Text to be removed highlighted in red.
1 New Section; Random Citizenship Audits. Amend RSA 654 by inserting after section 45 the following new section:
654:45-a Random Citizenship Audits.
I. In addition to reviewing records contained in state databases, the secretary of state may conduct audits of the citizenship qualifications of registered voters who submitted a qualified voter affidavit as proof of citizenship.
II. The secretary of state shall ensure a random, statistically sound audit of such voters and publish a public report of the findings of that audit.
III. Where the citizenship of a voter is confirmed through either the use of available state sources or an investigation supporting the audit, such confirmation shall be noted in the statewide voter registration database, and that voter shall not be subject to further audit of his or her citizenship.
IV. If the audits reveal information of any potential non-citizens on the checklist, such information shall be submitted to the attorney general for further review and appropriate action.
V. To carry out paragraph I of this section, the secretary of state may use data regarding individual voters with persons or entities that are not agencies of the state only if the secretary and the person or entity enter into a legally binding agreement that:
(a) Permits retention of the data only as long as necessary to carry out the purpose of the sharing or for one year, whichever is shorter;
(b) Prohibits further sharing or disclosure of the data without written authorization by the secretary;
(c) Requires minimum reasonable security measures to protect the data from unauthorized access; and
(d) Provides the state with ownership of, and direct control over, the data unless otherwise required by state or federal law.
VI. The secretary of state shall permanently destroy all data gathered under this section that relates to an identifiable individual whose citizenship is confirmed by an audit upon such confirmation and whose citizenship is not so confirmed when the matter is finally resolved.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
1 New Section; Random Citizenship Audits. Amend RSA 654 by inserting after section 45 the following new section:
654:45-a Random Citizenship Audits.
I. In addition to reviewing records contained in state databases, the secretary of state may conduct audits of the citizenship qualifications of registered voters who submitted a qualified voter affidavit as proof of citizenship.
II. The secretary of state shall ensure a random, statistically sound audit of such voters and publish a public report of the findings of that audit.
III. Where the citizenship of a voter is confirmed through either the use of available state sources or an investigation supporting the audit, such confirmation shall be noted in the statewide voter registration database, and that voter shall not be subject to further audit of his or her citizenship.
IV. If the audits reveal information of any potential non-citizens on the checklist, such information shall be submitted to the attorney general for further review and appropriate action.
V. To carry out paragraph I of this section, the secretary of state may use data regarding individual voters with persons or entities that are not agencies of the state only if the secretary and the person or entity enter into a legally binding agreement that:
(a) Permits retention of the data only as long as necessary to carry out the purpose of the sharing or for one year, whichever is shorter;
(b) Prohibits further sharing or disclosure of the data without written authorization by the secretary;
(c) Requires minimum reasonable security measures to protect the data from unauthorized access; and
(d) Provides the state with ownership of, and direct control over, the data unless otherwise required by state or federal law.
VI. The secretary of state shall permanently destroy all data gathered under this section that relates to an identifiable individual whose citizenship is confirmed by an audit upon such confirmation and whose citizenship is not so confirmed when the matter is finally resolved.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.