The New Hampshire Secretary of State’s office is set to hire a new staffer dedicated to voter education, as legislation that could impact the same-day registration process may be implemented soon. Secretary of State David Scanlan shared this information with a bipartisan committee that had been formed to assess voter confidence in the state’s elections in 2023. The committee’s final report, issued 16 months ago, concluded that New Hampshire elections are well-run and accurate, with no evidence of widespread fraud. Most of the committee’s recommendations have been implemented, and the new staffer will focus on expanding voter education efforts and recruiting more poll workers, including reaching out to schools and veteran groups.
Lawmakers in New Hampshire are on the verge of passing legislation that will require individuals registering to vote at the polls to provide documents proving their identity, domicile, age, and U.S. citizenship. Currently, those without proper documentation can sign an affidavit promising to provide it within seven days. The proposed legislation would eliminate this affidavit process, with one version suggesting a hotline system for poll workers to verify information through state databases. Supporters argue that these changes are necessary to increase confidence in the election process, while opponents, particularly Democrats, believe it may disenfranchise qualified voters who are unaware of these requirements.
While Secretary Scanlan refrained from commenting on the legislation earlier, as it may face legal challenges if passed, he acknowledged that it addresses voter confidence concerns. He emphasized the importance of balancing ease of voting access for qualified individuals with ensuring the qualifications of voters participating in elections. The bipartisan committee’s recommendations also focused on changes to election procedures, such as purchasing new ballot counting devices, expanding post-election audits, and improving the absentee ballot process. The committee also called for expanded training for election workers and increased public visibility into the election process.
Progress has been made on implementing the committee’s recommendations, including testing new ballot counting machines in some towns and legislation to expand post-election audits awaiting the governor’s approval. The Secretary of State’s office has increased training sessions for local election officials, with thousands attending online sessions and hundreds attending in-person sessions. Scanlan stressed the importance of local participation in the electoral process, as local election officials are responsible for running elections in New Hampshire, giving him confidence in the integrity of the process. By addressing voter education, election procedures, and training for officials, New Hampshire aims to maintain a transparent and efficient electoral system.
