles.”

    — Christine Bachrach, Grantham · #404073 — read full submission →

  • “It is the fundamental right in a democracy that residents can vote and one should not need an excuse for an absentee voting ballot.”

    — Judith Rystar, Durham · #396268 — read full submission →

• Removes real practical obstacles to in-person votingSupport9 of 65 reviewed

  Supporters point to concrete barriers many voters face on election day, including work schedules, childcare or eldercare duties, age or health issues, weather, and long lines at limited polling locations.

  • “my husband and I both work and have limited time to be at home with our kids. We would vote absentee simply for convenience if we could due to our work schedules.”

    — Sarah Runnion, Enfield · #401310 — read full submission →

  • “There is only one polling site in Londonderry, a town of approximately 27,000, meaning that lines for even local elections are extremely long.”

    — Judith Clementson, Londonderry · #397965 — read full submission →

• Reason for voting absentee is a private matterSupport2 of 65 reviewed

  Some supporters argue voters should not have to disclose or justify their personal reasons for choosing to vote absentee.

  • “Yes, I shouldn't have to air out my laundry in order to get an absentee ballot. I have my right to vote, and if i can't be there on voter day for any reason, it's no one's business but my own.”

    — Jennifer Suitter, Merrimack · #393728 — read full submission →

  • “The state shouldn't get to determine if my excuse for voting is good enough or not -- let us vote!”

    — Tim Josephson, Canaan · #395042 — read full submission →

• Current excuse categories already force dishonest workaroundsSupport1 of 65 reviewed

  One supporter points to the COVID-19 period, when voters without a listed excuse category reportedly had to falsely select 'disability' to obtain an absentee ballot, as evidence the excuse system doesn't work as intended.

  • “Do not forget how voters who requested an absentee ballot during the worst of COVID had to choose DISABILITY even though the voter was no disabled.”

    — Sue Nastasi, Dover · #399926 — read full submission →

• Fraud risk from expanded absentee voting is lowSupport1 of 65 reviewed

  One supporter argues that evidence from other states with broad vote-by-mail programs shows minimal election fraud, undercutting integrity objections to removing the excuse requirement.

  • “Remove barriers to civic engagement. With clear evidence of minimal election fraud and several states with extensive vote-by-mail programs in place, no-excuse-needed absentee ballots makes good sense.”

    — Jeanie Holt, CONCORD · #400387 — read full submission →

• Expanding absentee voting undermines election integrityOppose13 of 65 reviewed

  Opponents argue that removing the excuse requirement opens the door to fraud and abuse, eroding public trust in election outcomes.

  • “Absentee ballots have loose requirements and open the possibility of fraudulent abuse. Absentee ballots should be a limited exception when voters truly can not vote in person.”

    — Richard Brooks, Somersworth · #399267 — read full submission →

  • “This bill will create consistent fraud and abuse in the election system. This will undermine public trust and disenfranchise voters.”

    — Joseph Abasciano, Milton · #395474 — read full submission →

• Absentee ballots should stay limited to traditional categoriesOppose7 of 65 reviewed

  Opponents argue absentee ballots were meant only for narrow circumstances such as military service, disability, or being out of state, and that voting in person should remain the norm for everyone else.

  • “Absentee ballots were designed for people in the military who are out of the country and for the disabled, that's it. Everyone else should be voting in person. Voting day needs to be voting day.”

    — Deb Roux, Manchester · #388716 — read full submission →

  • “Anyone who requests an absentee ballot must show who they are and why they require an absentee ballot. Unlimited absentee voting reduces election integrity.”

    — Karen Tuthill, Amherst · #403290 — read full submission →

• A constitutional amendment is unnecessary for this changeOppose1 of 65 reviewed

  One opponent argues that eligibility rules for absentee voting can be adjusted by the legislature through ordinary statute, so amending the constitution to permanently entrench the change is unnecessary.

• Would burden town clerks and ballot controlOppose1 of 65 reviewed

  One opponent argues that broadening absentee eligibility would create significantly more administrative work for town clerks and moderators, and that maintaining tight control over ballots is critical to accurate vote counts.

  • “This CACR will create significantly more work for Town Clerks and Moderators, It will also make possible new forms of voter fraud, as control of the ballots is critical to ensuring the accuracy of the vote count.”

    — HON. ROBERT GIUDA, Warren · #384563 — read full submission →

• In-person voting is a civic duty and the current bar is already lowOppose1 of 65 reviewed

  One opponent argues voting in person is a civic obligation and that the current excuse standard is already minimal, so no further loosening is needed.

  • “You already do not need an excuse. 'I can't make it' is hardly a bar set high enough to be called an excuse. Go do your civic duty like an adult.”

    — Simon Berrio, Dalton · #386877 — read full submission →

Generated by claude-sonnet-5 (claude code agent) on Jul 22, 2026. Quotes are verbatim excerpts, verified against the cited submission before publication. Summaries are AI interpretation of the record, not part of it.