Federal Judge Overturns New Hampshire Voting Law

A federal judge has annulled a New Hampshire law passed in 2024, blocking new voters from using a sworn affidavit to prove citizenship when lacking official documents like a birth certificate or passport.

Judge Samantha D. Elliott of the U.S. District Court in New Hampshire delivered the decision, describing the law as an “unjustifiable burden on the right to vote,” violating the First and 14th Amendments. The ruling came out on Thursday and was effective immediately, negating the law signed by then-Republican governor Chris Sununu.

Michael Garrity, a spokesman for New Hampshire’s Justice Department, announced the state’s intention to appeal the decision. He claimed the law was a “common-sense approach” to secure election integrity.

The law was challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Hampshire on behalf of several organizations including the League of Women Voters of New Hampshire. The ACLU argued that it could unconstitutionally prevent eligible voters from voting.

Henry Klementowicz, deputy legal director for the state ACLU, stated that eliminating the law was necessary to protect voter rights. He noted that New Hampshire’s elections have always maintained integrity and accuracy.

Reports of improper voting remained constant before and after the law’s enactment, Judge Elliott mentioned. The number of reported incidents to the state attorney general did not decrease following the law’s passage.