CONCORD, NH–Today, New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte vetoed SB 434, a book ban bill that jeopardized students’ access to books, performances, and other school materials based on the personal politics or beliefs of one person. This is the second book ban bill the Governor has vetoed; in 2025, she rejected HB 324.
In her SB 434 veto message, Governor Ayotte stated: “...existing New Hampshire law already requires school districts to adopt a policy allowing an exception to specific course material based on a parent’s determination that the material is objectionable…As current law provides a mechanism for parents through their local school district to exercise their rights to ensure their children are not exposed to inappropriate materials, I have vetoed Senate Bill 434.”
Members of the New Hampshire Freedom to Read Coalition released the following statements after the veto:
“We thank Gov. Ayotte for once again standing up for the freedom to read in New Hampshire. SB 434’s overly broad language would have handed a blunt instrument to book banners and exposed the state to legal challenges.Let’s stop playing Groundhog Day and leave these decisions with local communities, where they belong,” said Jacquelyn Benson, NH Regional Leader, Authors Against Book Bans
Philomena Polefrone, Associate Director of Advocacy, American Booksellers Association, said, “We applaud Gov. Ayotte for her keen judgment in vetoing SB 434, a would-be book ban bill that could have thrown New Hampshire schools into chaos. Libraries need librarians and funding, not book bans. Let this be an end to the ongoing distraction of these repeated censorship bills.”
“This veto is a win for New Hampshire moms and families who deserve the freedom to read and learn,” said MacKenzie Nicholson, Co-Senior Director, MomsRising New Hampshire. “It’s clear to us that this bill was an on-ramp for book bans, the same way we know what’s happening when our kids shove their mess under the bed. After three years of similar bills, we’re hoping the third time’s the charm. Moms aren’t asking for book bans. We’re asking for real solutions to real issues like child care, housing, school funding, the cost of living, and more.”
Megan Tuttle, President, NEA-New Hampshire added, “We know reading opens the doors to imagination, opportunity, and a lifetime of learning and that every student deserves to see themselves reflected in the pages of their books. As educators, we will never stop working to ensure that every New Hampshire student has access to the books, materials, and support they need to spark a lifelong love of reading. NEA-New Hampshire applauds Governor Ayotte for standing up for the freedom to read in New Hampshire.”
Deb Howes, President of American Federation of Teachers - NH, said,
"Governor Ayotte's veto is a victory for Granite State students. Public schools should open doors to learning, not close them. Students deserve access to a broad range of ideas, and educators should be trusted to use their professional judgment to choose materials, and to help students think critically and learn about the world around them. We commend the Governor for standing with students, educators, parents and local communities by rejecting legislation that could have limited learning opportunities for all."
Christina Pretorius, Education Justice Campaign Director, Engage NH said, “We are encouraged that Governor Ayotte listened to parents and rejected SB 434. We already have processes and procedures to ensure our schools and libraries are places where kids have the freedom to read and learn with materials that are age-appropriate for them. This was yet another attempt by far right politicians to divide our communities, but we will keep fighting to ensure that our families, students, and teachers are at the center of decision making, not special interest groups pushing radical agendas like this.”
“We are grateful that Governor Ayotte continued her commitment to the freedom to read of all Granite State young people. This is a victory for LGBTQ+ young people, and all New Hampshire students. Every child deserves to see themselves reflected in the books and materials in their classrooms. Our classrooms should be spaces rooted in learning, and not censorship. Granite state values support the freedom of all Granite Staters to live free and read,” stated Heidi Carrington Heath, Executive Director, NH Outright.
Aimee Terravechia, Executive Director of 603 Equality, said, “We are pleased with the Governor’s veto on SB 434. SB 434 was a censorship bill, through and through, and aimed to create a culture of censorship in our schools. This bill would have created an environment where students and families could have materials that represent their identities, beliefs, and experiences removed, wholesale. We will continue to fight any other materials bans that erode a student’s rights.”
Amanda Azad, Policy Director at the ACLU of New Hampshire, said, “Students, parents, and educators can breathe a sigh of relief that this extreme and unnecessary attempt to create pathways to ban books and school materials in New Hampshire was vetoed today by Governor Ayotte. Granite Staters simply aren’t folks who want book bans. To live freely is to learn and read freely, and we will continue to fight against any future effort to censor our classrooms."
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