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Voter Suppression Lawsuits
The New Hampshire Democratic Party is proud to defend the right of all eligible voters in New Hampshire to cast a ballot and we will continue to stand opposed to partisan, unconstitutional, and politically-motivated efforts to limit the electorate.
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SB3
On APRIL 9, 2020, a New Hampshire Superior Court Judge ruled that SB 3 is "unconstitutional for unreasonably burdening the right to vote and violating equal protection under the New Hampshire Constitution." This ruling is a huge win for voting rights in New Hampshire! The Court also found: 1) "voter fraud is virtually non-existent in this state," 2) the law "dissuade[s] people from attempting to vote," and 3) "the burdens imposed by the law are discriminatory, in addition to being unreasonable. You can read the full ruling here.
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Statement from NHDP Chair Ray Buckley:
"We're pleased that a third Superior Court judge has found that SB 3 is unconstitutional and that the citizens of New Hampshire will not be burdened with a long and confusing voter registration form in the elections this fall.
Chris Sununu and Donald Trump have fought hard to restrict the right to vote and rig elections to help the Republican Party, their special interest donors, and themselves, and today's ruling is a major defeat for the Sununu-Trump voter suppression agenda.
While today’s ruling is a significant step forward, there is still more work to do to make sure all eligible Granite Staters have the right to vote. The New Hampshire Democratic Party will work every day to continue to fight the Sununu-Trump voter suppression agenda and protect voting rights in the Granite State.”
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On OCTOBER 26, 2018, the New Hampshire Supreme Court issued a stay on the New Hampshire Superior Court ruling on SB3, keeping the voter registration forms in place for the 2018 election. We will remain vigilant in our efforts to educate voters prior to the election, and look forward to this case being resolved in the coming year.
ON OCTOBER 22, 2018, the Hillsborough Superior Court found that SB 3 places an unconstitutional burden on the right to vote. The Court found that the voter registration forms adopted by the Republican controlled legislature would result in longer lines and would have disparate impact on young people, highly mobile people, those of low socioeconomic status and Democratic voters.
Statement from NHDP Chair Ray Buckley:
“This injunction is a win for all eligible voters and sends a clear message that voter suppression tactics will not be tolerated in New Hampshire. Every qualified voter should be permitted to vote without unnecessary burdens imposed upon them. Now, let’s work together to make our voices are heard on November 6th and to ensure no such bill is a viable option in New Hampshire ever again."
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At the end of of 2017, the New Hampshire Democratic Party filed a lawsuit in Hillsborough County Superior Court to enjoin the law known as SB 3 from going into effect. SB 3 restricts the right to vote in New Hampshire in violation of both the New Hampshire Constitution and the United States Constitution.
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The lawsuit can be found here:
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HB1264
On February 27, 2019, the New Hampshire Democratic Party filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire challenging HB 1264, the voter restriction law that was signed into law by Governor Chris Sununu last spring. HB 1264 will require every person who registers to vote in New Hampshire and who has a driver’s license or car to obtain a New Hampshire driver’s license and register their car in New Hampshire at significant expense. Under this new law, if a voter fails to obtain a New Hampshire driver’s license or register their car within 60 days of registering to vote, they will be subject to criminal penalties.
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Here at the New Hampshire Democratic Party, we’ve long believed it is our responsibility to encourage folks to head to their polling locations on election days because we understand that every vote is valuable and every ballot cast matters.
Enshrined in our Party’s platform is this very philosophy: “We believe that voting is a right and responsibility and not a privilege.”
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This legislation, which Governor Sununu signed into law just last spring, threatens New Hampshire’s electoral integrity. Our argument is threefold:
1. HB 1264 violates the First and Fourteenth Amendment, which prohibit severe burdens on the right to vote.
2. HB 1264 imposes restrictions that specifically target young New Hampshire voters, who historically vote Democratic, and who are guaranteed the right to vote under the Twenty-Sixth Amendment.
3. HB 1264 violates the Twenty-Fourth Amendment by establishing what is essentially a poll tax for those seeking to register to vote.
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We are fighting for everyone to vote. To support our legal fund, click here.
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