Voters will need to prove domicile

This week Gov. Chris Sununu signed SB 3, a bill that requires voters to prove their intent to stay in New Hampshire long-term. 

The bill has the biggest impact on voters who register within thirty days of an election.  Those voters must show proof they will be at their address long-term.  This proof could be a lease, driver's license, a child's enrollment at a public school, or other similar document.  

If a new voter does not have this proof on an election day he or she may still register and vote.  The voter has ten days to return to the town clerk and provide the documentation – thirty days if the town clerk’s office is only open part-time.  If the voter does not return with proof, he or she will be investigated, potentially including a home visit from election officials.

The bill specifically notes that college students from out-of-state are still allowed to vote in New Hampshire.

Bill aims to prevent “drive-by voting”

Supporters argue SB 3 is necessary to prevent campaign workers and other temporary residents from voting in elections and then leaving the state.  They call this “drive-by voting.”

“A lot of the misinformation out there, I know it sounds good as political talking points for the opposition, but at the end of the day, this is a great bill that allows everyone who voted before to keep voting, to be part of that process, but also just ensures the integrity of our system to remove a lot of the questions.”

- Gov. Chris Sununu

Or is it voter intimidation?

Bill opponents argue SB 3 is a burden on legitimate voters.

Sen. Dan Feltes suggested that the form and affidavits to register to vote are so complex, they amount to an (unconstitutional) literacy test for voters.

“Senate Bill 3 is also a violation of voters’ privacy by sending government agents to voters' homes to check their documents. Requiring people to accept this government intrusion as a condition of voting will chill the right to vote.”

- Gilles Bissonnette, Legal Director for American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire

Do you support SB 3?  Share your opinion in the comments.