The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for May 22, 2025
The New Hampshire Senate killed a bill requiring absentee voters to include copies of citizenship documents when requesting and returning absentee ballots. In a separate court case in April, voters challenged the state’s proof of citizenship law for in-person registration.
For decades, a prospective New Hampshire voter could provide documents to prove domicile and U.S. citizenship when registering to vote, or, when those documents weren’t available, use a sworn affidavit under penalty of fines or imprisonment. Under that system, there has never been any evidence of widespread illegal or noncitizen voting in New Hampshire.
Then in 2024, New Hampshire became one of the first states to further restrict its proof of citizenship rules. It ended use of affidavits entirely, requiring voters to provide a documentary birth certificate, U.S. Passport, naturalization papers or other documents proving citizenship to register. No documents, no voting.
HB 217 went even further, requiring absentee ballot users, including nursing home and homebound voters, to provide those documents with their absentee requests and ballots. Fortunately for Grandma, and the 1 in 9 Americans who don’t have access to those documents, the bill was killed May 15th.
April 23rd, arguments by pro-voter groups and voters were heard in federal district court in an effort to strike down the 2024 proof of citizenship law, after dozens were turned away in local elections earlier this year.
We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
NH Secretary of State – REGISTERING TO VOTE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
NHPR – Federal judge hears arguments over NH’s proof of citizenship voting law
Associated Press – New Hampshire town elections offer a preview of citizenship voting rules being considered nationwide
NH Legislature via LegiScan – Text of HB 217, killed by the NH Senate
New Hampshire Bulletin – Senate advances anti-sanctuary city bills, but stops short on other House priorities
Groups Taking Action:
Coalition for Open Democracy, League of Women Voters NH, ACLU NH
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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