New Hampshire governor signs voter proof-of-citizenship to take effect after November elections

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: AP

Updated 4:02 PM EDT, September 12, 2024


CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire’s governor signed a bill Thursday that would require proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote and photo identification when casting a ballot.

Under current law, those who don’t bring photo IDs to the polls can sign an affidavit attesting to their identity and are required to provide documentation within seven days. The new law, which won’t take effect until after the November elections, eliminates voter identification exceptions and would require those registering to vote to show a passport, birth certificate or other evidence of U.S. citizenship.

“We have a proud tradition and proven track record of condition elections that are trusted and true,” said Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican who is not seeking a fifth term. “Looking forward to the next decade or two, this legislation will instill even more integrity and trust in the voting process.”

Critics argue the changes would make New Hampshire’s voter registration system one of the most restrictive in the country. They note that many people don’t have immediate or free access to their birth certificates and say the changes could undermine trust in elections even though it won’t take effect mid-November.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/new-hampshire-voter-registration-citizenship-4009cda6ce88bccc0c8bd447ffd27974

[BaronChocula]

1. NH guv Sununu is one of these types

Donald trump is the worst thing that's ever happened to the republican party and should never be anywhere near the Oval Office, but I'm supporting him over Kamala Harris.

Total worthless human being void of character.

[musclecar6]

4. The

Clowns that make statements like that and then vote for him anyway, accomplish two things. No respect and weak. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger put their money where their mouth is. We may not agree with them on policy, but they are both strong people and have all our respect. Another way of saying, they have honor. That blowhard from New Hampshire, has none.

[pat_k]

2. I wouldn't be able to vote there.

Born in Evanston, IL in 1960. I haven't used the name I was born with since age 5.

When my mom remarried, we just started using his last name. But he never formally adopted us. I got my social security card in that name, later driver licenses. So, no ID matches my birth certificate.

I am sure I am very far from alone.

So, I need to do a legal name change. Not a big deal you might think, but in some states, it's a long process. For example, around 2000 in NJ there were three stages. At each stage you have to run a little legal notice for a certain number of days. Basically, before you apply, you run a legal notice in the paper that you plan to apply. You submit proof of having run that notice with your petition. Then you run a notice that says you've filed a petition to change name from X to Y. Then you bring proof of that notice to the hearing. Then your name change is granted, but you aren't actually done. You don't get a final order until you run yet another notice that your name change from X to Y was granted.

In addition to filing fees, it is not cheap to run all the little notices. And if you fail to do it all correctly, you have to start over from the start.

I know what a pain in the neck it because I when I went through the process I didn't understand that the order granting my petition was not final until I ran another notice in the paper. When I discovered this, it was too late to correct, so I would have to start the whole process over. I didn't get around to it and moved out of the state a few years later. Now I have to figure out what the process is here in WA. I suspect it is easier.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. My father also couldn't have voted.

In 1923, while he was born in a hospital, they allowed his birth certificate to be issued as "Baby Boy" for his first name. While the birth date could be cross-referenced, his later-given name could not be used.

[LauraInLA]

9. I wonder if that also applies to women in NJ who change their names upon marriage. Bleh.

[pat_k]

10. As long as you have marriage certificate or docs to tie documents together, you're OK.

But not everybody keeps good track of all this and getting copies is also time-consuming, particularly after a law like this passes.

I remember long processing delays when the various states tightened ID requirements for driver license renewals after 911. That was the whole reason I started the name change process. The process was extremely drawn out because they were getting so many petitions. And I imagine hospitals and other agencies were also flooded with requests for copies.

One bit worth mentioning is that, like me, the NJ MVC took the order granting the name change as proper documentation connecting the name on my license to the name on my birth certificate. It wasn't 'til I sent it off to Illinois to get the name changed on my birth certificate that I was informed it was not a final order. So, then I had a driver's license that was, in a sense, a fraud because the documentation used to get it wasn't what I thought it was. Nevermind that it was in the name I'd used since childhood.

The other interesting thing was filling out the petition paper work. They ask for the name on your Social Security as the "changing from" name. Since my SS card was in the name I was changing to my initial paperwork was basically a request to change from "current name" to "current name." It took several clerks and lots of explaining to get the forms filled out to their satisfaction, and even then it took a lot of explaining at the hearing. What is so absurd is that all those legal notices you have to publish are intended to inform creditors so that any debt you might have accumulated in the original name would be transferred. Of course, since I was changing to a name I had always used, to a creditor it looked like I was changing from an obscure name with no debt to one that had a couple mortgages because I was "changing" to a name I had always used.

You'd think that conservatives -- particularly Vance with all his name changes, which probably weren't done very formally -- would have a clue that this law would be a serious probable for countless Americans. I'm guessing immigrants generally do a better job of keeping track of the required documentation.

[Blue for the win]

5. ROFL

I never really saw New Hampshire is ignorant but I will now

[BumRushDaShow]

6. It was when his father was governor

I have cousins who grew up there and as soon as they went away for college, they left for good.

[sarge43]

8. Yeah. Some people call this state North Alabama.

After this stunt could be coming true.

Voteblue right down to the town drunk.

[jvill]

7. Easy solution: fed government funded ID program. Most other first world countries have it.

Done and done.

What’s next?

[Marigold]

11. I am unfortunately stuck in NH

5 years ago my husband and I moved from VT to NH to be closer to our granddaughter. What a world of difference. We are in a relatively liberal town, but surrounded by towns that would put deep red Alabama to shame. Especially the one next to us with the Ruger factory and the weekly sidewalk flag waves to support Trump. Registering to vote here was hard enough. We had to show a NH driver's license, a copy of a utility bill, and a lease or deed. Yeah, I am sure there are many illegals voting (sarcasm). It is further complicated with areas that do not have street addresses and only use PO boxes, like ours. I can't imagine getting my birth certificate from PA with my maiden name on top of this. If I remember correctly, I was registered in VT at the county fair.

I can't wait until Sununu goes away for good, and hope Kelly Ayotte is defeated as his hand picked successor. I am sorry, but I put all Republicans in the same boat. The ones here like the Stepford wives are the same as the raving MAGATS in the adjoining town. They are all rotten to the core. My husband hates it here, and we spend a lot of time in Canada. It is 2 hours away.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

12. I wonder how many people will see the headline and think it applies to this election and not show up to the polls?

I wonder if that’s the reason they did this now? Lots of people don’t have birth certificates laying around and they don’t have passports.

This is meant to shave this election. I would bet on it.