In Milford, New Hampshire, a voter missed out on approving the town’s $19 million operating budget, electing a cemetery trustee, and purchasing a new dump truck. Similarly, in Durham, an 18-year-old high school student was unable to participate in decisions regarding the school board and the allocation of $125,000 for replacing artificial turf on athletic fields. These individuals, along with many others, were unable to participate in recent town elections in New Hampshire due to a new state law mandating proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration. The experiences of these individuals, as shared by town clerks, could serve as a lesson as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act advances in Congress and several states consider similar legislation.
Experts like Greta Bedekovics from the Center for American Progress highlight that the challenges faced in New Hampshire could potentially echo on a national scale under the SAVE Act. Concerns have been raised by voting rights groups, especially regarding hurdles faced by married women who have changed their names. For example, Brooke Yonge, a hairstylist, encountered difficulties at her polling place in Derry when her birth certificate did not match the name on her driver’s license. Despite the inconvenience, Yonge found the registration requirements reasonable and complied by retrieving her marriage license to prove her name change.
The state of New Hampshire allows voters to register on the day of an election, yet at least 56 individuals statewide were turned away during the March 11 town elections for lack of proof of citizenship. Derry’s town clerk, Tina Guilford, expressed concern about the potential impact on voter turnout during a higher-stakes November general election. Instances of disenfranchisement, particularly affecting women, have been observed, such as an older woman in Milford who did not return to register due to difficulties in retrieving marriage documentation.
At the national level, legislation requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration passed in the U.S. House last year but faced obstacles in the Senate. With Republicans now holding sway in Congress, the issue is expected to resurface soon. Prior to the 2024 election, former President Donald Trump made baseless claims about noncitizens influencing election outcomes through voting, despite evidence showing such occurrences to be rare and often accidental.
Republicans argue that even a small number of noncitizens voting can damage public confidence in elections. In New Hampshire, the majority of voters in the 2024 election supported a new law that requires individuals to show proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, when registering to vote. This requirement was backed by a significant portion of both Trump and Harris voters.
During recent town hall elections, voter Michael Appleton had to retrieve his birth certificate to register and vote, but he did not criticize the new law, stating that it was not unreasonable. Republican state Rep. Bob Lynn, who sponsored the law, believes that the citizenship requirements are not overly burdensome and are necessary to ensure the integrity of the voting process.
New Hampshire is among eight states with laws mandating documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration, and similar legislation is being considered in 17 other states. However, some states that have implemented such requirements have faced challenges. For instance, an audit in Arizona revealed issues with data handling related to citizenship verification, while Kansas’ proof of citizenship law was overturned due to legal challenges.
In Texas, lawmakers are proposing a bill that would expand on federal requirements by mandating proof of citizenship for voter registration and verifying the citizenship status of registered voters. If citizenship cannot be confirmed, individuals may only vote in congressional elections.
Despite facing legal challenges, New Hampshire lawmakers are exploring additional changes to the law. A proposed bill would provide vouchers for indigent voters to obtain birth certificates and require the secretary of state to make efforts to verify citizenship for individuals who are unable to provide documentation. Critics have raised concerns about the potential impact of asking voters to declare themselves as poor.
“If a bill is to be passed, it should be able to withstand legal challenges and provide effective solutions. According to Democratic Rep. Connie Lane, this bill falls short on both accounts,” stated Lane.
During the recent town hall elections in Durham, voting at the high school includes civics class students observing the process. According to town clerk Rachel Deane, a student who was eligible to vote struggled to register due to a lack of citizenship documents.
Deane praised the supervisors of the voter checklist in Durham for supporting the student through the registration process and encouraging them to return if needed. However, as of now, the student has not revisited the registration process.
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Reporting was done by Casey in Derry, New Hampshire, and Cassidy in Atlanta. Associated Press Polling Director Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux in Washington contributed to this report.
