Protecting the First-in-the-Nation Primary, Voter ID Battles, and Statehouse Operations

Host Jeff Chidester welcomed New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan to The Morning Update for an authoritative discussion on Granite State election law, ongoing voter integrity litigation, and the future of the presidential primary.

• Defending First-in-the-Nation Primary Status: Secretary Scanlan reaffirmed New Hampshire’s unwavering commitment to holding the First-in-the-Nation presidential primary for the 2028 election cycle, regardless of national party calendar mandates or DNC scheduling preferences. When asked by Jeff whether an official date for the 2028 primary has been set, Scanlan explained that state law grants the Secretary of State sole authority to schedule the primary date—a determination that is strategically finalized closer to the election to ensure New Hampshire precedes any other state’s similar contest by at least seven days.
• Student ID Legislation & Legal Challenges: The conversation turned to recent election law reforms, specifically addressing the lawsuit filed against New Hampshire over legislation that removes student IDs from the list of accepted voter identification. Secretary Scanlan detailed the legal arguments surrounding the law, emphasizing the state’s mandate to maintain uniform identification standards and voter confidence while navigating court challenges.
• Broader Operations of the Secretary of State’s Office: Closing out the segment, Jeff and Secretary Scanlan highlighted the wide array of public responsibilities managed by the Secretary of State’s office beyond elections, including corporate record administration, business registration services, public archives, and the preservation of New Hampshire’s vital historical documents.