A controversial new law signed by New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu mandates that voters must provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote and show a valid ID before casting a ballot. The law, which will take effect 60 days after the upcoming November 5 general election, has sparked intense debate over its potential impact on voter accessibility.
The bill was passed in May by New Hampshire’s Republican-controlled Legislature, but it remained unsigned for months before Governor Sununu approved it on Thursday. While Sununu acknowledged that New Hampshire’s elections are already secure and well-administered, he stated that the new law would further strengthen public confidence in the electoral process. “New Hampshire has a proud tradition and proven track record of conducting elections that are trusted and true,” Sununu said in a statement reported by The Boston Globe. He added that the legislation would help “instill even more integrity and trust in the voting process” for years to come.
Despite Sununu’s assurances, the law has drawn sharp criticism from opponents. State Representative Angela Brennan (D) denounced the measure as unconstitutional, predicting it will lead to expensive legal battles at the expense of New Hampshire taxpayers. In a post on social media platform X, Brennan warned, “Expect extensive and expensive lawsuits on NH taxpayers’ dime. Thanks, NHGOP.”
The law replaces the state’s current affidavit system, which allows voters who lack proper identification to cast a ballot by signing a sworn statement. Although the affidavit option will remain available for this year’s election, critics argue that the new requirements will disenfranchise eligible voters in future elections.
McKenzie Taylor, campaign director for the New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights, voiced concerns about the potential negative effects of the legislation. “This extreme legislation signed by the Governor will roll back voting access for all eligible Granite Staters,” Taylor said in a statement. She further noted that once the law goes into effect, voters without proper documentation could be turned away from the polls, placing additional burdens on election officials and complicating the state’s voter registration system.
New Hampshire is now the first state in the nation to require proof of citizenship as part of its voter ID law, a move that has set the stage for legal challenges and raised questions about the future of voting rights in the state.