When freshman Maggie Flaherty arrived at Dartmouth College in 2017, registering to vote was one of the first things she did. Originally from California, she knew she’d be spending most of her time in New Hampshire and was excited to get involved in the politics there.
Registering to vote was an easy process, thanks to an on-campus event hosted by both college Democrats and Republicans. But it wasn’t long before things got complicated.
This past fall, a law took effect requiring new voters in the state to get New Hampshire driver’s licenses and auto registrations. Supporters say it will prevent voter fraud and voting by people who aren’t really residents of the state. College students, in particular, they say, often don’t remain after they graduate, so they shouldn’t be considered residents for voting purposes.
“Currently, an individual who . . . does not have any real intention of making New Hampshire their home may vote in our elections while avoiding the obligations that all other residents must meet,” Governor Chris Sununu, a Republican, said in 2018.
But critics argue that these fees are the equivalent of a poll tax, as a new license costs $50 and vehicle registration can cost hundreds. This law, they say, is an attempt to suppress the votes of college students who are trying to register in their new homes.
Maggie Flaherty arrived as a freshman at Dartmouth College in 2017. She was excited to get involved in politics. She knew she’d be spending more of her time at school in New Hampshire than back home in California. That’s why registering to vote was one of the first things she did when she got to campus.
College Democrats and Republicans hosted a joint on-campus event. That helped make it easier for students to register to vote. But it wasn’t long before things got complicated.
This past fall, a law took effect requiring new voters in the state to get New Hampshire driver’s licenses and auto registrations. Supporters say it will prevent voter fraud and voting by people who aren’t really residents of the state. They also say that college students shouldn’t be considered residents for voting purposes. Their position is rooted in the fact that college students often don’t stay after they graduate.
“Currently, an individual who . . . does not have any real intention of making New Hampshire their home may vote in our elections while avoiding the obligations that all other residents must meet,” Governor Chris Sununu,
a Republican, said in 2018.
A new license costs $50 and vehicle registration can cost hundreds. Critics argue that these fees are the same as poll taxes. This law, they say, is an attempt to suppress the votes of college students who are trying to register in their new homes.