Ex-lawmaker in New Hampshire loses voting rights due to change in residency

A former New Hampshire lawmaker, Troy Merner, a Republican, has been spared jail time but forfeited his voting rights after relocating out of his district, retaining his position for a year and facing charges connected to his change of address. Merner, 62, entered a guilty plea to lesser offenses of wrongful voting and theft by deception. He secured a fourth term representing Lancaster in 2022, concurrently with his move to Carroll. Following an investigation into a complaint, he resigned in September 2023 for allegedly voting in Lancaster post his relocation.
The court approved Merner’s plea deal, where he was accused of voting in Lancaster and receiving excessive mileage reimbursement under the guise of residing there. Despite attempts to reach Merner’s lawyer going unanswered, it was confirmed that New Hampshire mandates legislators to live in their represented district. Legislators receive a nominal annual fee of $100 but are compensated for travel to Concord, the state capital.
Merner was given a suspended 12-month sentence, contingent on maintaining good behavior for two years. He conceded that his voting rights in New Hampshire would be revoked unless reinstated by the state’s supreme court. Additionally, Merner committed to refraining from pursuing any elected or appointed public office for the duration of the suspension and agreed to a fine amounting to $1,100.