Victory for Granite Staters: Court Strikes Down Documentary Proof of Citizenship Requirement as Unconstitutional Burden on the Right to Vote
For Immediate Release:
May 29, 2026
Contact: Lisa Kovack
603 661 6141
Victory for Granite Staters: Court Strikes Down Documentary Proof of Citizenship Requirement as Unconstitutional Burden on the Right to Vote
Concord, N.H. — Today, a federal judge struck down the documentary proof of citizenship provisions in House Bill 1569, ruling it an unjustifiable burden on the right to vote and unconstitutional. The New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights released the below statement celebrating the decision.
Statement from Lisa Kovack, Director, New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights:
“Today is a great day for democracy in New Hampshire. The NH Campaign for Voting Rights is overjoyed by this ruling. Time and again, our analysis and that of our partners showed this law turned away hundreds of eligible Granite Staters at the polls – new voters, young people just turning 18, women whose names changed after marriage, and long-time residents who simply did not have the right document on hand. These are our neighbors and fellow citizens, and today the court affirmed that their votes matter and their voices must be heard.
“This is a victory for democracy in New Hampshire. But it is not the end of this fight and we will continue working to ensure every eligible voter can fully participate in our democracy.
“Americans have faced attacks on the ballot before – poll taxes, literacy tests, a new obstacle introduced every time too many of the ‘wrong’ people showed up to vote. Every time, Americans have fought back and won. Today, we won again, in partnership with the ACLU and the dozens of people and organizations that stood up against this overreach.
“The constitutional right to vote is the foundation of American democracy. It is the one moment when a retail worker and a CEO stand on completely equal ground, carrying the exact same weight. In an era of growing inequality, where money and power too often set the agenda, the ballot box is where the playing field is leveled – and today’s ruling protects that equality. HB 1569 was designed to shrink the electorate, not to protect it. It was built on fear, not fact. As leaders of both parties in NH have said for years, New Hampshire’s elections are already secure. Today, the court agreed: this law was never necessary, and it was never constitutional.”
Celebrate and Keep the Momentum Going
This ruling is a win for every Granite Stater. Here’s how you can help us build on this victory:
Check Your Registration. Go to app.sos.nh.gov/voterinformation to confirm you are registered and your address is current. Do it today.
Ensure You Have the Documents you Need. Voters are still required to provide a government-issued ID and proof of address when registering to vote, as well as a government-issued ID when casting a ballot.
Become a Poll Worker. Sign up through your town or city clerk.
Show Up. Make sure to vote! Today's ruling ensures your ballot counts. The NH Campaign for Voting Rights and our coalition partners will continue working to ensure that every eligible voter can freely and fully participate in our democracy.
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The New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights is a coalition of state and national advocacy organizations, voters, attorneys and watchdog organizations working to ensure and preserve the right to vote for every eligible Granite Stater, and is a project of America Votes New Hampshire.
