The Supreme Court let New Hampshire bar student IDs as voter identification in the midterms
The Supreme Court paused a federal judge’s ruling Thursday, allowing New Hampshire to enforce its student-ID voting ban in the midterms. SCOTUSblog said the unsigned order invoked election timing; Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented. New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan had directed local officials not to accept student IDs, including under the safety-valve process.
More context
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday cleared New Hampshire to enforce its ban on student IDs as voter identification in the midterm elections, pausing a federal judge’s ruling, SCOTUSblog reported. In a brief, unsigned order, the justices cited the principle that lower federal courts should ordinarily not alter election rules close to an election. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented.
New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed HB 323 in April, ending student IDs as an accepted form of identification for obtaining a ballot, Democracy Docket reported. Secretary of State David Scanlan then directed local election officials not to accept student IDs under the state’s safety-valve process for proving identity, the outlet said. Students who arrive with only a student ID could therefore be unable to vote, Democracy Docket reported.
Was this story useful?
What was the main problem? (optional)
Reporting
- wjactv.com — Supreme Court blocks use of student IDs to vote in New Hampshire
- SCOTUSblog — The interim docket remains active | SCOTUSblog
- Democracy Docket — New Hampshire students face disenfranchisement after Supreme Court greenlights ban on their IDs - Democracy Docket
- Soo Leader — The Latest: Trump administration sues to block possible Democratic win in Alaska Senate race
Verifier’s note
The reports say the Supreme Court cleared New Hampshire to bar student IDs as voter identification for the midterms, matching the proposed event. The ruling was reported on October 23, within the stated timeframe.