The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Oct. 12, 2026
Written & Produced by:
October 11, 2026 11:44 amCONCORD, NH –Since 2012, voting-eligible New Hampshire students have been able to use an official high school or college photo ID to vote, with few issues. In June, the legislature eliminated school-issued photo IDs to obtain a ballot, but that law has been partially blocked in federal court. The state has appealed.
HB 323 eliminated student IDs for voting, but not explicitly for registering to vote. After passage, the New Hampshire secretary of state issued guidance to election officials, stating, QUOTE, “student IDs cannot be used as proof of ID when registering to vote, requesting an absentee ballot, or checking in to vote in an election.”
In August, the Coalition for Open Democracy* sued to block the bill, arguing it burdened voters under 1st and 14th Amendments, discriminated against young voters, and that the Secretary of State’s guidance exceeded the bounds of the law.
Federal District Judge Joseph LaPlant denied a stay Sept. 1st, ruling it was too close to the primary, but his Oct. 2nd ruling, found that while banning student IDs didn’t violate the U.S. Constitution, HB 323 did not forbid election officials from using student ID as “safety valve” documentation if the student has proven age, domicile and citizenship.
So for now, students may register to vote using a student ID, but October 6th, the NH Secretary of State appealed to the First Circuit.
We’ll keep you updated at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources
NH PBS – How will new ban on student IDs for voting affect New Hampshire elections?
NH General Court – Text of HB 323
Coalition for Open Democracy* – (via Democracy Docket) Complaint in Coalition for Open Democracy v. David Scanlon
U.S. District Court for New Hampshire – (via Democracy Docket) Sept. 1 Order Denying an Injunction for HB 323
U.S. District Court for New Hampshire – Oct. 2 Order with Partial Injunction
NH Secretary of State’s Office – Secretary of State requests a stay of the court order on the use of student IDs
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – (April) NH’s GOP Governor Signs Bill Eliminating Student IDs as Voter ID, a Long Sought-After Tool to Make It Harder for Students to Vote
American Democracy Minute – (2023) Eliminating College IDs Isn’t the Only Tactic to Stop Students from Voting. Just Ask New Hampshire.
Groups Taking Action:
Coalition for Open Democracy, New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights, League of Women Voters NH
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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*Host Brian Beihl is a former deputy director of the Coalition for Open Democracy
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