Bill Text - HB119 (2013)

Relative to voter registration.


Revision: Jan. 15, 2013, midnight

HB 119 – AS INTRODUCED

2013 SESSION

13-0127

03/04

HOUSE BILL 119

AN ACT relative to voter registration.

SPONSORS: Rep. Horrigan, Straf 6; Rep. Moody, Rock 17; Rep. K. Ward, Straf 21

COMMITTEE: Election Law

ANALYSIS

This bill modifies the voter registration form. This bill also states that a person’s claim of domicile in this state for voting purposes shall not be conclusive of the person’s residence for any other legal purpose.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

13-0127

03/04

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Thirteen

AN ACT relative to voter registration.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Eligibility; Voter; Domicile. Amend RSA 654:1, I to read as follows:

I. Every inhabitant of the state, having a single established domicile for voting purposes, being a citizen of the United States, of the age provided for in Article 11 of Part First of the Constitution of New Hampshire, shall have a right at any meeting or election, to vote in the town, ward, or unincorporated place in which he or she is domiciled. An inhabitant's domicile for voting purposes is that one place where a person, more than any other place, has established a physical presence and manifests an intent to maintain a single continuous presence for domestic, social, and civil purposes relevant to participating in democratic self-government. A person has the right to change domicile at any time, however a mere intention to change domicile in the future does not, of itself, terminate an established domicile before the person actually moves. A person’s claim of domicile for voting purposes shall not be conclusive of the person’s residence for any other legal purpose.

2 Voter Registration. Amend RSA 654:7 to read as follows:

654:7 [Voter Registration;] Voter Registration Form.

[I. Any person registering to vote shall be:

(a) At least 18 years of age on the day of the election; and

(b) A United States citizen; and

(c) Domiciled in the town or city in which the applicant is registering to vote and not otherwise disqualified to vote.

II. The applicant shall be required to produce appropriate proof of qualifications as provided in RSA 654:12 and fill out the form as prescribed in paragraph IV.

III. If an applicant is unable to provide the proof of qualifications as required in RSA 654:12, he or she may register by completing the necessary affidavits, pursuant to RSA 654:12, and completing the form in paragraph IV.

IV.] A standard registration application form shall be used throughout the state. The registration form shall be no larger than 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches. The secretary of state shall prescribe the form of the voter registration form, which shall be in substantially the following form:

Date _________________

VOTER REGISTRATION FORM

(Please print or type)

1. Name ____________________________________________________________________

Last (suffix) First Full Middle Name

2. [Domicile ] Address __________________________________________________________

Street Ward Number

_____________________________________________________________________________

Town or City Zip Code

3. Mailing Address if different than in 2 ________________________________________

Street Ward Number

______________________________________________________________________________

Town or City Zip Code

4. Place and Date of Birth ______________________________________________________

Town or City State

Date____________________

5. If a naturalized citizen, give name of court where and date when naturalized _______________________________________________________________________________

6. Place last registered to vote __________________________________________________

Town or City

______________________________________________________________________________________

Street Ward Number

7. Name under which previously registered, if different from above

_______________________________________________________________________________

8. Party Affiliation (if any) ______________________________________________________

9. Driver’s License Number __________________________State ______________________

If you do not have a valid driver’s license, provide the last four digits of your social security number ___ ___ ____

My name is ____________________. I am today registering to vote in the city/town of ____________________, New Hampshire.

I understand that to vote in this city/town, I must be at least 18 years of age, I must be a United States citizen, and I must be domiciled in this city/town.

I understand that I can claim only one city/town as my domicile at a time. A domicile is that place, more than any other, where I sleep most nights of the year, or to which I intend to return after a temporary absence. By registering or voting today, I acknowledge that I am not registering to vote or voting in any other city/town.

[I understand that a person can claim only one state and one city/town as his or her domicile at a time. A domicile is that place, to which upon temporary absence, a person has the intention of returning. By registering or voting today, I am acknowledging that I am not domiciled or voting in any other state or any other city/town.

In declaring New Hampshire as my domicile, I am subject to the laws of the state of New Hampshire which apply to all residents, including laws requiring a driver to register a motor vehicle and apply for a New Hampshire’s driver’s license within 60 days of becoming a resident.

In declaring New Hampshire as my domicile, I realize that I am not qualified to vote in the state or federal elections in another state.

If I have any questions as to whether I am entitled to vote in this city/town, I am aware that a supervisor of the checklist is available to address my questions or concerns.]

I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above qualifications for voting and do hereby swear, under the penalties for voting fraud set forth below, that I am qualified to vote in the above-stated city/town, and, if registering on election day, that I have not voted and will not vote at any other polling place this election.

____________________ ___________________________________________________

Date Signature

In accordance with RSA 659:34, the penalty for knowingly or purposefully providing false information when registering to vote or voting is a class A misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of imprisonment not to exceed one year and a fine not to exceed $2,000. Fraudulently registering to vote or voting is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.