In response to the passing of House Bill 323, which bars the use of student IDs as legal identification to vote in elections, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) hosted a press call early Friday morning to raise student awareness and discuss how this bill will directly impact NH students.
HB323, signed into law by New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte in early April, requires “the presentation of a government-issued photographic means of identification in order to vote.” Previously, a valid student identification card issued by a New Hampshire college, university, public, or private school could serve as valid identification to obtain a ballot.
“I’m very concerned about the voter ID laws that have been passed in New Hampshire and how they’re going to affect the upcoming election,” said Shaheen. “I think these are very important elections, regardless of what side you’re on, and it’s important that we make sure that students understand what they need to vote so they’re not disenfranchised.”
This bill, along with House Bill 1569, which Governor Sununu signed into law in 2024, has raised barriers to voting access, particularly for those with limited or no access to additional forms of identification, such as driver’s licenses or birth certificates.
Similar legislation was passed in the House and received in the Senate on April 10. The SAVE Act aims to enact stricter voting access laws, requiring individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote.
Congressman Chris Pappas will also be hosting a Pop-Up Passport Fair at the University of New Hampshire on April 29 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Memorial Union Building (MUB). The purpose of the event is to assist first district constituents with the passport application or renewal process. More information on required materials and how to sign up is available here.
The New Hampshire Pocket Voting Guide is an additional voting resource for students.
