FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 23, 2024

Young Veterans Sign onto Letter Opposing House Bill 1569

Dear General Court of New Hampshire,

We first want to thank you for your service to our State and for carefully considering legislation pertaining to our elections and democracy. As veterans who proudly served our country in various branches of the military, we uniquely understand and appreciate your public service and role to protect our rights. That is why we are writing to express our opposition to House Bill 1569, a piece of legislation that, in its pursuit to reform voter identification and registration processes, makes our voter registration system the most restrictive in the country and risks disenfranchising a significant and honorable segment of our population: our veterans and active-duty service members, particularly those who are foreign-born American citizens.

The United States military has long reflected our nation's diversity and strength, with foreign-born individuals playing a crucial role in our armed forces. One report estimates that roughly 5% of American active duty personnel are foreign-born. There are 45,000 foreign-born service members in the US military now, which is about the same number of service members as the entire active duty US Coast Guard. These service members, hailing from all across the globe, embody the very essence of American values—commitment, sacrifice, and the pursuit of democracy.

Furthermore, the Pew Research Center's recent findings illuminate the changing demographics of America's veteran population, underscoring the increasing diversity within our armed forces and highlighting the contributions of Hispanic and other minority veterans. These trends accentuate the need for inclusive policies that respect the rights and contributions of all service members, regardless of their place of birth.

Data from USCIS underscores the commitment of foreign-born service members to our nation, with over 170,000 military members becoming naturalized citizens since 2002—a testament to their dedication and an acknowledgment of their sacrifices. Yet, legislation like HB 1569 could impose barriers that disproportionately affect these very individuals who have served our country, potentially obstructing their fundamental right to vote. By imposing overly stringent voter identification and registration requirements that require foreign born citizens to provide more documentation than native born citizens, HB 1569 risks disenfranchising our minority and naturalized service members.

As veterans, we are staunch advocates for the rights of all service members, and believe lawmakers like you believe in protecting those rights. Therefore, we urge you to consider the implications of HB 1569 on our foreign-born veterans and active-duty personnel. Our democracy thrives on inclusivity and respect for those who have donned the uniform, irrespective of their origin. Let us honor their service by ensuring their voices can be heard at the ballot box. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.

Sincerely,

Ret. Major Curtis Register, U.S. Marine Corps, Durham 

Russ Kelly, Former U.S. Army Intelligence Analyst, Brentwood

Ret. MSgt. Adam Mulholland, U.S. Air Force, Barrington  

Commander Stuart Green, U.S. Navy, Andover

Maggie Tamposi Goodlander, Intelligence officer, US Navy Reserves (2011-2022), Nashua