Youth Voting Group Sues to Block New Hampshire’s Proof of Citizenship Law
A youth voting group filed a lawsuit Tuesday to block New Hampshire’s proof of citizenship law that will take effect after the November election.
The New Hampshire Youth Movement sued Secretary of State David Scanlan (R) over House Bill 1569, which Gov. Chris Sununu (R) signed into law Thursday.
This is the third voting and election lawsuit filed in New Hampshire this cycle. Sign up for our free newsletters so you never miss a new lawsuit or court decision that could impact who takes the White House this fall.
The law, which will go into effect after the 2024 general election, requires voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship — like a birth certificate, passport or naturalization papers — to register to vote or cast a ballot.
This replaces the current standard that allows those who register to vote at the polls but don’t have citizenship documents with them to sign an affidavit confirming they are a U.S. citizen and cast a regular ballot.
Under the state’s new law, this will not be allowed anymore. This change could disenfranchise numerous voters in future elections who don’t have documentary proof of citizenship and would’ve registered in person on Election Day.
The pro-voting group argues that the new proof of citizenship requirement in H.B. 1569 threatens people’s voting rights, violating the First and 14th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. The group asked a court to strike down the requirement and block Scanlan and other election officials from enforcing it.
Scanlan has not yet responded to the lawsuit.