CONCORD - The U.S. Department of Justice has cleared a new state law requiring anyone wishing to vote to be a legal resident of the state at the time of voting.

Senate Bill 318, was vetoed by Gov. John Lynch, but overridden by the legislature.

The law requires the Secretary of State and Attorney General to follow up on any individual who registers to vote without providing his or her identity.

House Speaker William O'Brien said "A fundamental premise of having elections that reflect the will of the citizens of a community or a state is that those who vote should be those who live in the city or town, and certainly the state, in which they are voting."

Supporters said the bill will allow only the people who intend to remain in communities to vote in those communities, while opponents said the bill particularly targets college students.

The bill's requirements will be in place for Tuesday's primary election and for the November general election.