NH House Moves to Intervene, Reconsider in Court Case Relative to Voter Registration Forms

Ensure that Legislative Intent is Included

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien today announced that the House of Representative has moved to intervene in the Hannah Rivers v. State of New Hampshire case relative to the implementation of a law passed this year, Senate Bill 318.  The motion also requests reconsideration of the Strafford Superior Court judge’s earlier ruling to offer an injunction against a portion of the law.

House Speaker William O’Brien

“Today, the House is moving to intervene in this case and ask for reconsideration in order to ensure that the legislative intent of Senate Bill 318 is presented to the court.  Unfortunately, in its legal arguments before the Superior Court, the Department of Justice failed to state the very reason why the Legislature passed this bill.  Without that reason being stated, the Supreme Court would not have a true opportunity to consider why this law is in effect if this went straight to appeal.  Consequently, it is vital we ask for reconsideration to ensure that the constitutionality of the law becomes part of the record.  It’s unfortunate that the Attorney General’s office hasn’t made the strongest case for this law, but the House is committed to giving this duly-passed law the defense it deserves.  The people of New Hampshire clearly understand that if someone lives in another state, they should vote there, and if they live here, they should vote in New Hampshire.  They also know that if you live here and are voting here, you must become a resident.  I have met with the Secretary of State and he fully supports this effort, and realizes that this is a necessary step in preserving this important law.”

Motion To Reconsider

Motion to Intervene

NH House Leaders Comment on Governor’s Veto of Voter Forms Law

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) and House Majority Leader Pete Silva (R-Nashua) today offered the following comments in response to news that Governor Lynch vetoed Senate Bill 318, modifying voter registration to pre-2007 forms, which makes clear to voters that only domiciled New Hampshire citizens can vote in our elections.

House Speaker William O’Brien

“No explanation beyond a desire for non-New Hampshire voters to participate in New Hampshire elections can adequately explain why the Governor chose to veto this reasonable bill that merely makes clear that in order to vote in New Hampshire one must be a resident of New Hampshire. I call upon the candidates for Governor—Republicans and Democrats alike—to show they stand for integrity in our elections by expressing their support of these voter reform laws.”

House Majority Leader Pete Silva

“There is no reason we shouldn’t be informing voters that they can only be domiciled in one place and can only vote in one city, town or state in a given election. Providing more information and transparency in our voting process can only help to deter those who really should not be voting in a particular town from doing so and minimize the occurrences of voter fraud here.”

NH House Leaders Comment on Passage of Voter Reform Bills

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) and House Majority Leader Pete Silva (R-Nashua) released the following statement on the passage of committee of conference reports on two voter reform bills, Senate Bill 289 and Senate Bill 318. SB 289 will require photo identification to vote. The conferees settled on an agreement that will essentially enact both plans sequentially – starting with the Senate’s plan during the first 15 months and then transitioning fully to the House plan on September 1, 2013.  The Senate version called for allowing for eight forms of identification and allowing voters to fill out an affidavit if they have no ID.  After the initial introductory period the law will evolve to the House amended version of SB 289, which brings the number of valid IDs down to four and requires a photograph be taken with an affidavit if a voter does not have identification at the polls. SB 289 passed 255 to 103.

Senate Bill 318 reverts voter registration to pre-2007 forms, which clears up state law to make it clear that only domiciled New Hampshire citizens can vote in our elections. SB 318 passed 260 to 101.

House Speaker William O’Brien

“We must ensure that our elections are as pure as possible, and free of corruption. For years, clean election advocates have been warning the Attorney General and the Legislature about both the opportunity for fraud and evidence of electoral fraud. We saw evidence of this problem firsthand in the New Hampshire primary this year. Government integrity begins at the ballot box.  New Hampshire citizens deserve the right to have their vote counted rightfully, and not diluted.  This compromise is a testimony to both the House and Senate’s willingness to have clean, honest elections.”

House Majority Leader Pete Silva

“Republicans have been working hard over the two year session to pass a voter ID bill to improve New Hampshire’s lax voter registration and balloting laws. As the resident of a border community, I know full well the opportunities for voter fraud, and having stood at the polls all day, seeing cars with Massachusetts plates come through the parking lot, I know that that these common senses laws are needed. These actions will help improve the validity and equality of our election system while we join the 30 other states who have voter ID laws.”