New Hampshire Commission Reviews Ballot Machine Concerns
The Ballot Law Commission heard testimony regarding allegations of radio frequency emissions from ballot counting devices.
Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in Legislative Policy
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The New Hampshire Ballot Law Commission held a hearing at the State House to address claims regarding radio frequency emissions from voting machines. A citizen testified that a device in Nashua's Ward 9 emitted signals during the September primary election.
Why it matters
The hearing was initiated after a citizen group alleged that ballot counting machines posed a potential security risk. Officials sought to address these claims and verify the integrity of the equipment used across the state.
Voting machine manufacturers testified that independent laboratories confirmed their devices lack internal modems. These machines were selected for state use following a multi-year procurement process.
The players
Ballot Law Commission
This body is responsible for overseeing election administration and resolving disputes related to ballot laws and procedures in New Hampshire.
VotingWorks
This is a non-profit organization that manufactures and provides voting technology and election equipment to jurisdictions across the United States.
LHS Associates
This company provides election systems and technical support services to municipalities throughout the New England region.
The details
Representatives from VotingWorks and LHS Associates testified under oath that their equipment is not capable of connecting to the internet. A cybersecurity expert informed the commission that any detected radio frequency likely originated from an external source rather than the machines themselves.
Timeline
September 2026: The primary election was held where the initial incident was reported.
October 19, 2026: The Ballot Law Commission held its hearing at the State House.
Political Context
The New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights has criticized the hearing as a distraction from the core operations of election administration. Opponents of the inquiry argue that established testing protocols and independent lab certifications provide sufficient assurance of machine security.
Residents can rely on the certified integrity of voting equipment as confirmed by independent laboratory testing during the state's selection process. The legislative hearing reinforces the established security measures that govern how votes are counted in local elections.
The takeaway
Maintaining election integrity involves balancing public concerns with the technical evidence provided by manufacturers and cybersecurity experts. Voters can continue to engage with the democratic process by verifying information through official state channels and legislative reporting.
Further reading
For more background on state oversight, visit the Legislative Policy section.
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Do you trust that the ballot counting machines used in your area are secure and accurate?
