New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) has signed a new law requiring voters to present photo ID and proof of citizenship, but the measure will not take effect until after the 2024 election. The bill, passed by the Republican-majority legislature, is designed to enhance voter integrity by mandating stricter identification rules for voter registration and ballot casting.
The law, set to take effect six days after this year’s general election, requires proof of citizenship to register and a valid photo ID to vote. If a voter cannot produce an ID, their qualifications will be reviewed by election supervisors, who will have the final say on whether they can vote. Current rules allow voters to sign an affidavit in lieu of presenting an ID at the polls, but the new law aims to tighten those procedures.
Hans von Spakovsky, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, praised the bill, calling it “necessary” given New Hampshire’s same-day registration policy. However, he noted that implementing it before this election would have been too difficult given the timing of its passage. Republican State Senate President Jeb Bradley explained that a 60-day delay ensures no confusion between rules for the primary and general elections.
Democrats and left-wing groups like the ACLU oppose the law, arguing it could disenfranchise those unable to obtain the necessary documents. Gov. Sununu dismissed these concerns as “fearmongering,” emphasizing that documentation is a routine requirement for most aspects of modern life.
The bill will take effect on Nov. 11, 2024, after the election, setting the stage for stricter voting rules in the years to come.
