Young Republicans and young Democrats come together to oppose Voter ID restrictions being debated in the NH Legislature. The current debate is about stopping 'phase two' of the O'Brien legislation that would greatly reduce the number of allowable forms of identification. This means that student IDs would no longer be valid.
This prompted a group of Republican and Democratic college students to come together to write a letter to the NH Legislature. They have serious concerns about protecting the rights of students who want to vote, but do not attend a state school like Plymouth State.
Everyone should have the right to freely vote and these Voter ID restrictions are more about disenfranchising voters and protecting the process. These students make a great point and the NH Senate would be wise to listen.
Dear Honorable Members of the New Hampshire General Court,
New Hampshire college students have long played a vital role in our first-in-the-nation primary and electoral process, ultimately becoming heavily invested participants in our democracy. In witnessing and hosting debates and forums on their campuses, volunteering on campaigns, and voting, it is imperative that New Hampshire students are continually encouraged to take part in our deeply valued tradition.
The currently proposed amendment to New Hampshire voter ID has caused much concern among many young voters across the Granite State, as those attending a private college in New Hampshire would be unfairly treated differently than those who attend a public university.
While our students who attend Plymouth State University or UNH would have no trouble using their student ID to vote, students attending Dartmouth College or Saint Anselm College would be turned away for using theirs.
As students from Saint Anselm College in particular, a school recognized statewide and across the country for its political activity, we are gravely concerned that such an amendment would diminish the involvement and opportunities that our students have long been afforded.
While we often have our differences on issues being debated in the State House in Concord or in Congress, we have nonetheless united to ensure the equal treatment of students in the New Hampshire electoral process with strong hopes that our counterparts in the State House and State Senate will do the same.
Sincerely,
Jesse Imse, President, St. Anselm College Democrats
Tara Sennick, Chair, St. Anselm College Republicans
Jake Wagner, Chairman, NH College Republicans
Theo Groh, President, NH Young Democrats
NHLN Note: There is also a great article on Voter ID in the Nashua Telegraph. Check it out here.