NH DOJ Strips Northfield Man of Voting Rights Over Stolen Political Sign Case

CONCORD, NH — A Northfield man has lost his right to vote after being convicted of removing political signs — a punishment that some say goes far beyond what the New Hampshire Constitution ever intended.

According to Attorney General John Formella’s office, Nick Moorhead, 55, pled guilty in Franklin District Court to a single Class B misdemeanor for unlawfully removing campaign signs under RSA 664:17. The court fined him $250 plus a $60 penalty, for a total of $310.

What drew attention, however, was a line in the Attorney General’s press release stating that, “Pursuant to Part I, Article 11 of the State Constitution, Mr. Moorhead’s right to vote in New Hampshire is terminated unless later restored by the New Hampshire Supreme Court.”

That clause of the state constitution reads in part: “Every person shall be considered an inhabitant for the purpose of voting… but such person shall be disqualified from voting if convicted of treason, bribery, or any willful violation of the election laws of this state or of the United States.”

The Attorney General’s office appears to have interpreted the removal of political signs — a misdemeanor that carries no jail time — as a “willful violation” of election law sufficient to revoke voting rights.

Critics say that’s a stretch. The constitutional language was written to address voter fraud and bribery, not disputes over yard signs.

“To take away someone’s right to vote over a misdemeanor sign case is absurd,” said one former election law attorney familiar with the matter. “This isn’t what Article 11 was meant for.”

Moorhead’s case involved signs taken from the front yard of a private residence before the November 2024 election. There was no allegation of voter interference or ballot tampering.

Still, the Election Law Unit touted the conviction, reminding the public that political advertising is protected under state law and may not be removed except by the property owner or an authorized person.

The penalty may be minor on paper, but the constitutional consequence is anything but. Under the Attorney General’s interpretation, Moorhead is now barred from voting unless the New Hampshire Supreme Court restores his rights — a process that can take years.

The decision raises a larger question: how far should the state go in enforcing election laws, and at what point does enforcement cross into overreach?

If a $310 fine for a sign dispute can cost a citizen their vote, some lawmakers are already suggesting it may be time to revisit how Article 11 is being applied.