Former New Hampshire lawmaker, Troy Merner, is facing multiple charges related to his change of address, including wrongful voting, public records tampering, theft by deception, and unsworn falsification. Merner, a Republican, won his fourth term representing Lancaster in the House in 2022, despite having moved to Carroll around the same time. However, he resigned in September after an investigation by the attorney general's office revealed that he had continued to vote in Lancaster after his move.

The charge of wrongful voting is a class B felony, carrying a potential sentence of up to seven years in prison and a permanent loss of voting privileges. In addition to this, Merner has also been charged with three misdemeanors, including theft by deception, unsworn falsification, and tampering with public records. These charges allege that he fraudulently claimed excessive mileage reimbursement by falsely stating that he still resided in Lancaster. According to New Hampshire law, lawmakers are required to live in the district they represent. Although lawmakers receive only a modest annual salary of $100, they are reimbursed for their travel expenses to and from Concord.

Merner's actions came to light after a complaint was filed, prompting an investigation by the attorney general's office. The charges against him were announced on Tuesday, and he is due to appear in court on December 28. It is worth noting that Merner did not have an attorney listed in the court documents, and a phone number listed for him was out of service.

In September, Merner spoke to the Caledonian-Record, claiming that he had moved to Carroll in November 2022. However, the attorney general's office determined that his residency in Lancaster had ended in August, after the sale of his house. Prior to this determination, Merner had expressed his intention to serve out the remainder of his terms both as a state representative and as a member of the Lancaster Select Board. He explained that while the situation made him uneasy, he wanted to fulfill his responsibilities towards his constituents. "I represent the people, I don't represent myself," he stated.

The charges against Merner highlight the importance of upholding the integrity of the electoral process and the public's trust in elected officials. If found guilty, Merner could face severe consequences, including imprisonment and the loss of his voting privileges. The case will continue to unfold as Merner's court appearance approaches, and it will be interesting to see how it will impact the political landscape in New Hampshire.