HB 217: Absentee ballot voters to submit information

HB217

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HB 217: Absentee ballot voters to submit information

Dear [Your Elected Official],

As a concerned NH voter, I respectfully urge you to oppose HB217.
The Election Law committee voted 4-1 to ITL this bill. Please follow the recommendation to ITL this bill. 
This bill requires absentee ballot voters to submit information demonstrating citizenship, age, domicile, and identity in order to qualify to vote. This places unnecessary restrictions on the rights of those who already struggle the most in casting their vote and will work to decrease voter turnout. 
Additionally, the requirement to include photocopies of their official documents could be an insurmountable hurdle for many voters who may not have access to a copy machine or have the funds to purchase one of their own. Voters attest to their eligibility when they register via a sworn affidavit, punishable by penalty of perjury. Adding additional requirements to scan, print, and send documents will disenfranchise eligible voters – especially those with disabilities who are registering absentee because they are unable to do so in person.
Please side with voters in recommending HB217 as inexpedient to legislate.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your City & State]

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Summary

HB217 proposes changes to the absentee voter registration process that would require individuals to submit documentation verifying their citizenship, age, domicile, and identity. This documentation must accompany the absentee registration affidavit and voter registration form submitted to local clerks. Additionally, the bill modifies procedures for in-person absentee ballot submission, mandating that voters present valid photo identification to be considered verified; otherwise, their signatures will be subject to comparison and potentially lead to the rejection of ballots without giving voters any chance to cure - a practice that was found to be unconstitutional in the 2018 US district court case Saucedo v Gardner. The bill aims to align the absentee voting process with in-person citizenship registration requirements enacted under the state's newly established voter suppression law, resulting from the passage of HB1569 last session. Both HB217 and HB1569 emulate the SAVE Act, which just passed the US House and would enact similar legislation on the federal level. 140 million Americans lack passports, while 69 million married women don’t have updated documents to reflect name changes. That’s not to mention the burden HB 217 would impose on young and elderly people who don’t have access to these documents, as well as low-income individuals who can’t afford the hefty administrative costs of obtaining new ones.

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