College students in New Hampshire who come from out of state will still be able to vote there come Election Day, provided they register to do so.

Despite a law that was passed earlier this year by the state’s lawmakers that would require students to sign a statement saying they declare New Hampshire their home ”“ making them subject to laws that apply to all residents ”“ voter rights have been temporarily preserved.

The law would require those students to register their cars and get a New Hampshire driver’s license as well as other requirements if they want to vote. The statement doesn’t require students to be residents but makes them subject to hundreds of laws involving residency, according to the Associated Press.

The law has been in limbo, however, since Strafford County Superior Court Judge John Lewis ordered the state to issue new voter registration forms without the statement. He says it’s at odds with state law and would have a “clear, harmful effect” on voting rights.

We agree, and it’s unfortunate this law was passed at all, even over a veto by Democratic Gov. John Lynch. The law was challenged by the League of Women Voters of New Hampshire and four students represented by the New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union because it restricts voters rights.

Despite outcry from voters around the country and in the region ”“ and votes to maintain access to the polls ”“ there has been a country-wide, GOP-backed campaign to restrict voters’ access to the polls. Politicians have said that fraud is the reason, and that the right to vote needs to be preserved from all of this fraudulent activity.

But the facts don’t back those claims up.

In Maine, voters said no to more restrictive laws around voter registration ”“ rejecting a measure to eliminate same-day voter registration just last year on Election Day.

After a two-month investigation into possible voter fraud by college students and non-citizens in the summer of 2011, Secretary of State Charlie Summers Jr. said evidence showed that students accused of committing fraud did not, and only one instance of a non-citizen voting in Maine could be found.

College students are not leading a national campaign to cast fraudulent votes. It is difficult enough to get young people to the polls at all. So in states like New Hampshire, where college students have been afforded the right to vote in the community in which they are living, voter participation has been the priority ”“ as it should be.

It is challenging for college students ”“ with classes, exams and part-time jobs ”“ to balance their schedules. Getting home, if they attend college outside of their home state, or even hours away from their hometown, can be quite an obstacle. Remembering to request, fill out and return an absentee ballot on time can also be a challenge, especially to new students, many of whom were not eligible to vote before heading off to college.

Allowing these young people to vote in the state in which their college is located opens up the public process to allow for more participation. It also teaches them a valuable lesson in being a responsible citizen. Dropping that slip of paper through the ballot box is a special experience and is one many elect to take part in rather than sending their votes off in the mail.

We hope voter rights prevail in New Hampshire, and we hope college students will be able to vote in national elections there beyond Nov. 6.

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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham representing the majority opinion of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.