Senate Bill 179
State Senate Approves Domicile, Residency Requirements for Voters
A 30 day domicile requirement would be needed for people who wanted to vote in New Hampshire.
The state Senate passed a bill that would restore meaningful elections by better defining voter domiciles and residency requirements for individuals voting in New Hampshire elections, according to a press statement.
The bill, SB 179, would add a 30 day domicile requirement to the existing voting law and was amended to include the changes that were proposed in SB 4 which replaces the definition of domicile for voting purposes to more clearly identify New Hampshire citizens who are legally eligible to vote in the state.
The changes in this bill were sponsored by state Sen. Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry, and have the backing of New Hampshire’s Secretary of State William Gardner.
“These important reforms to our election laws are needed to better clarify domicile and residency requirements for voting purposes, eliminating the confusion that exists surrounding voter eligibility in the state,” Carson said. “These changes ensures that people who vote in our elections have an investment in the communities who are impacted by elections. Current voting laws in the state are vague and do not accurately define the true intent of the law for practical application, leaving them open to interpretation.”
Secretary of State Bill Gardner, she said, worked with her to produce a bill that would not only clarify the meaning of being a legal resident for voting purposes, but would do so without infringing on an individual’s right to vote.
“By today’s vote, it is clear to me that we have done just that,” Carson continued.
“New Hampshire’s voter residency and domicile requirements have been unclear and open to misinterpretation for years,” added state Sen. Regina Birdsell, R- Hampstead. “That is why it is essential that the Senate passed this bill today, providing clarity to the intent of the state’s voting requirements and making sure individuals have a stake in the communities where they vote. This is a major step in restoring and supporting meaningful elections for New Hampshire’s residents and we hope to see the House and Governor support this legislation.”
