603 Forward Sounds Alarm on Bills Gutting Absentee Voting
Secretary Scanlan admits HB1569 is based on “perception,” yet stays silent as SB287 threatens Granite Staters access to absentee voting.
CONCORD, NH — After more than 100 voters were turned away during town meetings this spring due to the restrictive new requirements from HB 1569 (2024), 603 Forward is sounding the alarm ahead of the House vote on SB 287 — another dangerous proposal that will destroy absentee voting and to further restrict the right to vote in New Hampshire.
“Granite Staters want secure, accessible elections, not more barriers to the ballot box,” said 603 Forward Program Director, Matt Mooshian. “If this bill passes, it will seriously restrict access to absentee voting and continue our state’s shameful pattern of legislation that makes it harder for voters—especially young people, disabled voters, and working families—to cast their ballots. This is about politicians deciding who gets to be part of our democracy, it’s voter suppression.”
SB 287 is the latest in a pattern of legislation that makes it harder to vote, rooted in fear rather than facts. Since HB 1569 became law, 20-30% of Granite Staters at town meetings have already been blocked from registering and voting due to new bureaucratic hurdles. Even Secretary of State David Scanlan recently admitted that these laws are “reacting to perceptions,” not real problems.
Yet despite acknowledging this, Secretary Scanlan continues to stay silent—or even lend support—as bills like SB 287 advance. There’s no evidence of widespread absentee voter fraud in New Hampshire, but this bill would create new, unnecessary barriers for the nearly 100,000 Granite Staters who voted absentee in 2024, and anyone who needs to vote absentee in the future.
At a recent event hosted by VoteBeat called “Checking Citizenship: A conversation with two secretaries of state,” Secretary Scanlan said that laws like HB 1569 are reactions to perceptions when asked why the new law was implemented in New Hampshire.
BACKGROUND
HB1569, signed into law by then-Governor Sununu and in effect since November 11, 2024, removes the affidavit process and requires all voters to provide a photo ID to check into vote. Additionally, voters must now provide proof of identity, age, domicile, and citizenship when they register to vote. This includes presenting a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers, as well as name change documentation if their name on their citizenship proof differs from their voter registration.
Voting rights advocates previously expressed concerns about the potential disenfranchisement resulting from then House Bill 1569, directly confronting Secretary of State David Scanlan to oppose the restrictive legislation and advise then-Governor Chris Sununu to veto it.
The recent town elections highlighted the law's impact, with numerous voters facing challenges due to the stringent documentation requirements. Many were forced to make multiple trips to obtain necessary documents, such as passports or birth certificates, to exercise their right to vote.
603 Forward envisions a thriving New Hampshire where people are free to live, work and raise a family. In our New Hampshire: democracy is protected above all else; young people have a voice in government at all levels; and policy changes to help build an inclusive, affordable and resilient state.
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