CONCORD, NH- House Republican Leader Dick Hinch (R-Merrimack) released the following statement in response to public hearings held Thursday on HB105, relative to domicile residency, voter registration, and investigation of voter verification letters and HB106, relative to the terms “resident,” “inhabitant,” “residence,” and “residency.”
“HB106 seeks to repeal common sense legislation that the State just enacted in 2018. Just this past July, the NH Supreme Court issued an advisory opinion on HB1264 stating there is nothing unconstitutional about requiring individuals to make a choice as to where they are residents.”
“I don’t believe it is unreasonable for us to require that those who participate in our elections be residents of our state,” Hinch continued. “What I do believe to be unreasonable is that we have had two classifications of voters in our state: those who abide by our statutes and laws as residents, and those who don’t.”
“Similarly, HB105 seeks to repeal much of what the State passed in SB3. In a state where numerous elections have been decided by just a handful of votes, it is important to make sure that every ballot cast by an eligible voter is counted, and the domicile loophole is closed.”
“HB1264 and SB3 did not make us any different from our neighboring states. In this past election, there were no reports of any voters being disenfranchised by the new requirements. In fact, voter turnout in college towns made records. The arguments for passing HB105 and HB106 are misleading and classic fear mongering perpetuated by the other side. I trust my colleagues on the Election Law committee will see through these conspiracies and find HB105 and HB106 inexpedient to legislate.”
