New Hampshire

ACLU seeks to block New Hampshire voter identification law

Published

1 year ago

October 1, 2024

ACLU seeks to block New Hampshire voter identification law

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Hampshire filed a complaint for injunctive and declaratory relief in the US District Court for the District of New Hampshire on Monday challenging the state’s new voter identification law.

The legal action targets legislation requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration and photo identification for casting ballots. The ACLU contends that the law’s strict requirements could disenfranchise numerous eligible voters, particularly those from marginalized communities who may face difficulties obtaining the necessary documentation. Additionally, the plaintiffs cite a 2018 federal court ruling that invalidated a similar law in Kansas, which required proof of citizenship for state and federal elections. That law was found to violate both the US Constitution and the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of several organizations including the Coalition for Democracy, League of Voters for New Hampshire, and the Forward Foundation, as well as five individual voters. New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella and Secretary of State David Scanlan are named as defendants, reflecting ongoing debates about the balance between election security measures and ensuring broad access to voting rights.

Henry Klementowicz, deputy legal director for the ACLU of New Hampshire, stated that laws creating “unconstitutional roadblocks to voting” should not be permitted, as they may prevent thousands of eligible individuals from casting their ballots. Meanwhile, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s office has acknowledged receipt of the ACLU’s lawsuit in a statement made to local news but has refrained from further comment.

The lawsuit reflects a larger national trend toward legal challenges to voter ID laws in the US. In March, a federal judge in Arizona upheld two state laws that require voters to provide documentation to prove their citizenship before registering to vote. A conflicting precedent struck down the laws, with the Supreme Court refusing to listen to an appeal in December 2020. At the federal level, Republican lawmakers are pushing for similar legislation, including the proposed SAVE Act, which aims to implement a nationwide proof-of-citizenship requirement for voting. The outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for voter identification laws, potentially shaping the landscape of voting rights and electoral participation in future elections.

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New Hampshire

New photo released in unsolved 1997 homicide of a N.H. woman

Published

4 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

New photo released in unsolved 1997 homicide of a N.H. woman

Local News

“Our family wants to know what happened, who did this and why,” said the family of the victim.

A new photo has been released of the victim in a nearly 30-year-long unsolved murder case, in the hope of finding any new potential witnesses in the cold case, New Hampshire officials said.

“Our family wants to know what happened, who did this and why,” the family of Rosalie Miller said in a press release. “We miss her and want to give her peace.”

Miller was last seen on December 8, 1996 at her apartment in Manchester. At the time of her disappearance, Miller had plans on meeting friends in the Auburn, New Hampshire area, officials said.

Her body was found on January 20, 1997 in a partially wooded spot on a residential lot along the Londonderry Turnpike in Auburn, officials said in the release.

The autopsy report declared Miller’s death a homicide by asphyxiation due to ligature strangulation, N.H. officials wrote.

As part of a new effort to garner public help with the case, an “uncirculated” photo of Miller, 36, is being distributed “in hopes it may jog the memory of someone who saw or spoke with her in the winter of 1996,” Attorney General John M. Formella and New Hampshire State Police Colonel Mark B. Hall announced on behalf of the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit in a joint press release.

Investigators are especially hoping to talk to anyone who was in contact with Miller in December of 1996 or anyone “who may have seen her in the vicinity of the Londonderry Turnpike in Auburn during that time,” officials said in the release.

The newly released photo of Rosalie Miller, 36, who was strangled to death nearly 30 years ago. – Attorney General John M. Formella and New Hampshire State Police Colonel Mark B. Hall

“We are releasing this new photograph today because we believe someone out there has information, perhaps a detail they thought was insignificant at the time, that could be the key to solving this case and bringing justice for Rosalie and those who loved her,” Senior Assistant Attorney General R. Christopher Knowles, New Hampshire Cold Case Unit Chief said in the release.

The New Hampshire Cold Case Unit encourages anyone with any amount of information to contact the group at [email protected] or (603) 271-2663.

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New Hampshire

Former president of NH-based charity sentenced after stealing $350K

Published

16 hours ago

March 1, 2026

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Former president of NH-based charity sentenced after stealing 0K

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New Hampshire

Mass. man struck by car, seriously injured on I-93 in Londonderry, NH

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Mass. man struck by car, seriously injured on I-93 in Londonderry, NH

A Massachusetts man was flown to the hospital after he was struck by a car when he stepped out of his vehicle in the breakdown lane of Interstate 93 in Londonderry, New Hampshire, on Saturday morning.

State police say 40-year-old Felix Matos Medina, of Lawrence, had stopped on the right side of I-93 south at Exit 5 just before 11 a.m. to investigate a possible mechanical issue. He was struck shortly after he stepped out of his vehicle by a Chevrolet Malibu and sustained serious injuries.

Medina was taken by medical helicopter to Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, Mass., police said. There was no immediate update on his condition.

I-93 southbound was closed near Exit 5 for about 30 minutes to facilitate the medical helicopter’s landing. One lane remained closed for several hours to accommodate crash reconstruction and on-scene investigation.

The driver who struck Medina, identified as David Jodoin, stopped at the scene and is cooperating with investigators, according to police. No charges have been filed at this time, but all aspects of the crash remain under investigation at this time.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Trooper Evan Puopolo at 603-451-9784.

State police are also reminding all New Hampshire drivers that Sherrill’s Law requires motorists approaching a stopped vehicle displaying warning signals to slow down and give plenty of space. Drivers are also required to move out of partially or wholly blocked lanes when it’s safe to do so.

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