Out-of-state students will continue to have the right to vote in New Hampshire as Strafford County Superior Court ruled on Monday. The legislation makes it more convenient for students to take advantage of their American right and increase the number of votes cast.
“Students have options now, it’s really neat,” Plymouth town clerk Karen Freitas stated in response to the legislation. Freitas encourages students to make their voice heard and register to vote in the Plymouth town hall.
“It is very, very easy. Just come down to the town hall within ten days of the election and all you need is an I.D. to fill out a voter registration form,” said Freitas. The town hall offers PSU students a comfortable environment to complete the registration, a process that tends to turn people away from voting. Freitas ensures this comfort and stated, “I don’t want to see anyone unable to vote.”
PSU student Jake Wunsch admitted, “being from Jersey, I probably wouldn’t bother going home to vote.” Benefitting from the legislation Wunsch continued, “I’ll definitely do it this year because it’s easier than I thought.”
Despite the laws conveniences, the state has thoroughly debated this piece of legislation, partly because of the complications out-of-state voting can cause. Students who are already registered in their home state must notify their state prior to registering in their school state. The integrity of an election could be questioned if registration is not organized across the nation.
“The purest way to vote is in your home state, however the law allows it and it’s not a problem. No one has the right to tell you where or when.” Freitas said.
The Strafford County Superior Court and the Plymouth town hall have done their part to aid students with the voting process. More students are motivated to vote because of the legislation, which continues to be debated within the state.