Gov. Chris Sununu is preparing to ask the state Supreme Court for an advisory opinion on a controversial new election law, but the court has dodged such questions in the recent past. The governor announced on Tuesday that he plans to bring a late item to the Executive Council today asking the council to adopt a resolution regarding HB 1264, the bill defining residency as a condition for voting. Supporters say the bill will help ensure that only New Hampshire residents vote in state elections, while opponents say it will suppress the vote of college students and others living in the state on a temporary basis, but still entitled to vote here. The bill has cleared the House and Senate, and is awaiting Sununu’s signature.
“My position has not changed,” said Sununu on Tuesday. “I remain concerned about the bill’s constitutionality, and as such, I am asking the Supreme Court to weigh in on this issue to put this matter to rest once and for all.”
Sununu will present the five-member council with a resolution outlining the issues and seeking an opinion from the court on certain constitutional questions surrounding the right to vote.
“Since it’s a late item, it is not on the formal agenda. It will be on a late item agenda released Wednesday morning, and will likely be taken up at the very end of the council meeting,” according to Sununu spokesman Ben Vihstadt
Full Article: Court could decline Gov. Sununu’s request to give advisory opinion on new election law | New Hampshire.