College students may have to speak up for their right to vote in New Hampshire as state lawmakers are pushing legislation that would make it more difficult for students to vote during the school year.
These bills, supported by New Hampshire House Republicans, would prohibit students from voting at their school unless they are permanent residents of the city surrounding it.
Another law would ban Election Day voter registration, a method of registration popular among college students.
House Speaker William O’Brien said that students lack the experience to cast an educated vote in a recent speech given for Tea Party members.
“Voting as a liberal. That’s what kids do,” O’Brien said. “They just vote their feelings.”
Supporters of these new voter regulations argue that they would better protect the electoral process from voter fraud, with 32 states preparing to introduce legislation that would require voters to present identification and proof of citizenship upon entering the polls on Election Day.
State Rep. Ric Killian, R-NC, said that it is crucial to check identification at polling locations to ensure against voter fraud.
“I want to know when I walk into the poll that they know I am who I say I am and that nobody else has said that they are me,” Killian said to The Washington Post.
Supporters of student voter rights have been speaking out against the potential legislation, claiming it is a regression of the voter rights that have developed over the last century.
“We’d like to be advocating for a 21st-century voting system, but here we are fighting against efforts to turn it back to the 19th century,” said Vice President of Rock the Vote, Thomas Bates told The Post.
If the new legislation passes, it could have resounding effects for the 2012 presidential election, as the Democrats likely to be most affected by the legislation are integral supporters of President Barack Obama.
Student groups around the country have already begun to organize in opposition to the potential voter legislation.
College of Communication junior Mariah Sondergard said she believes college students are more responsible with their votes than politicians say they are.
“I think a lot of college students are incredibly engaged,” Sondergard said. “They haven’t been as corrupted by the world, so they have a less personalized perspective.”
College of Art and Sciences sophomore Jessica Lee said that she believes it is important for college students to become acclimated to the electoral process during their college years.
“College students are in college for four years and voting shouldn’t be something completely new when they graduate,” Lee said.
CAS sophomore Ashley Legge said that she feels the proposed legislation limiting the voter rights of college students goes against the basic principles of the electoral process.
“I think taking away the college kid’s right to vote is completely not OK” Legge said. “They’re living in the state and the laws and government in general influence them. All people are foolish.”