HB608

I oppose this bill.

Oh for goodness sakes! Really? Strongly opposed to these unnecessary barriers.

Requiring notarized absentee ballots puts an undue burden on voters. It's not necessary, amounting to duplication of requiring identification. Please reject this bill.

This legislation would add unnecessary burdens to NH residents seeking to exercise their right to vote by requiring them to get their absentee ballot notarized, which would require transportation and funds to access the notary.

There is simply no need for notarization.

Bill is too restrictive and would deny right to vote to people who would have trouble getting their ballot application notarized. Requiring notarization of ballot application is an unnecessary burden for those who find it hard to get to govt. offices to find a notary which is why they need to vote absentee in the first place.

It’s must more efficient to process any received absentee ballots before Election Day. Speeds up the process on Election Day if they can get ahead of the legal absentee ballots received earlier.

Voting absentee in NH already requires a signed affidavit, a legal document signed under penalty of perjury that already carries heavy consequences if falsified. Requiring the ballot itself to be notarized does nothing to increase the security of process but does create a whole extra burden on folks who are already pressed for time.

This is an effort to disenfranchise voters for trivial reasons.

We need to make easier for people too vote, not harder. We already have an excellent track record on protecting election integrity.

Notarization? Why make voting so difficult and expensive. Please trust NH citizens!

This goes counter to the whole reason absentee ballots are offered. Adding more steps and requirements is a bad idea.

Requiring moderators to inspect absentee ballot affidavits for full execution including use of a notary, election officer, or any person authorized by law to administer oaths. This suggestion is ignorant, sucks up valuable time from a moderator who is overseeing the entire election, is disruptive, and just plain stupid. If a person has signed an affidavit under the penalty of perjury, that person realizes the seriousness of the affidavit and does not need one more check by a moderator. DUMB, DUMB, DUMB.

I don't think the identity should have to be notarized to have an absentee ballot. Anyone who has a valid ID can go to the town Hall where I live and request an absentee ballot due to being away, or concern about accessibility, health, illness, or other reason and get an ballot. In many States everyone gets his/her ballot by mail and mails it in. We don't need any more red tape or barriers to keep people from voting. The more people vote, the better the democracy. Joanna Andros

As an Elections Volunteer, I can attest that this process already works. Don't try to fix what isn't broken.

To incur the expense of a notary and find one in the rural areas is a hardship we should not have to undertake in order to practice a fundamental right.

Thank you for taking my comments! As with HB 686, I would like to voice my opposition to HB 608. It seems that this will create a LOT more work for the clerks since they will in the vast majority of cases do the notarization. And, an election official (clerk or deputy clerk) are the ones receiving the absentee requests so the witnessing seems duplicative. Please vote this bill down! Thank you Rodney Phillips Moderator, Town of Loudon

People who vote in person don't need their ballot notarized. There is no reason to require it of people voting by absentee ballot. That would be an unnecessary extra step and extra expense that could deter voters. If someone is unable to get to the polling place because they are disabled or out of town, they also are likely to get to a notary. I have been really impressed by how the election officials work to enforce the rules AND ensure everyone who is eligible can vote. Please don't change that.

Creates an unnecessary barrier for people to exercise their right to vote

Requiring notarization of absentee ballot applications can be difficult for those who already have reasons why they can’t get to the polls. This places undue burden on NH absentee voters. Vote no on this bill.

So many co-sponsors, so much distrust! Why would you make it more difficult for ANY voter, especially the least able to access assistance for voting, by making them (and/or anyone assisting them) to have their signatures notarized? And to get a color copy of documents (for some disabled voters, who may only have an old black and white printer at home, this is a hardship). Where is the voter fraud in past elections that has caused you to introduce this legislation?? By the way, it is INCORRECT to say that someone can notarize their own signature; rather, one has one's signature notarized (by a person authorized to do so). The current process and requirements are adequate--there is no reason to make voting more difficult, especially for those who are exercising their rights under the duress of circumstances beyond their control.

I oppose this bill which adds further requirements for those attempting to vote by absentee ballot --- requiring the absentee ballot affidavit be notarized or further signed by an election officer. There has been no evidence of serious fraud around absentee ballots and this will further disenfranchise eligible voters – especially those with disabilities who are registering absentee because they are unable to do so in person. Finding and paying for a notary add further burdens. If law makers want everyone to vote in person, they should make the whole process easier as is done in other countries - make it a holiday and expand hours for voting. Bills like this are not helping the process.

I oppose this bill.

The right to a free and fair election is one of the most important rights we hold in this country

Difficult for seniors.