This bill establishes a new process for sharing information regarding United States citizenship among the Department of Safety and the Secretary of State for individuals applying for enhanced identification cards under RSA 260:21-b. Specifically, it allows applicants to consent to have their photo images and citizenship information shared for voting identification purposes. The bill mandates that the commissioner of the Department of Safety and the Secretary of State develop an agreement to securely transmit this information by January 1, 2027. Additionally, it stipulates that the Secretary of State must transmit this information to the appropriate election clerks within three days of receipt, ensuring that it meets the proof of citizenship documentation requirements for voting.

The bill also amends RSA 654:25 to include a new requirement for maintaining citizenship status on voter checklists, provided that the clerk has received such information from the Secretary of State under the new section. The inserted language specifies that the checklist will now include "citizenship status, if the clerk has received such information from the secretary of state under RSA 659:13-c." Furthermore, the bill clarifies that applicants can withdraw their consent for sharing their information at any time, and it emphasizes that this process does not affect voter registration status. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 654:25
SB438 text: 654:25