Bullies at the Ballot Box - Demos
Bullies at the Ballot Box - Demos
Bullies at the Ballot Box - Demos
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aSSeSSment:<br />
are VoterS ProteCted?<br />
hoW IS <strong>the</strong> Challenge reSolVed?<br />
Wh<strong>at</strong> muSt a Challenger do<br />
to FIle a Challenge?<br />
Who Can Challenge<br />
BeFore eleCtIon day?<br />
St<strong>at</strong>e<br />
unS<strong>at</strong>ISFaCtory<br />
New Hampshire could improve its<br />
laws by requiring challengers to<br />
submit challenges under o<strong>at</strong>h, and<br />
requiring th<strong>at</strong> <strong>the</strong> challenger bear <strong>the</strong><br />
burden of proof.<br />
1 – Complaint in superior court: The complaint<br />
is served on <strong>the</strong> town election supervisors<br />
and challenged voter, with a time and<br />
place for “an immedi<strong>at</strong>e hearing”.<br />
The judge hearing <strong>the</strong> case may order <strong>the</strong><br />
name removed from <strong>the</strong> checklist “as justice<br />
requires”.<br />
N.H. REV. STAT. § 654.42<br />
2 - Written request with <strong>the</strong> supervisors of <strong>the</strong><br />
checklist: Election supervisors make a determin<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
whe<strong>the</strong>r it is “more likely than not”<br />
th<strong>at</strong> a voters qualific<strong>at</strong>ions are in doubt. If so,<br />
<strong>the</strong> supervisors must give a written 30-day<br />
notice for <strong>the</strong> voter to provide proof. Failure<br />
to respond or to provide proof results in <strong>the</strong><br />
voter being removed from <strong>the</strong> checklist.<br />
The burden of proof is on <strong>the</strong> challenged voter<br />
to demonstr<strong>at</strong>e <strong>the</strong>ir eligibility.<br />
N.H. REV. STAT. § 654:36-a<br />
There are two procedures:<br />
1 – Challenger files a complaint in<br />
superior court st<strong>at</strong>ing th<strong>at</strong> ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />
citizen is “illegally” on a voter roll.<br />
N.H. REV. STAT. § 654.42<br />
2 – Challenger files a written request<br />
with <strong>the</strong> supervisors of <strong>the</strong> checklist<br />
or to <strong>the</strong> town or city clerk, providing<br />
evidence th<strong>at</strong> a person is not<br />
qualified.<br />
N.H. REV. STAT. § 654:36-a<br />
neW hamPShIre Any voter can challenge any<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r voter th<strong>at</strong> is registered<br />
in <strong>the</strong> town or ward in<br />
which <strong>the</strong> election is held.<br />
N.H. REV. STAT. § 659:27<br />
mIxed<br />
North Carolina has rel<strong>at</strong>ively<br />
protective challenger laws, in th<strong>at</strong> it<br />
requires th<strong>at</strong> challenges be in writing<br />
and signed under o<strong>at</strong>h, requires hearings,<br />
and <strong>the</strong> burden of proof is on<br />
<strong>the</strong> challenger.<br />
However, its provision allowing<br />
undeliverable mail as prima facie evidence<br />
th<strong>at</strong> a person no longer resides<br />
in a precinct could give rise to voter<br />
caging and should be changed.<br />
The board of election must schedule a hearing<br />
and take testimony under o<strong>at</strong>h. The burden of<br />
proof is on <strong>the</strong> challenger.<br />
Present<strong>at</strong>ion of a returned undeliverable letter<br />
mailed to a voter, shall “constitute prima facie<br />
evidence th<strong>at</strong> <strong>the</strong> person no longer resides in<br />
<strong>the</strong> precinct.”<br />
N.C. GEN. STAT. ANN. § 163 85<br />
Challenges must be in writing, be<br />
signed under o<strong>at</strong>h, and include specific<br />
reasons why <strong>the</strong> voter’s registr<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
is challenged.<br />
No challenges allowed after <strong>the</strong> 25th<br />
day before an election.<br />
N.C. GEN. STAT. ANN. § 163 85<br />
north CarolIna Any registered voter of a<br />
county may challenge <strong>the</strong><br />
registr<strong>at</strong>ion of any o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
voter in <strong>the</strong> same county.<br />
N.C. GEN. STAT. ANN.<br />
§ 163 85<br />
35 • aPPendIx 1 | St<strong>at</strong>e Laws Governing Pre-Election Day Challenges