New Hampshire Voter I.D. Law

New Hampshire’s “First in the Nation” presidential primary is next Tuesday.  It will be New Hampshire’s first ballotpresidential primary election under the new voter identification laws first enacted in 2012.  There will also be some new procedures in place for the first time ever.  Here’s what you need to know:

  • All voters must present an acceptable photo ID card (though there are exceptions, see below).
  • Acceptable photo IDs include driver’s licenses, non-driver N.H. DMV cards, military ID, U.S. passport, and N.H. student ID cards (with photos). For a full list, visit the N.H. Secretary of State’s website.
  • Any ID must have an expiration date, and cannot be expired.
  • The only exception is for voters 65 or older, in which case photo IDs (such as a driver’s license) will still be valid even if expired.
  • If you don’t have an acceptable ID with you: You will still be permitted to vote after signing a “challenged voter affidavit.”
  • Under changes that went into effect in 2015, any voter filling out a “challenged voter affidavit” will also have their photograph taken (with some religious exceptions).
  • If you are required to fill out a challenged voter affidavit, you will receive a “verification letter” from the N.H. Secretary of State after the election, which must be returned to confirm that you voted.  If it is not returned, the state will conduct an investigation for voter fraud.
  • Voter fraud penalties can be up to 30 days in prison for a first offense.

If you’re interested in reading the full statute, you can find it here.  If you have questions about whether a particular ID is acceptable, call the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s office.

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