House and Senate negotiators came to an agreement today on a voter ID bill that if passed will go into effect in 15 months. According to chief House negotiator Rep. David Bates, R-Windham, concessions were made by both sides before a compromise was reached. The result, said Bates, was essentially the passing of both versions of the bill. “What’s going to happen now – in order for there to be at least in the Senate’s mind an orderly, trouble-free process – (we’re) going to use the provision of the Senate bill that accepts many, many more forms of identification,” he said. That wide identification acceptance will be used during what Bates called a “transitionary period,” which he said is really just a process to get voters used to the new requirements. Discretion will also be given to the election official, such as during instances when they know the person voting. “(Voters) will be asked for an ID, but wont be required to have one in order to vote,” Bates said in regard to the upcoming elections.
The provisions of the House proposal would then take effect on Sept. 1, 2013. The list of approved ID’s after that date would be a driver’s license or non-driver identification, a U.S. military ID, passport or a sworn affidavit including pictures.
Student identifications would not be accepted according to the bill. Bates said that the bill is only going to be as reliable as the ID’s accepted. “We felt it was necessary to have a narrow list, issued by the government,” he said. The bill still has to go before the House and Senate for a vote next week, but Bates said that he and his constituents fully anticipate it passing.
Full Article: Voter ID in NH Clears Major Hurdle – Salem, NH Patch.