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THE WEIRS TIMES & THE COCHECO TIMES, Thursday, March 29, 2012


FORRESTER from 8


tunately, because states without voter ID laws lack any sort of a reliable paper trail, it is nearly impossi- ble to properly investigate possible election fraud after the fact. A study by the Pew Cen-


ter for the States discov- ered that 1.8 million dead Americans are registered to vote. Perhaps worse, 2.75 million Americans are enrolled in two states each, while 68,725 are signed up in three. Ac- cording to the study, 24 mi l l ion—one of every


eight—active voter regis- trations in the U.S. are significantly inaccurate or are no longer valid. New Hampshire is the


only state that allows same day registration, does not require a photo ID, and does not employ provisional ballots – un- fortunately this combina- tion makes our process ripe for fraud and mag- nifies the importance of voter ID reforms. Protecting the integrity


of our elections is ex- tremely important because New Hampshire holds the


proud distinction of being the First-In-The-Nation primary state. With all eyes focused on how New Hampshire votes, it is our duty to ensure that every person’s vote is valid and protected – not just every four years, but at every election. For most, carrying and


showing a photo ID has become a routine and necessary part of our daily lives. You can’t cash a check, drive a car, buy certain cold medicines or check baggage at the air- port without one. Why,


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then, would it be unrea- sonable to require an ID in order to protect a fun- damental right of our de- mocracy? SB289 would require


individuals to present a valid photo ID to vote in person starting later this year. Those without an ID would be required to sign a voter affidavit swearing they are who they say they are and that they meet voting require- ments. These voters will be mailed (and instructed to return) an identity veri- fication letter. Nothing in this bill would prevent someone from voting in any way. Under SB 289, valid photo ID’s include: A driv- er’s license issued by the state of New Hampshire (regardless of expiration date); an identification card issued by the Divi- sion of Motor Vehicles; an Armed Services identifica- tion card; a U.S. Passport (regardless of expiration date); any other valid pho- to ID issued by federal, state, county or municipal government; and a valid student ID card. While it is estimated


that 97% of voting age adults in NH have iden- tification, it is important that those estimated 3% who don’t have ID do not have barriers that prevent them from voting. That is


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why they will still be able to vote after signing the voter affidavit form. Ad- ditionally, 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. New Hampshire is spe-


cial because of our citi- zens’ level of civic engage- ment, and this recent town meeting day was a perfect example of our long-standing tradition of local self-governance. It also highlighted how important protecting the integrity of our elections is:


A selectman in Derry


was elected by just one vote. A teacher’s contract in Allenstown failed by two votes. The voters in Freemont chose to spend over $450,000 to pur- chase a new fire truck, approving the measure by only 10 votes. SB 289 gives voters con-


fidence that their vote counts and isn’t that what we all want—to know that our vote makes a differ- ence? 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 tp 603-271-2111 or email jeanie.forrester@leg.state. nh.us.


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