NH: Judge allows DNC's lawsuit over affidavit ballots to continue over state's objection

A state superior court judge is allowing the Democratic National Committee’s lawsuit against the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s office to proceed, ruling that a newly implemented affidavit ballot system backed by Republicans could negatively impact some qualified voters.

Two previous lawsuits brought by voter advocacy groups and the ACLU of New Hampshire challenging the constitutionality of the same law, SB 418, which took effect in January 2023, were dismissed on procedural grounds. Those cases are now on appeal to the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

Under the law, which was backed by Republicans and signed by Gov. Chris Sununu, first-time New Hampshire voters who register at their polling locations without identification are able to cast provisional numbered ballots. The would-be voter is then given seven days to mail necessary documents to the Secretary of State’s office to prove their eligibility. If that paperwork is not received in time, the city or town is notified and required to pull the marked ballots from totals, and amend the final election results.

Republicans argued the change was necessary to prevent illegal voting in state elections. Under the previous law, voters were able to sign an affidavit swearing to their eligibility, with potential legal penalties for fraudulent voting. Even if criminal charges were subsequently filed for wrongful voting, however, those votes would remain in the final tallies.





https://www.nhbr.com/judge-allows-dncs-lawsuit-over-affidavit-ballots-to-continue-over-states-objection/