Senator Carson Applauds Decision That Voter ID Law is Constitutional

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Sen. Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry, issued the following statement following the decision issued by the U. S. Department of Justice finding the state’s new Voter ID law to be constitutional:

“Our right to vote is fundamental, but it also needs to be protected. That’s why we worked so hard to carefully craft our Voter ID law (SB 289) in a way that ensures the integrity of our election process. I am thankful the U.S. Department of Justice found our Voter ID law to be constitutional after giving it a full review. When New Hampshire citizens head to the polls next week and then again in November, they can cast a ballot feeling confident that our voting process has been strengthened and that their vote truly counts.”

The Voter ID Law, as it’s been properly called, will require that during any election prior to September 1, 2013, voters will be asked to provide a form of photo ID. Between November 1, 2012 and September 1, 2013, voters without proper ID will be permitted to vote after executing a “challenged voter affidavit.”

Voters who fill out the affidavit will receive a letter of verification from the Secretary of State requesting confirmation of voting in the election. If the voter does not respond in writing within 30 days of the date it was mailed, the Attorney General will conduct an investigation to determine if fraudulent voting occurred.

Proper identification that will be accepted prior to September 1, 2013, includes the following:

  • Driver’s license issued by any state (even if expired);
  • ID card issued by NH DMV (Division of Motor Vehicles);
  • U.S. Armed Services ID card;
  • U.S. Passport (even if expired);
  • Valid photo ID card issued by either the federal government or a state, county or municipal government;
  • Valid student ID card
  • Other photo ID deemed legitimate by the supervisors of the checklist, the moderator, or the clerk; or
  • Verification of identity by a supervisor of the checklist, the moderator or the clerk.

Read the original story in the Londonderry Hometown Online News for the full ruling and quite a bit of conversation in the comments.