This bill, HB 1520-FN, seeks to redefine citizenship in New Hampshire specifically for voting purposes by repealing and reenacting RSA 21:6. It clarifies key terms such as "inhabitant," "citizen of this state," "naturalization," and "domicile," establishing that a "citizen of this state" includes both native-born individuals and those who have been naturalized in New Hampshire. A significant addition is the introduction of a New Hampshire citizenship card, which will be issued by the Secretary of State to both native citizens and individuals from other states who take an oath of allegiance to New Hampshire. The bill also amends RSA 654:1 and RSA 654:12 to require proof of citizenship for voter registration, mandating documentation like a birth certificate or the new citizenship card.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the requirements for establishing domicile for voting and includes provisions for students attending educational institutions in New Hampshire. It removes certain definitions and requirements from current law that are now replaced with the new language. While the bill does not allocate funding or create new positions, it is expected to incur significant costs, estimated at over $2.5 million, primarily for a statewide education campaign to inform voters about the changes. The bill is set to take effect one year after its passage, marking a substantial shift in the verification of citizenship for voting in the state.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 654:1, 654:12
HB1520 text: 654:1, 654:12