CHAPTER 131

SB 206-FN – FINAL VERSION

03/06/14 0694s

30Apr2014… 1443h

2014 SESSION

14-2608

03/10

SENATE BILL 206-FN

AN ACT relative to proof of identity by voters.

SPONSORS: Sen. Pierce, Dist 5; Sen. Boutin, Dist 16; Sen. Lasky, Dist 13; Rep. G. Richardson, Merr 10; Rep. Hoelzel, Rock 3; Rep. J. Belanger, Hills 27

COMMITTEE: Public and Municipal Affairs

ANALYSIS

This bill establishes requirements for challenging alternative forms of identification of voters.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

03/06/14 0694s

30Apr2014… 1443h

14-2608

03/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fourteen

AN ACT relative to proof of identity by voters.

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

131:1 Obtaining a Ballot; Challenges. Amend RSA 659:13, II(b) to read as follows:

(b) In addition to the forms of photo identification authorized in subparagraph (a), the following shall satisfy the identification requirements of paragraph I:

(1) A photo identification not authorized by subparagraph (a) but determined to be legitimate by the supervisors of the checklist, the moderator, or the clerk of a town, ward, or city [clerk], provided that if any person authorized to challenge a voter under RSA 659:27 objects to the use of such photo identification, identifies the reason for the objection in writing, and states the specific source of the information or personal knowledge upon which the challenge of the photo identification is based, the voter shall be required to execute a challenged voter affidavit as if no identification was presented.

(2) Verification of the person’s identity by a moderator or supervisor of the checklist or the clerk of a town, ward, or city [clerk], provided that if any person authorized to challenge a voter under RSA 659:27 objects to such verification, identifies the reason for the objection in writing, and states the specific source of the information or personal knowledge upon which the challenge of the verification of identity is based, the voter shall be required to execute a challenged voter affidavit as if no verification was made.

131:2 New Subparagraph; 2015 Version; Obtaining a Ballot; Identification. Amend RSA 659:13, II(a) by inserting after subparagraph (6) the following new subparagraph:

(7) A photo identification not authorized by subparagraphs (1) through (6) but determined to be legitimate by the supervisors of the checklist, the moderator, or the clerk of a town, ward, or city [clerk], provided that if any person authorized to challenge a voter under RSA 659:27 objects to the use of such photo identification, identifies the reason for the objection in writing, and states the specific source of the information or personal knowledge upon which the challenge of the photo identification is based, the voter shall be required to execute a challenged voter affidavit as if no identification was presented.

131:3 Obtaining a Ballot; Challenges; 2015 Version. Amend RSA 659:13, II(b) to read as follows:

(b) In addition to the forms of photo identification authorized in subparagraph (a), the identification requirements of paragraph I may be satisfied by verification of the person’s identity by a moderator or supervisor of the checklist or the clerk of a town, ward, or city [clerk], provided that if any person authorized to challenge a voter under RSA 659:27 objects to such verification, identifies the reason for the objection in writing, and states the specific source of the information or personal knowledge upon which the challenge of the photo identification is based, the voter shall be required to execute a challenged voter affidavit as if no verification was made.

131:4 Effective Date.

I. Sections 2-3 of this act shall take effect September 1, 2015, at 12:03 a.m.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Approved: June 16, 2014

Effective Date: I. Sections 2-3 shall take effect September 1, 2015 at 12:03 a.m.

II. Remainder shall take effect August 15, 2014.