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Supreme Ct. hears voter registration case

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This week the New Hampshire Supreme Court heard arguments in a case challenging the affidavit citizens sign when registering to vote. 

For decades New Hampshire has required voters to sign a form that confirms they are domiciled in New Hampshire.  In 2012 the New Hampshire Legislature rewrote that affidavit to include the following sentence:

"In declaring New Hampshire as my domicile, I am subject to the laws of the state of New Hampshire which apply to all residents, including laws requiring a driver to register a motor vehicle and apply for a New Hampshire’s driver’s license within 60 days of becoming a resident."

Four out-of-state college students challenged the rewrite in court, arguing that the wording suggests citizens must register a car and apply for a driver's license in order to declare domicile and vote.  Neither registering a car nor obtaining a driver's license is required.

"The form clearly burdens fundamental rights in New Hampshire," said New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union lawyer Bill Christie. "It would impose a poll tax in the state of New Hampshire. It would impose a fee to vote."

Assistant Attorney General Stephen LaBonte argued the form merely reminds voters that they may also be subject to residency laws.

Former House Speaker Bill O'Brien (R), who oversaw the change of the form in 2012, said at the time, "Allowing non-residents into New Hampshire to dictate who will be our presidential choice, who shall be our governor, and who shall represent us in the Legislature takes away our voting rights."

The New Hampshire Supreme Court did not indicate when they will issue their ruling on the case.

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