Text to be removed highlighted in red.
1 New Section; Voter Registration; Driver's License Application. Amend RSA 654 by inserting after section 8-a the following new section:
654:8-b Driver's License Application.
I. Each state motor vehicle driver's license application, including a renewal application, submitted to the department of safety, division of motor vehicles, serves as an application for voter registration unless the applicant fails to sign the voter registration application. Failure to sign the voter registration portion of the driver's license application serves as a declination to register.
II. An application for voter registration submitted under paragraph I shall be considered to update any previous voter registration by the applicant.
III. No information relating to the failure of an applicant for a state motor vehicle driver's license to sign a voter registration application may be used for any purpose other than voter registration.
IV. The department of safety, division of motor vehicles, shall include a voter registration form as part of an application for a state motor vehicle driver's license.
V. The voter registration application portion of an application for a state motor vehicle driver's license:
(a) Shall not require any information that duplicates information required in the driver's license portion of the form, other than a second signature or other information necessary under subparagraph (c);
(b) Shall require only the minimum amount of information necessary to:
(1) Prevent duplicate voter registrations; and
(2) Enable a board of supervisors of the checklist to assess the eligibility of the applicant and to administer voter registration and other parts of the election process;
(c) Shall include a statement that:
(1) States each eligibility requirement, including citizenship;
(2) Contains an attestation that the applicant meets each requirement; and
(3) Requires the signature of the applicant under penalty of perjury;
(d) Shall include in print identical to that used in the attestation portion of the application:
(1) The information required in subparagraph (c);
(2) A statement that, if an applicant declines to register to vote, the fact that the applicant has declined to register will remain confidential and will be used only for voter registration purposes; and
(3) A statement that, if an applicant does register to vote, the office at which the applicant submits a voter registration application will remain confidential and will be used only for voter registration purposes; and
(e) Shall be made available, as submitted by the applicant, to the appropriate supervisors of the checklist.
VI. A change of address form submitted in accordance with state law for purposes of a state motor vehicle driver's license serves as notification of change of address for voter registration unless the qualified elector states on the form that the change of address is not for voter registration purposes.
VII. A completed voter registration portion of an application for a state motor vehicle driver's license accepted at a state motor vehicle authority must be transmitted to the appropriate supervisors of the checklist no later than 10 days after the date of acceptance.
2 Application to Supervisors. Amend RSA 654:11 to read as follows:
654:11 Application to Supervisors. When the supervisors of the checklist receive a registration form from the town or city clerk or the department of safety, division of motor vehicles, or when an applicant submits the form to said supervisors in person at a session for the correction of the checklist, the supervisors of the checklist shall cause his or her name to be added to the checklist, unless it is established that it is more likely than not that the applicant is not qualified to vote in the city or town under RSA 654:1 through 654:6. All decisions of the supervisors of the checklist shall be made by majority vote thereof.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
1 New Section; Voter Registration; Driver's License Application. Amend RSA 654 by inserting after section 8-a the following new section:
654:8-b Driver's License Application.
I. Each state motor vehicle driver's license application, including a renewal application, submitted to the department of safety, division of motor vehicles, serves as an application for voter registration unless the applicant fails to sign the voter registration application. Failure to sign the voter registration portion of the driver's license application serves as a declination to register.
II. An application for voter registration submitted under paragraph I shall be considered to update any previous voter registration by the applicant.
III. No information relating to the failure of an applicant for a state motor vehicle driver's license to sign a voter registration application may be used for any purpose other than voter registration.
IV. The department of safety, division of motor vehicles, shall include a voter registration form as part of an application for a state motor vehicle driver's license.
V. The voter registration application portion of an application for a state motor vehicle driver's license:
(a) Shall not require any information that duplicates information required in the driver's license portion of the form, other than a second signature or other information necessary under subparagraph (c);
(b) Shall require only the minimum amount of information necessary to:
(1) Prevent duplicate voter registrations; and
(2) Enable a board of supervisors of the checklist to assess the eligibility of the applicant and to administer voter registration and other parts of the election process;
(c) Shall include a statement that:
(1) States each eligibility requirement, including citizenship;
(2) Contains an attestation that the applicant meets each requirement; and
(3) Requires the signature of the applicant under penalty of perjury;
(d) Shall include in print identical to that used in the attestation portion of the application:
(1) The information required in subparagraph (c);
(2) A statement that, if an applicant declines to register to vote, the fact that the applicant has declined to register will remain confidential and will be used only for voter registration purposes; and
(3) A statement that, if an applicant does register to vote, the office at which the applicant submits a voter registration application will remain confidential and will be used only for voter registration purposes; and
(e) Shall be made available, as submitted by the applicant, to the appropriate supervisors of the checklist.
VI. A change of address form submitted in accordance with state law for purposes of a state motor vehicle driver's license serves as notification of change of address for voter registration unless the qualified elector states on the form that the change of address is not for voter registration purposes.
VII. A completed voter registration portion of an application for a state motor vehicle driver's license accepted at a state motor vehicle authority must be transmitted to the appropriate supervisors of the checklist no later than 10 days after the date of acceptance.
2 Application to Supervisors. Amend RSA 654:11 to read as follows:
654:11 Application to Supervisors. When the supervisors of the checklist receive a registration form from the town or city clerk or the department of safety, division of motor vehicles, or when an applicant submits the form to said supervisors in person at a session for the correction of the checklist, the supervisors of the checklist shall cause his or her name to be added to the checklist, unless it is established that it is more likely than not that the applicant is not qualified to vote in the city or town under RSA 654:1 through 654:6. All decisions of the supervisors of the checklist shall be made by majority vote thereof.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.