New Hampshire has bolstered its voting laws by abolishing exemptions to voter identification requirements, a move set to take effect after the current election cycle. The newly signed law, championed by Republicans, marks a significant victory for the party in its nationwide push for stricter voting regulations.
Governor Chris Sununu hailed the legislation as a crucial step in upholding the state’s reputation for conducting trustworthy elections. “New Hampshire has a long history of conducting elections that are reliable and trustworthy,” he stated. “This legislation will further solidify the integrity of our voting process in the years to come.”
Although the law won’t take effect until 60 days after the governor’s signature, effectively sparing the 2024 election cycle from its impact, the ACLU of New Hampshire has denounced it as an “anti-voting rights bill.” The organization previously argued that the legislation was unnecessary, as the state’s elections are already secure, accurate, and fair.
The New Hampshire Republican Party countered that the law is a necessary measure, drawing parallels with everyday situations that require identification. “You need to provide proof of citizenship or work authorization to work in the US,” the party noted on social media. “If teenagers can provide a birth certificate to get a job, young adults can do the same to register to vote.”
Democratic state Representative Angela Brennan, however, warned that the new law is unconstitutional and will likely lead to costly lawsuits. “This law, HB1569, is unconstitutional, and even Republican Senator Jim Gray agrees,” Brennan posted on social media. “Taxpayers can expect to foot the bill for extensive and expensive lawsuits.”
