Bill > HB1520

This bill defines citizenship and voting qualifications for the state of New Hampshire, introducing several new legal definitions and requirements for voter registration. The bill establishes specific criteria for being considered an "inhabitant" or "citizen of this state," including requiring individuals to have a single established domicile and either be native-born in New Hampshire or take an oath of allegiance to the state. It mandates that voter registration applicants provide proof of both New Hampshire and United States citizenship, with acceptable documentation including birth certificates, passports, naturalization papers, and a new "New Hampshire citizenship card" that will be issued by the Secretary of State. The bill also clarifies domicile requirements, allowing students and others to establish voting residency under specific conditions, and provides detailed guidelines for proving identity, age, and residency when registering to vote. Notably, the bill requires that a New Hampshire citizen cannot be a legal resident of any other state or federal territory, and it introduces a formal process for individuals to become "naturalized" citizens of New Hampshire through an oath of allegiance. The legislation will take effect one year after its passage, and the state anticipates spending over $2.5 million on a statewide voter education campaign to implement these changes.

Government Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=2442&inflect=2