CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) and House Majority Leader Pete Silva (R-Nashua) today offered the following comments on the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) today approving New Hampshire’s photo identification law passed this year.
House Speaker William O’Brien
“When I came to New Hampshire almost 30 years ago I was surprised, as I think many others were, that we didn’t have to identify ourselves when we exercise the most important civic duty that we have. Voting is a duty that is of greater importance than taking a plane, train, or going into a commercial or federal building, which all require ID. Even going into the Democratic National Convention requires identification. I am pleased we have been able to take this step toward supporting electoral integrity this term. Once again voters in New Hampshire should be proud of the achievements of their Representatives and Senators in Concord this legislative term.”
House Majority Leader Pete Silva
“It certainly is not a major imposition to ask for a driver’s license or other ID when we are talking about protecting one of our most important rights as Americans. The Supreme Court has consistently held that requiring a photo ID is not a barrier to our constitutional right to vote. Passing voter ID and strengthening voter laws in New Hampshire have been priorities of House Republicans and we were very pleased to receive this news from USDOJ today.”