• About
    • About
    • Who we are
    • Blogs
  • Goals for Reform
  • Events
  • Take Action
    • Take Action
    • Open Democracy Regional Teams
    • Campaign Finance Corruption Chorus
    • Practicing Democracy Pledge
  • DONATE
  • 2021-2022 NH Legislative Scorecard
  • Vote
  • Home /
  • State House

Help Us Override the Veto of HB 706 Independent Redistricting Commission and Bring Fairness to NH's Voting Districts

Governor Sununu has inexplicably vetoed the bipartisan HB 706 independent redistricting committee.   This bill would have been one of the most significant New Hampshire Democracy reforms in decades, and there is an effort underway to OVERTURN the governor's veto. 

If you care about the erosion of our Democracy using gerrymandering and other voting manipulations, we need you to take action!

How Can I Help?

The last effort to save HB 706 lies with the New Hampshire Legislature, so our focus is getting as many meetings, calls, letters to theActionNeededVetoVote.jpg editor, and social media posts sustained until Sept. 18th as we can.

1)  Meet with your State Reps and Senator for a "Cup of Fairness" coffee at your local coffee shop, or in the case of senators, in their office.  Our challenge is to get 40 additional Republican state representatives to vote their consciences and take a stand for fairness and integrity in our redistricting process. 

If they supported HB 706, thank them.   But we now we have to ask for their vote for the override, and ask for them to please make public statements of support for the override.   Legislators are more likely to commit if they know there are others taking the same position.  "I'm here as a voter, and I think the Governor made a mistake when he vetoed the HB 706 independent redistricting bill.  We're hoping you can correct that mistake on September 18th. 

If they didn't vote for HB 706, why not? 

  • HB 706 is a bipartisan bill, crafted in NH for NH
  • HB 706 passed unanimously in a voice vote in the Senate
  • HB 706 is constitutional.  The legislator picks the commissioners, assures all is done in public, debates the proposed maps, and votes on it.
  • The NH Constitution, Part 2, Article 9 requires that NH elections shall be, “founded on the principles of equality.” You can't have voting equality with unfair voting districts.
  • HB 706 keeps the party in power from gaming the voting districts to benefit incumbents and packing for one party or the other -- particularly important in a purple state like New Hampshire.
  • It should end gerrymandering in NH, ensuring fair districts for all voters
  • If the Governor should lose the 2020 election, this prevents Democrats from gerrymandering the voting districts against Republicans.
  • The override should be a vote of conscience, since voters 60% of Republicans and 65% of Democrats are against gerrymandering and for and independent redistricting committee.
  • "Can we count on your vote to override?  Thank them, even if they disagree with us. 
  • We would appreciate hearing the results of your conversation, so we can track the position of the   

2)  Write a Letter to the Editor - Even if you've written one previously, write another letter to the editor to all your local papers and publicly ask the community to contact their legislators to vote for an override of the Governor's veto on HB 706.  

3)   Reach out to your friends -- In emails and on social media, ask your friends to write, and to call their state reps on this.  Underscore the importance of the bill, and that we might not have another opportunity like this for awhile.

Action Needed Now -- The Veto Override Vote is September 18 in the House

Thank you.  We're counting on our supporters to help us send the message that voters won't tolerate being ignored and dismissed. 

Feel free to email any questions, or call me at 603-620-8300.

Walk on,

Brian Beihl

Deputy Director 

Who's volunteering

Lynda Stewart Lynda Stewart
Steven Rand Steven Rand
Dennis Jakubowski Dennis Jakubowski
Dick Swett Dick Swett
Wayne Goldner Wayne Goldner
olivia zink olivia zink

Will you volunteer?


New Hampshire NH independent redistricting commission fair voting districts Gerrymandering
Like this to encourage your friends to volunteer.
Tweet

Showing 16 reactions


Sign in with

Or sign in with email

    or Create an account


    Create an account

      or Sign in with email
      Please check your e-mail for a link to activate your account.
      • Lynda Stewart
        Lynda Stewart wants to volunteer 2019-09-09 02:35:56 -0400
      • Lynda Stewart
        Lynda Stewart signed up for HB706WRITE 2019-09-09 02:35:56 -0400
      • Lynda Stewart
        Lynda Stewart signed up for HB706CALL 2019-09-09 02:35:56 -0400
      • Steven Rand
        Steven Rand wants to volunteer 2019-08-31 20:07:04 -0400
      • Dennis Jakubowski
        Dennis Jakubowski wants to volunteer 2019-08-26 07:24:51 -0400
      • Dennis Jakubowski
        Dennis Jakubowski signed up for HB706WRITE 2019-08-26 07:24:51 -0400
      • Dennis Jakubowski
        Dennis Jakubowski signed up for HB706ACTION 2019-08-26 07:24:51 -0400
      • Dennis Jakubowski
        Dennis Jakubowski signed up for HB706CALL 2019-08-26 07:24:51 -0400
      • Dick Swett
        Dick Swett wants to volunteer 2019-08-24 09:47:47 -0400
      • Dick Swett
        Dick Swett signed up for HB706CALL 2019-08-24 09:47:47 -0400
      • Wayne Goldner
        Wayne Goldner wants to volunteer 2019-08-22 19:36:43 -0400
      • Wayne Goldner
        Wayne Goldner signed up for HB706ACTION 2019-08-22 19:36:43 -0400
      • olivia zink
        olivia zink wants to volunteer 2019-08-22 13:50:03 -0400
      • olivia zink
        olivia zink signed up for HB706ACTION 2019-08-22 13:50:03 -0400
      • olivia zink
        olivia zink signed up for HB706CALL 2019-08-22 13:50:03 -0400
      • olivia zink
        olivia zink signed up for HB706MEET 2019-08-22 13:50:03 -0400
      • Sign in with Facebook
      • Sign in with Twitter
      • Sign in with Email
      Tweets by OpenDemoAction


      Open Democracy Action, 4 Park Street, Suite 301, Concord, NH 03301


      Sign in with Facebook, Twitter or email.
      Created with NationBuilder