The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for June 2, 2026
A federal judge ruled May 28th that New Hampshire’s 2024 proof of citizenship law intended to stop a microscopic noncitizen voting and voter fraud threat created a significant burden to eligible voters and violated the U.S. Constitution. It’s the first such law to be tested.
Prior to HB 1569, New Hampshire required citizenship information at registration, but allowed eligible voters who didn’t bring a birth certificate or U.S. Passport to legally attest to citizenship using a “qualified voter affidavit.” HB 1569 repealed the affidavit, and required documentary proof, often not readily available or affordable to many voters.
Expert testimony in the case found that between 1998 to 2024, only EIGHT noncitizens may have cast a ballot, resulting in a 0.00031% rate of noncitizen voting. Five of those voters were registered through a poll worker’s error, not fraud by the noncitizen.
In comparison, over 10% of voter registrations from April to November 2024 used the qualified voter affidavit to attest citizenship, almost 15,000 voters. Almost 6,000 were younger voters.
In a 98-page opinion, Judge Samantha D. Elliott ruled that the repeal of the qualified voter affidavit created a burden for those voters under the 1st and 14th amendments. While the ruling is specific to New Hampshire, it may be a blueprint for challenges nationwide.
We’ve linked to the decision at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
U.S. District Court for NH (via New Hampshire Bulletin – Decision in Coalition for Open Democracy v. Scanlan, NH Youth Movement v. ScanlanNew Hampshire Bulletin – Ahead of midterms, federal court strikes down NH proof-of-citizenship voter registration law
New Hampshire Public Radio – Judge strikes down NH’s ‘proof of citizenship’ voting law
NH Secretary of State – Secretary of State David Scanlan Issues Statement Following District Court’s Ruling on HB 1569
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – (Feb. 2026) Proof of Citizenship: Trial Begins on Strict NH Law; FL Bill Advances; VA Bill Ends Voter Roll Searches for Registered Noncitizens 90 Days Before the Election
American Democracy Minute – (June 2024) NH Voter Suppression Bill Eliminates Sworn Affidavits for Voter Registration, Demanding Citizenship Documents for Otherwise Qualified Voters. It Could Disenfranchise Thousands.
Groups Taking Action:
Coalition for Open Democracy, ACLU NH, NH Youth Movement
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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