by Ed Naile
Last week, the House and Senate conferees adopted an agreement that impacts current Voter ID law. The report proposes to again include student IDs as a form of acceptable identification.
Current legislation allows for voter identification using a drivers license, a non-drivers license, military identification, and a United States passport. These are the same identification that New Hampshire Liquor Enforcement mandates entities that sell or serve alcoholic beverages use to verify age. In addition, voters can obtain a free voter card for any New Hampshire resident that does not have any of the four types of IDs above. Voters can also execute an affidavit that would allow them to vote after stating their identity.
The Conference Committee proposal institutes any student ID from some 280 educational institutions in New Hampshire as a valid identification. It also postpones the requirement for photographing individuals with no form of ID who present themselves to vote. Both of these changes weaken the integrity of our voting system.
The Senate and House will meet on Wednesday to consider the Conference Committee report on Voter ID.
Contact your Senator and Representatives to urge them to vote NOT to approve the report: NH House Contacts
Senate Contacts: NH Senate Contacts