New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) has signed a new law requiring voters to show proof of citizenship and photo ID, but the bill won’t impact the upcoming 2024 election due to its delayed implementation. The law will officially take effect on Nov. 11, six days after voters head to the polls.

The Republican-controlled legislature passed the bill to tighten election rules by mandating more stringent requirements for voter registration and ballot casting. Voters will now need to show a valid photo ID to vote, and new registrants must prove their citizenship status. If voters cannot provide the necessary ID, election supervisors will review their eligibility, potentially barring them from voting if their identity cannot be verified.

The bill has received praise from conservative election integrity advocates like Hans von Spakovsky of the Heritage Foundation, who believes New Hampshire needs these tighter rules due to its same-day voter registration policy. However, von Spakovsky noted that the timing of the bill’s passage makes it impossible to implement before the 2024 election.

Opponents, including Democrats and the ACLU, argue that the law could unfairly disenfranchise voters who lack the proper documentation. They also claim that some voters may not be able to obtain these documents in time. Sununu rejected these concerns, stating that obtaining documentation is a common part of daily life and dismissing the opposition’s arguments as “fearmongering.”

Though Sununu is not seeking reelection, the law’s impact on future elections could be significant, ensuring stricter voter requirements starting in 2025.