HB 1569 Status – Struck Down by a Coalition of Voting Rights Groups

Voting laws in New Hampshire have changed a lot over the past two years, and it's important every voter understands how these changes affect them at registration and on Election Day.

You may have heard that HB 1569 was struck down in part by a federal court. Thanks to a coalition of voting rights groups, you can once again sign a qualified voter affidavit attesting to your citizenship. You do not need to bring documentary proof of citizenship (a birth certificate, and for some, name-change documents) to register. The affidavit itself, sworn under penalty of prosecution, is your proof of citizenship.

Keep in mind, you will still need to bring documentary proof of age, identity, and domicile (where you live) to register, and a state-issued ID (student IDs are no longer allowed) with you to the polls.

If you have citizenship documents, it's still worth bringing them: the state now conducts random citizenship audits of voters who registered using an affidavit. But if you don't have them in hand, don't let that stop you, as a U.S. citizen, you can still vote.

Mark your calendar: the state primary is September 8, and the general election is November 3.