Politics & Government

Exeter Senator: Voter ID Bill Too Stringent

Gov. Lynch vetoed the bill; an override effort could happen in the fall.

Though a more stringent voter identification law was nixed by the governor, Exeter's state senator continues to speak out against it as a potential veto override looms in the fall.

Sen. Russell Prescott, R-Kingston, voted against Senate Bill 129, which would have required voters to present a federal- or state-issued ID before voting in any municipal, state, or federal election. If the voter had no ID, he/she would cast a provisional ballot that would not be counted until the person obtained an ID within two and a half days or got a waiver.

Gov. John Lynch vetoed the law, arguing the window to obtain an ID was too short and would discourage people from voting.

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Prescott said he is against the provisional ballot stipulation. He said if a voter doesn't have an ID, he/she should be able to sign an affidavit to vote.

"It shouldn't be harder to vote than to register to vote," Prescott told town officials Monday.

Find out what's happening in Exeterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He added he could submit legislation in that model next year.

Prescott said a veto override of SB 129 could happen in the fall. He said he is attending a meeting Aug. 10 in Newmarket with town clerks from across the state to talk about the law if it becomes enacted.


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