Sen. Russell Prescott, R-Kingston, unveiled a user-friendly voter ID bill Tuesday that could end years of partisan bickering and produce a new mandate for citizens at the polls. Prescott spent last month negotiating with and winning the support of Secretary of State Bill Gardner’s office and the New Hampshire Town and Clerks Association for the framework of a law that would require voters to produce a photo of their likeness before getting a ballot, starting in 2016. “This bill is all about placing a face with a name,” Prescott told the Senate Public and Municipal Affairs Committee Tuesday.
The amended bill, SB 289, would allow those without an ID to vote, but only after signing an affidavit and letting their ballots become challenged ones in case there is a recount. The local clerks and Gardner had opposed the 2011 edition of a voter ID bill. That earlier version also would have let those without identification vote but not count those “provisional ballots” until the individuals could produce proof within three days after the election.
Gov. John Lynch vetoed last year’s compromise, which had largely been what House Republican leaders had wanted. The Senate sustained Lynch’s decision.
Full Article: New voter ID bill has more support – NashuaTelegraph.com.