The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for July 9, 2025
New Mexico rolled out its automatic voter registration system July 1st, allowing citizens to conveniently register to vote or change residency information while at the DMV. Across the country, New Hampshire’s legislature may burden its elderly and disabled absentee voters by requiring copies of ID when voting by mail, and citizenship papers when registering by mail.
New Mexico passed a sweeping voting rights bill, HB 4, in 2023. Among its provisions was automatically registering citizens to vote at the Motor Vehicle Division, previously only an option. AVR has been successful in other states in registering younger voters, and may expand registrations of the state’s Native voters as well. Local election officials will send newly registered voters their voting districts and precincts, and how to opt out if they choose.
New Hampshire, despite having next to no fraud, abuse or noncitizen voting, has gone the other direction. Legislators sent bills to Governor Kelly Ayotte mandating proof of citizenship be sent with absentee registrations, and that absentee voters include copies of an approved ID or have their signature notarized. Such onerous rules adversely affect seniors and disabled voters who may be able to make copies, and younger voters and college students, who may not have ready access to those documents.
Voter fraud and noncitizen voting are extremely rare, and such rules serve to keep more eligible voters from voting than ineligible ones.
We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
New Mexico Motor Vehicles Department – Automatic Voter Registrations
KOAT – Automatic voter registration now in effect in New Mexico
Institute for Responsive Government – Four States Open the Door to Automatic Voter Registration for Native Americans
Alliance for Youth Action – FACT SHEET: Automatic Voter Registration Transforms Oregon Youth Registration & Turnout Rates
New Hampshire Bulletin – Lawmakers push for yearly voter roll reviews, stricter absentee ballot verification
Campaign Legal Center – The Barriers to Voting Faced by Americans with Disabilities
American Democracy Minute – Voter Suppression Bills Aimed at College Students Pushed (Again) by the NH Legislature
PBS – Noncitizen voting is extremely rare, yet Republicans are making it a major election concern
Groups Taking Action:
Disability Rights Center NH, Open Democracy, NM Native Vote, ACLU New Mexico
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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