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News from Open Democracy Action

Open Democracy Action is a 501c4 nonprofit which works on campaign finance reform, getting Big Money out of politics through activism, supporting legislation, and lobbying lawmakers.

December 2025 in Action: Building Power Across New Hampshire ⭐️

December was a powerful reminder that this work is strongest when it’s rooted in community. These are just a few highlights from a month filled with conversations, gatherings, and collaboration across the state.

🏠 House Party in Durham

Earlier this month, Open Democracy Action brought supporters together for a house party in Durham at the home of Hon. Amanda Merrill and Ken Fuld, graciously hosted by Amanda and Ken along with Hon. Marjorie Smith, Hon. Katie Wheeler, and Stefanie Griffin.

The afternoon was full of thoughtful, energizing conversations about how best to strengthen our democracy—grounded in the reminder, as Olivia shared that day, that democracy is a verb: something we practice every day through participation, organizing, and showing up for one another.

We’re deeply grateful to our generous hosts for helping create space for these important conversations.

📣 Voter Education & Coalition Work

Throughout the month, we stayed busy sharing information and building partnerships to ensure voters are ready for the changes ahead. Olivia presented to the Durham Democrats (pictured right) on new election laws taking effect and what communities can do to ensure everyone can vote on December 7th. Earlier in the month, on December 3rd, Olivia joined Liz Tentarelli, President of the League of Women Voters of New Hampshire, for a similar presentation hosted by the Rockingham County Democratic Committee. Another Zoom presentation on these new election laws is scheduled for February 4th, hosted by the Hollis Democrats. Click here to RSVP! 🗓️

In addition, Open Democracy Action attended the New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights (NHCVR) convening at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord. As a member of this coalition, it was energizing to collaborate with so many organizations from across the state and begin mapping out a shared plan to ensure every eligible Granite Stater has their voice heard.

🎶 House Veto Day: Corruption Chorus & Big Wins

On December 17th, Open Democracy Action brought the Corruption Chorus to the State House on Veto Day, raising our voices alongside friends from Kent Street Coalition to remind lawmakers that democracy should work for everyone.

We’re thrilled to share that the House voted to sustain the Governor’s vetoes of HB 613 and HB 356—important wins for inclusive, accessible democracy. These bills would have created barriers to the polls for voters with disabilities and injected partisan politics into school district elections.

Huge thanks to Ellen Farnum and Brian Beihl for the powerful songs that helped carry the message. Click here to listen! 🎶

💰 Making Cents of Democracy

Open Democracy Fellow Kofi Asare-Bediako shared research from his semester-long internship on how money in politics shapes political power in New Hampshire, with a special focus on healthcare. We were also grateful to Rep. Connie Lane for joining the conversation and offering her insights. Rep. Lane is sponsoring two campaign finance reform bills in 2026—HB 1083, which would strengthen disclosure of the sources of certain political donations, and HB 1201, which would require tax-exempt political committees to disclose their donors—both of which we will be supporting. 

Together, these conversations helped shape how we’re thinking about the 2026 legislative session. Stay tuned for a recording of Kofi's presentation coming soon to our YouTube channel!

Legislative Preview: Retained Bills to be Voted on in Early January 🏛️

Below are a selection of election law bills that were retained during the 2025 legislative session. Each bill has received a recommendation from the House or Senate Election Law Committee—either ITL (Inexpedient to Legislate) or OTP (Ought to Pass)—and will be voted on by the full House on January 7th and 8th.

We’ll be back on January 2nd with a ready-to-use email tool and clear guidance to help you weigh in before these votes.

  • ❌ HB 323: requiring the presentation of a government-issued photographic means of identification in order to vote. 
    • Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-2940h 09/16/2025 (Vote 10-7; RC)
  • ❌ HB 317: preventing a supervisor of the checklist from verifying a person's identity without identification, even if they personally know that person.
    • Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 09/16/2025 (Vote 10-7; RC)
  • ❌ HB 340: defines electioneering in relation to public employees
  • ❌ HB 686 (very similar to HB 340): originally introduced as an absentee ID and notarization bill, HB 686 was later changed entirely through a non-germane (unrelated) amendment.
    • Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment#2025-2935h (NT) 09/16/2025 (Vote 10-7; RC)

Upcoming Events 🗓️

  • Open Democracy Recent Election Law Changes Presentation - hosted by Nottingham Democratic Committee
    • Tuesday, Jan 13th, 2026
    • 7pm
    • 139 Stage Road, Nottingham NH 
  • Open Democracy Legislative Advocacy Training, hosted by Central NH Indivisible 
    • Monday, January 26th, 2026
    • 6:30pm
    • 1 Russell St, Plymouth, NH
  • Open Democracy Recent Election Law Changes Presentation - hosted by Keene County Democrats
    • Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026
    • 6:30-8pm
    • 2 Court St, Keene NH

 

Our Monthly Newsletter, The Equal Voice

Read the latest issue of Equal Voice:  A Newsletter for those who Walk the Talk of Campaign Finance Reform, which includes news from Open Democracy Action and its sister organization, Open Democracy and its project NH Rebellion.   

Spring 2021 Equal Voice Newsletter in PDF

October 2020 Equal Voice Newsletter in PDF

June 2020 Equal Voice Newsletter in PDF

May 2020 Equal Voice Newsletter in PDF

April 2020 Equal Voice Newsletter in PDF

January 2020 Equal Voice Newsletter in PDF

December 2019 Equal Voice Newsletter in PDF

November 2019 Equal Voice Newsletter in PDF

October 2019 Equal Voice Newsletter in PDF

September 2019 Equal Voice Newsletter in PDF

 

 

 

 

Press Releases from Open Democracy Action

See our latest press statements regarding our activities and actions!

Open Democracy Action News Press Release Equal Voice Newsletter Campaign Finance Reform Big Money Politics New Hampshire NH

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  • Brian Beihl
    published this page 2019-10-02 13:39:45 -0400

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

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