Editor's note: New Hampshire's own Governor Lynch stands out as a bright star in support of voter rights and election integrity. Don't forget to thank the Governor for his veto of House Bill 1566.

Veto Message of Governor John H. Lynch

Regarding House Bill 1566

By the authority vested in me as Governor of New Hampshire, pursuant to Part II, Article 44 of the Constitution of New Hampshire, on May 23, 2006, I vetoed HB 1566, an act relative to the definitions of resident for motor vehicle law purposes and domicile for voting purposes and relative to vehicle registration and driver's license requirements.

We need to encourage all New Hampshire citizens to vote and to participate fully in our democracy. We also need to ensure that our election laws do not unfairly burden those voters that have recently established a domicile in New Hampshire and are qualified to vote in this state.

I cannot support HB 1566 because this bill would make it more difficult for our younger voters and our newest residents to exercise their constitutional right to vote. Whether intended or not by its sponsor, HB 1566 would prohibit otherwise qualified citizens from registering to vote on election day in New Hampshire if they had registered a motor vehicle in another state, or possessed a driver's license issued by another state. I cannot support a bill that will disenfranchise New Hampshire voters through amendments to motor vehicle registration laws. This bill is also likely to create confusion and new difficulties for senior voters who own second homes in other states and may maintain motor vehicles in other states.

Our election laws clearly establish that voters must be domiciled in New Hampshire in order to vote in this state, and that all New Hampshire residents must comply with motor vehicle registration and licensing requirements. This bill is unnecessary, and I will continue to ensure that any changes to our election laws do not operate to place undue barriers on any citizen's constitutional right to vote.

Respectfully submitted,

_____________________ Governor

Date: May 23, 2006