CONCORD, N.H. – This Town Meeting season is the first big test of a new voter ID law in New Hampshire, and it’s giving election officials a preview of what to expect – and how to prepare – for much higher-turnout elections for state and federal races on the horizon.
Under the new law, everyone registering and voting must show documentation proving they’re qualified to do so by showing proof of citizenship and a photo ID.
On Tuesday, volunteer election observers saw at least 30 people who were turned away from the polls because they didn’t bring the proper documentation, according to the New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights. Some of those people were able to go home, get the required ID or passport, and come back in time to vote, election officials said.
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“Between now and the next midterm people have to be ready,” said Hooksett Town Moderator Todd E. Lizotte. He believes a higher turnout election could lead to longer wait times.
“I think the biggest thing that’s going to happen is you’re going to have to wait to get processed,” he said.
In Amherst, Sydney Irving, a supervisor of the checklist, said about 45 new voters registered on Tuesday, while about three or four people were turned away.
Among those turned away were two women who had changed their birth name, Irving said, adding that one of them returned with a marriage certificate showing the history of how her name has changed over the years.
Irving said some were young people who just turned 18 and didn’t know they needed to bring proof of citizenship but came back later in the day with the documents.
“We understand that not everyone is going to keep up with the law but also try to educate new potential voters on what is needed going forward,” Irving said.
In Londonderry, Kristin Grages, chair of the supervisors of the checklist, said by midday Tuesday she’d had to turn away about 20 percent of people trying to register, or five voters, who didn’t bring proof of citizenship to the polls.
She said in some cases, people thought they were already registered, and so they didn’t bring extra documentation beyond their ID. She said the town is trying to get the word out about the new requirements by posting on the town’s social media pages, in the local paper, and on the town website.
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Even so, “There definitely has been a gap in voter understanding in what they need to bring, no matter how good our efforts are,” she said.
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Amanda Gokee can be reached at amanda.gokee@globe.com. Follow her @amanda_gokee.