HB395: relative to proof of qualifications for voter registration.

HB 395 - AS INTRODUCED

2003 SESSION

03-0371

03/09

HOUSE BILL 395

AN ACT relative to proof of qualifications for voter registration.

SPONSORS: Rep. Vaillancourt, Hills 56; Rep. Drisko, Hills 46; Rep. Reeves, Hills 49; Rep. Beaton, Hills 49; Sen. Roberge, Dist 9; Sen. Gatsas, Dist 16; Sen. Sapareto, Dist 19; Sen. Boyce, Dist 4; Sen. Flanders, Dist 7

COMMITTEE: Election Law

ANALYSIS

This bill requires that voter registration applicants present proof of qualifications to the supervisors of the checklist or the town or city clerk.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

03-0371

03/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Three

AN ACT relative to proof of qualifications for voter registration.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Registering at the Polling Place, Election Day Registration; Proof of Qualifications Required. Amend RSA 654:7-a, II to read as follows:

II. Any person whose name is not on the checklist but who is otherwise a qualified voter shall be entitled to vote by requesting to be registered to vote at the polling place on election day. The voter may then vote at that election. The applicant [may] shall be required to produce appropriate proof of qualifications as provided in RSA 654:12. The applicant shall complete an election day affidavit which shall be prescribed by the secretary of state and provided to the applicant by an election official, and which shall contain the following written oath or affirmation:

"I do hereby certify under penalty of perjury that to the best of my knowledge, I am a qualified voter, and that I am not disqualified on any ground from voting, and I have not voted and will not vote at any other polling place this election."

(Signature of Applicant)

2 Voter Registration in Cities; Proof of Identification and Residence Required. Amend RSA 654:8-a, I to read as follows:

I. Any qualified voter in a city whose name does not appear on the checklist where registration is required because the voter's voting residence has changed from one ward in the city to another ward in the same city, and who is otherwise registered to vote in the election, may change voter registration at the office of the city clerk. A change in voter registration under this section shall be made no later than the final date set for correcting the checklist in the city. The city clerk [may] shall require the voter to provide acceptable proof of identification and acceptable proof of residence.

3 Determining Qualifications of Applicants; Proof of Qualifications Required. Amend the introductory paragraph of RSA 654:12, I to read as follows:

When determining the qualifications of an applicant, the supervisors of the checklist, or the town or city clerk, [may] shall require the applicant to present proof of citizenship, age, and domicile, as provided in the following categories:

4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.