House Concurs with Senate on Amendment for HB 706 Nonpartisan Redistricting Bill; Goes to Governor

Establishment of a nonpartisan redistricting commission moved a step closer with a bipartisan 208-137 division vote on HB 706 in the House on Thursday, it's last stop in the legislature.

That's with a total of 345 votes cast, and a 60% to 40% margin, short of the 66% that would be needed to override a veto from the governor. It is still unclear whether the governor will sign or veto the bill.  Many representatives were absent from the vote.

In May, a bipartisan compromise was reached to assure passage in the Senate and make the bill more palatable to Republicans. Thursday's  division vote does not record who cast the ballot for the concurrence vote, but it had originally passed the house in a 218-123 bipartisan vote, 64% to 36%.

Write or Call the Governor

Open Democracy Action has been urging voters to write to Governor Sununu to encourage him to sign the bill. Continued letters and calls to the governor, and letters to the editor to local papers are needed to convince him that the New Hampshire voters want fair voting districts, and it's in the best interest for both parties and for the State. Please do it soon!

Mail: (We recommend a personal letter)

Office of the Governor, State House, 107 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301

Phone:

(603) 271-2121; (603) 271-7680 (fax)

Email:

Email the Governor's opinion email

LEGISLATION WE'RE WATCHING THIS TERM

For updates and descriptions of the other important democracy legislation this session, click on the links below.

Public funding

Redistricting and ending gerrymandering

Campaign reform

Money in politics

Questions? Want to Help?

Olivia Zink: [email protected]; (603) 661-8621 (cell)

Rick Bourdon: [email protected]; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)

Brian Beihl: [email protected] (603) 620-8300 (cell)