FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2019
Contact: press@jeanneshaheen.org

Concord, N.H. – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) is asking presidential candidates to commit to protecting the right to vote for everyone in New Hampshire, particularly young people, and sign a pledge to denounce a new state voter suppression law threatening that right. Shaheen is highlighting attempts to undermine voting rights in New Hampshire where the first-in-the-nation primary makes voting a special responsibility. She is asking national leaders to condemn and work to overturn the new law which threatens the voting rights of tens of thousands of people in the Granite State, specifically young people. Thus far, Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand, Pete Buttigieg, and Beto O’Rourke have signed Shaheen’s pledge.

“Here, where the first-in-the-nation Presidential Primary makes voting a special responsibility, a new voter suppression law means tens of thousands of young people could lose their right to vote. They are being disenfranchised by photo ID requirements, arbitrary challenges to residency, and unfounded allegations of fraud,” reads the letter. “I am asking every candidate for President to stand up for these students, condemning these tactics and protecting the integrity of New Hampshire’s voting process by signing a petition publicly denouncing this voter suppression law.”

The full letter text is available here and copied below.

Dear Presidential Candidates,

Voting rights are under attack in the state of New Hampshire.

Here, where the first-in-the-nation Presidential Primary makes voting a special responsibility, a new voter suppression law means tens of thousands of young people could lose their right to vote. They are being disenfranchised by photo ID requirements, arbitrary challenges to residency, and unfounded allegations of fraud. This new law, by effectively creating a poll tax on college students, is just the latest attempt to undermine Americans’ constitutionally-protected right to vote.

I am asking every candidate for President to stand up for these students, condemning these tactics and protecting the integrity of New Hampshire’s voting process by signing a petition publicly denouncing this voter suppression law.

Everyone who is eligible should be encouraged to exercise their right to vote and take an active role in our democracy. This is especially true for young people who will be responsible for the impact of today’s decisions – good and bad – for decades to come. With the nation’s eyes turned toward our first-in-the-nation primary, we have an opportunity to send a clear message to anyone seeking to subvert voting rights. I hope that you will join me in standing up for all Americans’ right to vote.

Sincerely,

Jeanne Shaheen, United States Senator

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