requiring the secretary of state to accept voter registration forms directly from voters and to create an online portal for direct voter registration.

HB 1678 allows New Hampshire voters to submit registration forms directly to the Secretary of State starting January 1, 2026, instead of through local town clerks. It also requires the Secretary of State to create a secure online portal by January 1, 2028, where voters can electronically submit forms with identity, citizenship, and residence documentation. The portal must confirm receipt, securely transmit applications to local officials for verification, and include features like document uploads. This bill affects all qualified voters seeking to register, streamlining the process by removing the local clerk as an initial point of contact. The policy changes focus solely on submission methods, not eligibility requirements.