The year 2012 is officially under way, and with it come a host of new laws that could impact the way Americans vote and drive, and the way employers hire.

Among the new laws: more than a half dozen new voter ID laws that change the requirements for registering to vote in several states — some of which could be key to the outcome of the 2012 election; along with 83 state laws restricting abortion. Also on the books in several states: new laws that require employers to check the immigration status of potential employees, and new restrictions on using your cell phone while driving.

And that’s not all …

WATCH: NBC’s Thomas Roberts discusses the new laws on the books in 2012:

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