A superior court judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a group of visually impaired New Hampshire voters who argued a newly passed absentee voter law violates the state constitution.

In a lawsuit filed this summer, the plaintiffs alleged the measure, which was backed by state Republicans, places a disproportionate burden on people with disabilities by making it harder to vote.

On Friday, New Hampshire Superior Court Judge David Ruoff dismissed the case, ruling that the new policies are reasonable.

The new law requires people requesting an absentee ballot to prove their identity in one of three ways: either mail in a photocopy of an ID, along with their ballot application; have their ballot application notarized; or show an ID at town hall prior to an election.

In his opinion, Ruoff said, “The identification requirements impose ordinary burdens on all absentee voters, and the possibility that it may cause additional burden on a subset of absentee voters does not render the entire statute unconstitutional.”

It isn’t clear if the plaintiffs will appeal the ruling to the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

“We appreciate the Court’s recognition that the identification requirements for absentee voters are reasonable, constitutional, and consistent with New Hampshire’s long-standing election practices,” said New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella, who defended the law in court.

New Hampshire residents who vote in person are already required to show an ID at the polls when requesting a ballot. Supporters of the new law say the same safeguards should be in place for those voters who request an absentee ballot.

Despite some angst that the Trump Administration might vaporize the money, funds are coming to New Hampshire to expand broadband internet access throughout the state, although the amount isn’t what was originally allocated.

The recently announced funding is $18.6 million, significantly less than the original $196.5 million.

The news was, nevertheless, greeted with bipartisan enthusiasm.

“New Hampshire is proud to be No. 1 in the nation for internet connectivity, and this new federal funding we have secured will help us reach our goal of delivering reliable broadband access to everyone in our state,” Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte said in a statement.

“Having worked on the broadband provisions in the bipartisan infrastructure law, I know how important internet connectivity is for small businesses to grow and compete, for students to learn and thrive and for those in remote areas to access health care,” said Democratic U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.

The broadband funding is $18.6 million. It comes from the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program (BEAD), part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, bipartisan legislation passed and enacted during the President Joe Biden administration.

Originally, the state was slated to get $196.5 million from BEAD for 9,527 locations across the state, especially in rural areas where access to broadband internet can be difficult because of distance, terrain and lack of infrastructure.

With the arrival of Donald Trump in the White House, given his disdain for the Infrastructure Act, he signed an executive order that paused a disbursement of all funds related to the bill, pending a review by his new administration.

Subsequent policy changes from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, worried the state’s Democratic congressional delegation that the changes could derail the disbursement of the state’s $191 million in BEAD funds.

“The administration has now removed discretion from state and local communities, instead requiring that BEAD funds be allocated solely to the lowest-cost projects — even if those projects deliver extremely low-quality internet service to rural areas. This change is especially harmful to rural Granite Staters, who may now be limited to slow, weather-dependent internet,” the delegation wrote in August to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.

And, indeed, the changes meant that the $191 million originally slated for the Granite State had been trimmed to the newly announced $18.6 million, reducing the new broadband locations from 9,527 to 5,250.

The Trump Administration saw the policy changes as a means to distribute the money in a more cost-effective manner. That was recognized by the administration with the completion of the state’s application process for the funds.

“Congratulations to New Hampshire for getting their BEAD Final Proposal over the finish line,” said U.S. Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth. “The state’s commitment to cutting excessive costs and technology diversity resulted in a strong deployment plan that will achieve universal connectivity across the Granite State.” Roth’s statement was provided by the governor’s office.

The state’s approved plan accelerates the timeline for implementation, with the hope that the state will be fully broadband wired by the end of next year.

The state’s proposal for upgrades includes a mix of coax, fiber, and satellite connections provided by Comcast, Consolidated Communications, New Hampshire Electric Co-op, and SpaceX.

Contracts for the work still have to be approved by the governor’s Executive Council.

Congressional Democrats at least seem happy that they got what they could get. And everyone seems to be putting a happy face on the news of the reduced funding.

“Everyone deserves access to high-speed, reliable internet no matter where they live,” said U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan. “I worked with my colleagues to negotiate and pass the bipartisan infrastructure law to help expand access to reliable internet, and am glad to see our state one step closer to ensuring that everyone has access to broadband. I will continue to push for federal funding that supports Granite state families and small businesses and ensures that communities across our state, including in rural areas, can grow and thrive.”

“Under the bipartisan infrastructure law, Congress worked together to approve critical investments that are making our communities safer, stronger, and more prosperous. Access to high-speed internet is a necessity for every city and town, and it helps businesses compete, ensures students can learn, and allows patients to see a provider. This funding should never have been threatened or delayed, and I’m relieved that it will soon be delivered to New Hampshire,” said 1st District U.S. Rep. Christopher Pappas. “I will continue working to secure resources that modernize our infrastructure and improve Granite Staters’ quality of life.”

“Access to reliable, high-speed internet is not a luxury. It is a lifeline and economic driver for hardworking families, small businesses, farmers, and rural communities across our state,” said 2nd District U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander. “I look forward to seeing these federal dollars put to work quickly and effectively to deliver for New Hampshire.”

Ayotte pointed to a recent report that shows New Hampshire is the No. 1 internet connected state in the country.

Reviews.org used census data and reported in October that 95.37% of all households in the Granite State are connected to the internet.

“Expanding broadband will help keep our communities safe, grow our economy, improve access to health care in our rural communities, and more. I thank the Department of Commerce for helping us continue to get more Granite Staters connected,” Ayotte said in her statement.

The state’s broadband application process and oversight are the work of the state Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA).

“This investment is critical in reaching the last mile in bringing high-speed service to rural towns, which will support small businesses, enable remote work, and increase access to educational opportunities, healthcare, and other facets of our quality of life,” said Matthew Conserva, program manager of the BEA Office of Broadband Initiatives.

These articles are being shared by partners in The Granite State News Collaborative. For more information visit collaborativenh.org.

HUDSON, N.H. — A monthslong investigation into drug trafficking resulted in multiple arrests, the seizure of various narcotics — including fentanyl and methamphetamine — and the recovery of firearms.

The Hudson Police Department announced in a press release on Thursday that the four charged were Kenny Eustate, 40, of Hudson; Matthew Williams, 42, of Manchester, New Hampshire; Sarah LaFond, 36, of Manchester, New Hampshire; and Karen Makela, 41, of an unknown address.

On Oct. 30, the Hudson Police, working alongside the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Southern New Hampshire Special Operations Unit, executed a search warrant at a residence in their town. Police said officers discovered fentanyl, methamphetamine, prescription medications, firearms, and other evidence linked to drug distribution.

Three individuals were taken into custody at the scene, including Eustate, arrested on active warrants for sale of controlled drugs and failure to appear. Police said that evidence recovered during the search led to additional charges levied against Eustate, including being a felon in possession of a deadly weapon.

Williams and LaFond were both arrested on outstanding burglary and theft warrants issued by the Manchester Police Department.

The investigation continued, leading to the arrest of Makela on Dec. 3. Makela faced charges of sale of controlled drugs and two counts of breach of bail. According to police, at the time of her arrest, she was found in possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine, resulting in additional drug possession charges.

Makela was arraigned on Dec. 4 in the 9th Circuit Nashua District Court and held on preventative detention.

Eustate was also arraigned in the 9th Circuit Nashua District Court and held on preventative detention.

Williams and LaFond were booked by the Hudson Police before being released to authorities in Manchester.

“The Hudson Police Department would like to thank the DEA, and the Southern New Hampshire Special Operations Unit for their continued assistance and support throughout the investigation,” police said in the release.

Follow Aaron Curtis on X @aselahcurtis, or on Bluesky @aaronscurtis.bsky.social.