NH Gov. Lynch Vetoes Voter-ID Bill

[cal04]

Source: WMUR

Bill Would Have Required Voters To Show Photo Identification

Gov. John Lynch has vetoed a bill that requires voters to show photo identification to vote in New Hampshire.

Under the bill, people without acceptable identification can cast provisional ballots. For the vote to be counted, they must return within three days with a government-issued photo identification.

Voters also could get a waiver from the photo identification requirement from the Secretary of State or request and receive a voucher to cover the cost of getting photo identification from the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

Lynch said the bill created a risk that New Hampshire voters would be denied their right to vote. He said seniors, students, those who are disabled or do not drive, and those who don't already have a state-issued or federal-issued photo ID may not be able to arrange to obtain a valid photo ID within the timeframe.



Read more: http://www.wmur.com/r/28372667/detail.html

[julian09]

1. I assume the Govenor is DEM

neither article or post mention party affiliation.

[jaysunb]

2. You assume correctly. n/t

[Demeter]

3. In Michigan, People Can Sign a Sworn Affidavit as to their identity

and there is nothing "provisional" about their right to vote...nor do they have to show up with a photo id later.

[Tanelorn]

4. I suppose also it would be difficult for a corporation to show its ID

[JAnthony]

5. We in NH are so over-run with Mexican illegal immigrants...LOL

Most people immigrating to NH come from Mass, Maine, or VT, and come for jobs.

NOT from Mexico!


I love our Dem Gov.

Wish I could say the same for the nuts in the State House and Senate.

[PatSeg]

6. Welcome to DU!

I am new to New Hampshire and just getting used to the politics here.

I am frequently amused when people here complain about those "illegal immigrants". Demographics indicate minorities here are really "minor" - almost 94% of the population is "white" with only 2.8% Hispanic or Latino(legal or illegal). I'm arming myself with statistics for the next time the subject comes up. For the most part they are nice people, but they really have no idea how few immigrants there are in NH. It seems to be a fallback position to blame every crime or problem on illegal immigrants that don't actually exist. Meanwhile, the violent crimes I've read about in the news were "legal" white people.

[JAnthony]

16. There's a whole group of white racists up in NH. They PRETEND

we have a problem with immigrants.

They are so stupid that they think people from Puerto Rico are foreigners, therefore illegal.

They are the Palin/Bachmann crowd, and THEY VOTE!

[PavePusher]

7. I have to show I.D. to exercise the Second Amendment...

why not the Fifteenth?

Hell, voting is the only Civil Right that requires Citizenship by Constitutional Amendment. (That's right, 5 of 'em....)

[The Magistrate]

8. So, Then, Sir, We May Mark You As Supporting Republican Efforts To Supress The Democratic Vote?

Because that is exactly what you have just done....

[PavePusher]

9. Sorry, I do not believe that prooving Citizenship suppresses legal votes.

How would it?

[The Magistrate]

10. Your 'Belief' Is Immaterial, Sir: It is Established Fact that it Does

An appreciable percentage of citizens do not have any state issued photo identification, and do not need such in the ordinary course of their lives. Getting such identification is often something of a bother in terms of time and travel, and even fees. It happens that the demographic slices this is most likely true of, elderly poor, students, racial and ethnic minorities, tend to vote Democratic, which is why these measures are being pressed by Republican-dominated state governments. They anticipate, with good reason, shaving one or two percent off the Democratic vote totals in next year's election. The blatancy of the intent is demonstrated in the Wisconsin measure, which excludes state university identification cards from the class of state issue photo identification for purposes of voter eligibility. But let us not pretend, Sir, that you do not know all this already: both of us, as well as everyone reading this exchange, will be perfectly well aware that you do in fact endorse Republican attempts at suppressing the Democratic vote, no matter how you try and conceal it with bogus appeals to whatever higher principles you imagine may deceive or confuse an audience. Outside the 'Gunners Lounge', Sir, that really doe not work very well....

[PavePusher]

11. Please don't attempt to tell me what I do or don't know.

Can you cite to evidence that your assertion is true?

I do not claim that all or even any of the proposed plans for requiring such proof for voting are well thought-out or practical or fair. How do you propose to accomplish voter verification? Again, it is a Constitutional requirement to be a Citizen in order to vote. I've been in the USAF over twenty years, in 5 states and three countries, and have had to prove my identity so often it's almost a reflex. Having lived overseas intermittently prior to my military career, I had to get my Vermont state representative to confirm my Citizenship merely to get in-state tuition to college. I see no problem with proving Citizenship for one of the most important, fundamental linchpins of a representative republic.

[CreekDog]

12. no you didn't need an elected official to confirm your citizenship to get in state tuition

no you didn't.

absolutely ridiculous.

[PavePusher]

13. Citizenship AND State residency, actually.

Yeah there were being real pricks about it, because my previous year's mailing address had been in Japan, even though my folks owned land, paid taxes and had all paperwork, including voter registration, in Vermont.

[AndyTiedye]

17. It Disenfranchises People who Don't Have Cars

The expected form of ID is a driver's license, and the alternatives usually are also issued at the Department of Motor Vehicles.
DMV offices are located in places that are convenient for drivers, not pedestrians.

The urban poor do not generally have cars and frequently lack driver's licenses.
Obtaining the state ID would require taking time off work and spending money they don't have.

Elderly people who no longer drive often no longer have driver's licenses.
Some of them might find it very difficult to acquire the mandated state ID.

ID mandates are effectively poll taxes and unconstitutional.

[RantinRavin]

18. May I ask then

If they can't find transportation to get identification, how do they find transportation to get to the polling location ?

[PavePusher]

19. Bingo.... !

Or grocery stores, libraries, medical facilities, etc., etc.

But when it comes to I.D.'s, people are suddenly helpless.... or something.

[AndyTiedye]

22. The Elderly Often Vote Absentee, and They Are Making That More Difficult Too

[The Magistrate]

24. In Cities, Sir, Most Are In Easy Walking Distance.

Mine polling station is across the alley, and a little to the east, no more than fifty yards from my back door.

There is no reason to suppose you are unaware many people do function without automobiles, especially in urban venues. It is the pretense of ignorance that is one of the most obnoxious features of argument for these Republican efforts at voter suppression to ensure rule of a propertied and bigoted minority under color of democracy.

[The Magistrate]

23. It is Quite Obvious, Sir: There Is No Need To Pretend, Your Purpose And Pattern Are Obvious

These proposals are put forward by Republicans in order to suppress the Democratic vote.

You support them.

The idea that you do not know what you are doing is not supportable, given the energy with which you pursue this, and other lines in support of Republican platform planks.

"You can't pound sense into a pink balloon."

[PavePusher]

25. "the energy with which {I} pursue this..."?

Six whole posts? Oops, now seven...

Whatever, your mind seems to be made up, and you claim to know mine as well. I don't play that game. Good day to you, sir.

[KamaAina]

14. Good thing they got rid of the literacy tests

"prooving" wouldn't cut it. :P

[PavePusher]

15. If someone proposed such a Constitutional Amendment....

I'd have to have some damn good reasons not to vote for it.

Anyway, the way people cast aspersions around here, republicans can't read and are stupid, so it could only work to our benefit, amIrite?

[Kingofalldems]

20. Kick and Recommend.

[iwishiwas]

21. great. time to move from WI to NH.