Selectmen Get Voter ID Law Explanation

In the wake of a state primary election that included a "dry run" for the new Voter ID Law, a top state election official discussed the changes with the Salem Board of Selectmen at their Monday night meeting.

N.H. Deputy Secretary of State David Scanlan had previously been scheduled to speak to the board at the behest of N.H. Sen. Chuck Morse (R-Salem) to share information about the new law ahead of the November general election.

Poll workers across New Hampshire asked residents voting in last week's state primary to present their IDs at the polls but they were not required for voting.

"There were roughly six percent (of voters in the primary) that did not present an ID," Scanlan said. 

Scanlan told selectmen voters will not be required to show an identification to vote in the general election as long as their name is on a voting checklist.

"They will have to fill out a challenged voter affidavit," Scanlan said. 

Prior to an election, Scanlan said voters without identification can also get a voucher from their town clerk which can then be used to obtain a photo ID from the Division of Motor Vehicles at no cost.

"People will still get to vote on election day without an ID," Scanlan said.

Anyone who signs a challenged voter affidavit will receive a follow-up letter from the Secretary of State's office for verification. If voters don't respond to the letter, Scanlan said those names will be forwarded to the state Attorney General's office for further investigation.

"We still have a lot of work to do to educate the public and our election officials," Scanlan said.

Selectmen Chair Pat Hargreaves asked about the impact of the Voter ID law on absentee balloting and voting for overseas residents and Scanlan said the law has no impact on them.

Scanlan explained acceptable identification in the election includes a driver's license from any state (even if it is expired), a non-driver photo identification from the state, a U.S. military identification, a U.S. passport, any federal, state, county or local identification, a valid student identification and any other kind of identification deemed acceptable prior to an election by local officials.

Scanlan expressed concern about long lines forming at the polls in November as the Voter ID law is implemented.

"It's important we keep the lines going," he said, suggesting a seperate table be set up near the entrance of the polls where assistant moderators could help voters with the affidavits if they don't have identification.

Salem Town Moderator Chris Goodnow said there were "no substative issues to speak of" with the early implementation of the Voter ID law.

He referenced an Eagle-Tribune story where the League of Women Voters was investigating a complaint about an incident where someone walked out of the Ingram Senior Center without voting due to the law and said poll workers there "are unaware of anyone walking away."

Scanlan stressed the Voter ID law will be in effect for all state elections, including local elections.

The general election will be held Nov. 6.