If one has been paying attention, one will be aware of the many voter suppression bills that have been passed this past Session. There are four in particular that are in danger of being signed into law by Gov. Ayotte. We need to send a loud and clear message that voting has been made hard enough in our state. These proposed restrictive barriers will allow for an increase in the number of eligible voters being turned away. How undemocratic!
Your mission (should you choose to accept it, please do) is to contact the governor by email and urge her to VETO the following bills: SB 213: requires voters who are registering by absentee ballot to provide proof of identity, domicile, age, and citizenship with their application, as well as having it notarized. Requires all absentee voters to provide proof of identity when requesting an absentee ballot; adds a line to the request form for a voter to include their state issued ID number, however does not include any guidance on if this is sufficient to prove identity or how voters can meet this requirement if they do not have a state issued ID. In other words, you’re on your own.
SB 218: requires voters who are registering by absentee ballot (because they signify they are unable to register in person) also provide proof of their identity, age, domicile, and citizenship.
SB 287: requires voters who are requesting absentee ballots show proof of identity:
- A copy of the voters’ ID with the absentee application
- A notarized signature on the absentee ballot application
- Presenting an ID in person to the town or city clerk or their designee before being provided an absentee ballot (another barrier for those who are disabled, elderly and need to find a ride or those who just don’t drive.)
- HB 613: towns would post a notice 90–180 days before an election if accessible machines won’t be available; voters with disabilities would need to submit written notice at least 60 days in advance just to access a machine that lets them vote privately and independently.
This unfairly shifts the burden from the state to the individual, creating obstacles no other group of voters face. If this bill becomes law, voters with disabilities risk losing their fundamental right to vote unless they anticipate their voting needs months in advance. There is also no certainty that they wouldn't be asked to repeat this process for every future election, as the bill does not address this.
These bills unnecessarily impact voters with disabilities, low-income voters, elderly voters, those without internet/printer access, or those voting from overseas.
Requiring a notary places a proven burden on voters, which can lead to lower turnout. Notaries can be difficult to access—some banks don’t have them readily available, and those that do usually offer services only to customers during limited business hours.
The majority party have defended these burdensome notarization requirements in SB 213 and SB 287 by pointing to the availability of online notaries—but just how accessible is this option, especially for voters without reliable internet access or the knowledge to navigate these services?
SB 213 had online opposition of 382 with only 5 supporting this bill.
SB 287 had on line opposition of 330 with only 10 supporting this bill.
HB 613 had on line opposition of 188 with 23 supporting this bill.
The majority party continues to ignore the wishes or concerns of the voters proving yet, again, they're not in it for the people of NH.
Takes only a moment to send an email to the governor.
And be sure to attend a Good Trouble event near you this week!