A federal judge has ruled against a key provision of New Hampshire’s voter registration law, restoring the ability of eligible voters to use sworn affidavits when documentary proof of citizenship is not immediately available. The decision comes as election officials prepare for upcoming elections and continues a broader national debate over voter registration requirements and election administration policies.
The challenged law, signed in 2024 by former Governor Chris Sununu, required prospective voters to provide documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization records when registering to vote. The measure eliminated a previous option that allowed individuals to verify their citizenship through a signed affidavit under penalty of perjury.
Several voting rights organizations and New Hampshire residents filed legal challenges after the law took effect, arguing that some eligible voters may not have immediate access to the required documentation. The lawsuits were eventually combined into a single case before the federal court, where plaintiffs contended that the requirements created barriers to voter registration.
In her ruling, Judge Samantha Elliott concluded that sworn affidavits can serve as a legitimate method of verifying citizenship and that eliminating the option could prevent some eligible voters from successfully registering. The decision restores the affidavit process ahead of New Hampshire’s upcoming primary election.
State officials defended the law as a measure intended to strengthen election administration and maintain confidence in voter registration procedures. They also highlighted additional legislation signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte that allows election administrators to verify citizenship through state, federal, and interstate databases when physical documents are unavailable.
New Hampshire officials have indicated they plan to appeal the ruling. The case is part of a larger national discussion surrounding citizenship verification, voter registration standards, and election security. According to election policy tracking organizations, several states have recently adopted or expanded proof-of-citizenship requirements, while lawmakers in numerous other states continue to consider similar proposals.