ODA's NH Democracy Legislative Scorecard is a tool for YOU, voters and community members, to hold your elected officials accountable.
The Scorecards are divided by county, and within each you will see how your NH Senators, Representatives, and Governor voted on a slate of democracy-related bills.
Who is my Senator? Click HERE.
Who is my Representative? Click HERE.
What bills were included in the Scorecard? PDF of Bills Overview HERE
Voting:
HB 613 – If a city, town, or school district believes that an accessible voting system will not be used, they are required to post a public notice 90 to 180 days before the election, giving the public time to notify the clerk, at least 60 days before election day, stating they need the system.
SB 287 – If an unincorporated town reaches 100 registered voters, the SOS must step in and appoint a moderator to run the election. After that, the town votes in its own moderator. In towns of less than 100 registered voters, the SOS may step in and appoint a moderator if the town is unable to run its own election.
HB 365 – A voter can ask that the SOS or the town clerk verify their citizenship using online vital records databases. If this is done on election day, neither the SOS nor the election official must spend time that would “unreasonably interfere with their other election day duties.” If a person claims to be indigent, they can request and receive a voucher to obtain a copy of their documentary proof of citizenship on or before election day.
HB 323 – Prohibits the use of Student IDs to register to vote at any time and prohibits the use of student IDs to prove identity to access the ballot.
SB 223 – Prohibits the use of Student IDs to access the ballot and repeals RSA 21-N:4, VII, meaning the Commissioner of the Department of Education would no longer be statutorily obligated to compile or share a list of private and public high schools operating in NH as well as colleges, universities, and career schools licensed to operate in NH with the Secretary of State.
Money in Politics:
HB 1083 – Requires individuals or organizations making an independent expenditure of more than $500,000 for governor, or $50,000 for executive council, state senate, or state representative, to file a statement disclosing the name and address of each “original source” of the funds.
Deep Fakes:
HB 630 – Prohibiting the dissemination of deep fake materials of a political candidate within 90 days of the election, unless the generated item(s) come(s) with a clear disclosure statement.
Electioneering:
HB 340 – Expands the definition of electioneering to match the RSA (New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated) and creates a path to charge a public official suspected of electioneering with a misdemeanor, subject to a fine of up to $1,000. This would include public officials, such as teachers or librarians, who conduct surveys, as well as public officials speaking in their professional capacity on behalf of a fire, police, or school department seeking a budget increase or new equipment.
School Districts:
HB 356 – Allows for school districts to hold partisan races.
Scoring methodology
There are six scoring categories:
- Voted for democracy: Elected officials who voted FOR democracy are officials who voted, depending on the bill, to either limit the influence of money in politics, protect the freedom to vote, or to create fair redistricting maps.
- Voted against democracy: Elected officials who voted AGAINST democracy are officials who voted, depending on the bill, to either increase the influence of money in politics, restrict the freedom to vote, or to create unfair redistricting maps.
- Excused absence: These officials were not present for a vote and had an excuse for their absence, or were presiding over the session.
- Unexcused Absence: These officials were not present for a vote, and did not give an excuse for their absence.
- Not voting: These officials were present, but chose to skip the vote on a particular bill.
- No Vote: These officials resigned, passed away while in office, or are the officials who got voted into office to fill a vacancy.
Why some bills and not others?
There are three types of votes taken by the legislature. Only the roll call vote tracks how individual legislators vote.
Roll Call Votes: For an important vote where the public is watching carefully, roll call votes put each legislator on the record as voting for or against a bill. Roll call votes give us the most information as to who is, and is not, supporting democracy legislation. These votes are the basis for our ODA Scorecard.
Voice Votes: Voice votes are typically taken when a vote is not controversial and not expected to be close. The chair makes a determination from the front of the room as to whether there are more Yeas than Nays, and if it's too close to call, a roll call or division vote may be requested. These votes do not put legislators on the record, and are NOT included in our scorecard.
Division Votes: If a bill is close, or particularly contentious, a division vote might be taken. Unlike a voice vote, every vote is counted, but not tied to a particular legislator. This gives cover to legislators who might vote for a bill that his or her constituents might not like, or where that legislator might vote against the party's position. These votes do not put legislators on the record though, and are NOT included in our scorecard.
Previous Years:
2023-2024 Scorecard
2021-2022 Scorecard