New N.H. ID law gives voters confidence that their vote will count

To the editor,

In February 2012 a WMUR Granite State Poll performed by the UNH Survey Center revealed 68-percent of New Hampshire adults said they support a voter ID law (53-percent strongly support and 15-percent somewhat support), 24-percent oppose this law (18-percent strongly oppose and 6-percent somewhat oppose, and 7-percent are neutral or don't know enough to say. Support for the law is bipartisan, with majorities of Republicans (87-percent), Independents (69-percent) and Democrats (52-percent) supporting the law.

In March of 2012, I wrote a news column about legislation that would require photo identification when voting. The legislation did become law and will phase-in a photo identification requirement over a period of time.

Consistent with an ongoing effort to communicate with you on issues in Concord and in the District, I'm hosting three public information sessions with the New Hampshire Deputy Secretary of State Dave Scanlan and Town Clerks. The Deputy Secretary of State will explain the new rules for casting ballots in the September and November elections. The sessions are open to the public and I hope you will be ableto attend. The sessions will be held:

— Tuesday, September 4th from 6 – 7 p.m. at the Haverhill Town Hall

— Wednesday, September 5th from 6 – 7 p.m. at the Pease Public Library in Plymouth

— Thursday, September 6th from 6 – 7 p.m. at the Meredith Community Center

For those of you who are not able to attend, I've outlined the process below:

For the September 11th primary election, voters will be asked to provide one of the following:

— Driver's license issued by any state (even if expired) or,

— ID card issued by NH DMV (Division of Motor Vehicles) or,

— U.S. Armed Services ID card or,

— U.S. Passport (even if expired) or,

— Valid photo ID card issue by either the federal government or a state, county, or municipal government or,

— Valid student ID card or,

— Other photo ID deemed legitimate by the supervisors of the checklist, the moderator, or the town clerk, or verification of identity by a supervisor of the checklist, the moderator, or the town clerk.

If you do not have an approved photo ID from the list above, you will be informed of the new law and be permitted to vote. You will also be given an information document explaining the process.

A voter who does not have an approved photo ID may obtain a free photo ID for voting purposes only by presenting a voucher from their town/city clerk or the Secretary of State to any NH DMV office that issues identification.

For the November 6th general election, voters will be expected to present one of the photo IDs listed above. Any voter who does not present an approved photo ID will be permitted to vote after signing a "challenged voter affidavit."

After the election, you will receive a verification letter from the Secretary of State requesting confirmation that you voted in the election. If you do not respond in writing to the Secretary of State within 90 days of the date it was mailed, the Attorney General will conduct an investigation to determine whether fraudulent voting occurred.

Nothing in this legislation prevents anyone from voting in any way.

While it is estimated that 97-percent of voting age adults in NH have identification, it is important that those estimated 3-percent who don't have ID do not have barriers that prevent them from voting. That is why they will still be able to vote after signing the challenged voter affidavit form. Additionally, these people will be given instructions on how to obtain a free voter identification card that can be used at each election going forward. These IDs would be paid for using Help America Vote Act funds — federal monies that can only be used for election-related purposes.

This legislation gives voters confidence that their vote counts and isn't that what we all want — to know that our vote makes a difference?

As always I want to hear from you. If you have a concern you'd like to share, an event you'd like me to attend, or a problem you think I might be able to help with — please call or e-mail.

Sen. Jeanie Forreseter

N.H. Senate District 2

Meredith