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Requiring proof of qualifications at the state level is a very good idea. New Hampshire has made some progress in that area, more probably would have occurred if we didn't have a Democratic majority in the NH House. Here is the law that was passed:

RSA 655:47, I Presidential Nominations; Declaration of Candidacy. The names of any persons to be voted upon as candidates for president at the presidential primary shall be printed on the ballots upon the filing of declarations of candidacy with the secretary of state in the following form and signed by the candidate:

“I, ____, swear under penalties of perjury that I am qualified to be a candidate for president of the United States pursuant to article II, section 1, clause 4 of the United States Constitution, which states, “No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States.”

I further declare that I am domiciled in _____, in the city (or town or unincorporated place) of _____, county of ____, state of ____, that I am a registered member of the _____ party; that I am a candidate for the nomination for the office of president to be made at the primary election to be held on the ____ day of _____; and I hereby request that my name be printed on the official primary ballot of said _____ party as a candidate for such nomination.

No corroborating documentation required, so it is a pretty weak test, but it is a start.

You're right, it's a good start, but there needs to be corroborating documentation. I would even go so far as to include a penalty for any Sec. of State refusing to comply, up to and including removal from office and jail time.

I have a good state rep in my district, so I'm going to drop him a line and suggest he introduces such legislation next session. I hope everyone hammers their reps and senators to do this.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!