Oops. There’s another glitch in the voter ID bill that’s headed to the desk of Gov. John Lynch. The compromise bill enjoys strong Republican support in the House of Representatives and the Senate. But this was predicated on the measure not facing opposition from the city and town clerks across the state or Secretary of State Bill Gardner. That’s where the hang-up comes in. At the 11th hour, the legislation was changed by House and Senate negotiators. The key language deals with what happens at the general election this November if you don’t have an ID. The compromise requires that you have to sign an affidavit under penalty of perjury that attests you are who you say you are and that you’re eligible to vote at the polling place. The clerks had wanted the affidavit to be the one the Senate had proposed for challenged voters.
The final version has the affidavit as one for “eligible voters.’’ The second affidavit is much longer and asks more probing questions, including about past status as an alien resident of this country. The first affidavit could be filled out at the registration table quickly. Clerks fear the second could take several minutes. With a massive turnout expected at this presidential election, election officials fear the eligible voter affidavit could lead to longer lines, particularly during crunch times.
Full Article: Voter ID bill resisted by town, city clerks – NashuaTelegraph.com.