New Hampshire Citizenship Requirement Challenge

Lawsuit filed by New Hampshire Youth Movement (NHYM) against New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan (R) challenging the state’s new law requiring proof of citizenship for voting. House Bill 1569, which will take effect after the 2024 general election, requires voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship — e.g. a birth certificate, passport or naturalization papers — in order to register to vote or cast a ballot. NHYM alleges that this requirement would replace the existing sworn statement New Hampshire voters must sign as proof of citizenship with a more demanding requirement that could leave many voters unable to vote, particularly if they plan to participate in the state’s same-day voter registration and arrive at the polls on Election Day without documentary proof of citizenship. NHYM argues that the requirement unfairly burdens the right to vote in violation of the First and 14th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. NHYM asks the court to strike down the requirement as unconstitutional and block the secretary of state and other election officials from enforcing it.

STATUS: NHYM filed its lawsuit on Sept. 17, 2024. Scanlan has not responded yet. One motion is pending before the district court.

Last updated: December 20, 2024 3:39 pm EST