COVID-19 has upended the country and the Granite State, and its economic and social impacts are still unfolding. While the proactive, collaborative spirit our elected leaders have brought to the state’s virus response has been much appreciated, in that same spirit we must protect fairness in our elections. No one should have to choose between their health and safety and their constitutional right to vote. To ensure this, planning to guarantee ballot accessibility to all eligible Granite Staters must start now.
Below are outlined policies that would help prepare for the assumption that COVID-19 will continue to be a factor in the fall and ensure that the 2020 elections are safe and accessible to all eligible voters for the September 8th primary and November general election.
The common sense solutions below are proposed with the assumption that they will not be long-term reforms, but will sunset after the 2020 election. A pandemic calls for creative, urgent actions.
- Allow no excuse absentee voting and mail a ballot to every New Hampshire voter.
- Establish online voter registration.
- Allow voter registration by mail.
- Create a statewide absentee ballot application website.
- Cut the red tape on returning absentee ballots by allowing voters to decide who they trust to return their ballots.
- Establish secure public places for returning absentee ballots.
- Appropriate additional state funds for public education and local election administration.
- Establish in-person Election Day protocol to both protect election officials and the public with considerations and safety measures.
Please fill in the form below to add your voice to the call for the comprehensive election administration planning needed to address the threat that COVID-19 poses to New Hampshire's Fall elections.
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