Story perspectives

Supreme Court lets New Hampshire ban student IDs

By Drooid · Oct 26, 2026, 2:37 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Governor Ayotte Signs

The Supreme Court cleared the way for New Hampshire to ban student IDs as voter ID.
Governor Kelly Ayotte signed the law removing student IDs from New Hampshire’s voter-ID list.
Rep. Donald McFarlane sponsored HB 323, saying colleges lack the controls of government-issued IDs.
The Republican National Committee backed the emergency appeal that led to the Court’s intervention.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued the sole public dissent, criticizing the decision.

Summary

Supreme Court Reshapes Elections

U.S. Supreme Court issued rulings reshaping election rules, boosting Republican prospects for November 3 midterms.
April decision gutted a Voting Rights Act provision, weakening minority voting challenges.
June decision struck down federal campaign-finance caps, prompting the RNC to spend over $50 million.
September ruling rejected President Donald Trump’s effort to let Postal Service block millions of mail ballots.
Justice Elena Kagan warned the Court blinded itself to effects, saying democracy doesn’t work.

History

Historical Context

The Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision in Shelby County v. Holder on June 25, 2013 struck down the Voting Rights Act’s Section 4(b) coverage formula, ending preclearance for 28 jurisdictions and affecting roughly five million minority voters. That loss of federal oversight enabled new voter-ID laws, and in 2024 the Court’s emergency order curbing New Hampshire ID protections, backed by the Republican National Committee, continues the same judicial shift.

1 of 3

Governor Ayotte Signs

The Supreme Court cleared the way for New Hampshire to ban student IDs as voter ID.
Governor Kelly Ayotte signed the law removing student IDs from New Hampshire’s voter-ID list.
Rep. Donald McFarlane sponsored HB 323, saying colleges lack the controls of government-issued IDs.
The Republican National Committee backed the emergency appeal that led to the Court’s intervention.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued the sole public dissent, criticizing the decision.

1 / 3