Sen. James Gray proposes using DMV and vital records to verify voter qualifications; clerks and advocates warn of implementation, funding risks

At a public hearing of the Election Law Committee, Sen. James Gray introduced Amendment 18-07s, which would let election officials use state data sources such as the Department of Motor Vehicles records and vital records to verify a registrant’s citizenship, age and domicile when those records already exist.

Gray said the amendment is not intended to “take over providing the proof that a voter needs — citizenship, domicile, identity and age,” but to let officials use records the state already holds to confirm information when available. “If we’ve got the record, why shouldn’t we use those records?” he told the committee.

Supporters and voting-rights advocates told the committee the idea could make registration easier for some voters but urged careful drafting and funding. Liz Tentarelli, president of the Nonpartisan League of Women Voters of New Hampshire, said she backed the amendment’s intent but worried that, without clear implementation and funding, city elections in the fall — where many voters register same day — could see large numbers turned away if…