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 the 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