SB 418 is yet another Republican attack on Election Day registration, which has been a part of our elections since 1993. A quick search shows there have been at least three separate attempts to scrap it just since 2017. SB 418 creates a provisional ballot system for voters who choose to register at their polling place, which infringes on their right to cast a secret ballot. SB 418 requires that voters who register at the polls be given a separate provisional ballot with a unique identifier that links the voter’s identity with their ballot, and therefore how they voted in that election.
If the voter doesn’t provide additional paperwork within 10 days, their ballot is retrieved and invalidated. Clearly, this is a violation of voters’ privacy, and it creates two classes of voters. SB 418 needlessly complicates registration at the polling place and imposes unfair burdens on some voters. This subset of voters be given a special packet, the contents of which have not been revealed, which must be explained to them by an election official, thus adding to long lines. SB 418 seems to be another blatant attempt to decrease voter participation by imposing confusing and time-consuming requirements on constitutionally-qualified Granite State voters. Please contact your senator and representative to express your opposition to this needless bill. Also, contact the bill’s sponsors: Sens. Giuda, Bradley, French and Gannon, and Rep. Howard.
John Keegan
Boscawen