New Hampshire's strict voter registration law partially overturned by federal judge
New Hampshire's strict voter registration law partially overturned by federal judge
New Hampshire's strict voter registration law partially overturned by federal judge
A federal judge has struck down parts of New Hampshire’s voter registration law, calling it one of the strictest in the country. The ruling restores the option for residents to sign an affidavit confirming their citizenship if they lack documentary proof. The decision comes as former President Donald Trump pushes a national proof-of-citizenship bill in Congress. The case was brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire and other groups. They argued that removing the affidavit option placed an unfair burden on voters without significantly preventing fraud. The judge agreed, ruling that the state must reinstate the sworn statement as an alternative.
New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan confirmed that affidavits will return, though other parts of the law remain unchanged. Voters will still need to show ID on Election Day. The debate over proof-of-citizenship laws extends beyond New Hampshire. Similar rules exist in Arizona, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, and Florida. A 2025 University of Maryland study found that 21.3 million eligible voters lack easy access to citizenship documents. Kansas previously scrapped its own law after it blocked over 31,000 citizens from registering, with courts ruling it violated federal voting rights protections.
The ruling eases registration requirements for some New Hampshire voters. It also highlights ongoing disputes over voting access as states weigh stricter ID laws. The decision may influence similar cases in other states with proof-of-citizenship rules.