CONCORD, NH — After a lengthy debate about whether there is the need to strengthen residency voting requires and election integrity in the state of New Hampshire, the state Senate approved SB3, a new measure which has a goal of better defining the definition of a domicile for voting purposes. The 14 to 9 vote was along party lines.

The proposal, according to sponsor state Sen. Regina Birdsell, R-Hampstead, who also represents Windham, would ensure that no citizen who is legally able to vote in the state will be turned away while also asking voters to show proof of residency while registering to vote the same-day or within 10 or 30 days after casting a ballot. "I've listened to my constituents who believe that our state needs stronger election laws to make sure their vote counts," she said in a statement. "The passage of this legislation in the Senate today is a considerable step forward in strengthening the integrity of every ballot cast in a New Hampshire election."

The proposal was one of many – including some forwarded by state Rep. David Bates, R-Windham, who exposed a voter fraud incident in 2014 to state investigators – that were proposed in the wake of thousands of voter affidavits in the last three election cycles being returned as undeliverable and never investigated for fraud, leading many to suspect that fraud and/or drive-by voting – out-of-state campaign staffers, visitors, and others who don't live in New Hampshire – are illegally voting in the state. "I have heard from many voters that they are concerned that their vote may be diluted by votes cast by improper voters. Secretary Gardner is supportive of this legislation because it takes the position of trust but verify," Birdsell added. "This bill is the right thing to do, ensuring that those who vote in our elections have a stake in the outcome, which impacts our communities. I am pleased by the support of this legislation in the Senate today, and I look forward to strong support of this measure as it makes its way through the House."

Senate Democrats, however, called the proposal "damaging" and claimed it would limit access and create intimidation. "This legislation has absolutely no place in a state that prides itself on accessible, fair and transparent elections," said Democratic Leader Senator Jeff Woodburn, D-Whitefield. "Despite recent unfounded and, frankly, irresponsible comments by President Trump, all evidence indicates that voter fraud is a non-issue in New Hampshire and that our current system is working as intended. Senate Bill 3 is a classic case of a solution in search of a problem."

Wooburn suggested that if Republicans were truly concerned about election manipulation, they would "bolster the security and sanctity of our democratic process" and "tighten up our lobbying laws, allocate resources to the attorney general's office to address election-related complaints and expanding access to the ballot via online voter registration would be top, bipartisan priorities."

New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley also pounced on the vote saying it was an attempt by the GOP to strip Granite Staters of their voting rights.