The New Hampshire Democracy Report is a weekly letter sharing updates on democracy reform bills as they pass through the New Hampshire State House.

Here are recent newsletters in PDF:  

Feb. 10, 2020 New Hampshire Democracy Report

Feb. 2, 2020  New Hampshire Democracy Report

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: olivia@opendemocracy.me; (603) 661-8621 (cell)

Rick Bourdon: rick.bourdon@gmail.com; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)

Brian Beihl: Brian@Beihl.org (603) 620-8300 (cell)

NH Becomes the 20^th State to Call for a 28^th Amendment Addressing Citizens United & Redistricting

The New Hampshire Senate passed HB 504 in a roll call vote along party lines Thursday. HB 504 compels our Congressional delegation to call for a 28^th amendment to the U.S. Constitution giving Congress the power to regulate money in politics, and exempting such regulation from violating free speech.

Governor Sununu has not signed the bill, but technically, he doesn't need to. According to the Council of State Legislators, resolutions like HB 504 serve to inform our federal representatives of the wishes of the state legislature, and the governor's signature is not needed. However, Congress must craft it's own language, have it passed by 2/3 majority of each house, then have that language ratified by 75% of the states with no changes to the language. The U.S. Constitution does not contain a provision requiring Congress to submit a proposed amendment upon request by some requisite number of states. It's a high bar, but it's been done 27 times before.

Congratulations to all the legislators, supporting organizations and to the many voters who wrote letters and made phone calls. Granny D is smiling.

HB 706 Passes House Committee – Again - Tuesday, Full House Amendment Affirmation Vote Thursday

The House Election Law committee voted Tuesday to concur with the Senate's bipartisan amendment compromise to HB 706, making the bill more acceptable to Republicans in the House & Senate, and hopefully, Governor Sununu. HB 706 creates a nonpartisan redistricting commission, but the Senate's wholesale changes to the bill needed review by the House Election Law after it passed by voice vote on May 23. A positive vote of the House sends the bill to Governor Sununu, where it is still unclear whether the governor will embrace the bipartisan bill. Supported by ODA.

It's Up to Governor Sununu to Shine a Light on Dark Money LLCs 

In the 2016 gubernatorial election, both Governor Chris Sununu and his opponent, Colin Van Ostern, received donations from LLCs. At that time, and as it remains, individuals could contribute unlimited funds to an LLC, and the LLC would make campaign donations it the LLCs name. Amounts were disclosed, but not the individuals making the donations. SB 156 would change this, requiring that both the individual donors and the amounts they contributed, would be disclosed to the Secretary of State. The bill passed in a full house division vote 212-139 last Wednesday and now awaits Governor Sununu's signature or veto. Supported by ODA

The University of Seattle Law Review published an excellent article by Brendan A. O’Neill about the New Hampshire governor's race and the LLC Loophole. It will add to your understanding of how this type of sleazy Dark Money works and how to fix it.
 

House Adopts Ban of Ratepayer Money for Lobbying

As expected, HB 206 passed the full Senate last week in a voice vote. The bill would prevent public utilities from passing on to customers some of their costs for lobbying and other political activity. Despite the almost universal support for the bill through the legislature, the Sununu family's close ties to the energy industry raise a question as to whether he'll sign the bill. Supported by ODA

House Passes SB 105 Inaugural Committee Bill

SB 105 passed in a bipartisan voice vote last Wednesday, setting new guidelines for reporting for inaugural committees. The bill tightens regulations for donors to inaugural committees, limiting maximum donations to $10,000, and requires receipts for money dispersed to family members – a response to questionable payments made to family members and campaign insiders in the last election. The Governor's office has since released a conflict of interest policy for the inaugural committee.

UPCOMING HEARINGS & COMMITTEE VOTES

Red = Open Democracy Action Priority Bill

After Tuesday's Election Law vote on HB 706, there are no remaining hearings on Democracy bills in the New Hampshire House or Senate.

THIS WEEK'S SESSIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE

The Senate will meet in session Thursday, June 13 at 10 a.m. in Senate chambers. The House will meet June 13 at 10 a.m. The last remaining significant democracy bill is HB 706, which faces a vote to concur with the Senate's amendment.

“Dear Governor Sununu . . .”

HB 706 should be heading to the Governor in the next few weeks. Send a postal letter now and ask him to sign HB 706! Remind him that in the big picture, both parties benefit from a level playing field, and more importantly, New Hampshire voters benefit from having sensible representation, not gerrymandering.

Governor Christopher T. Sununu, Office of the Governor, State House, 107 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301.

Have you Heard?

Over the last six months, Open Democracy has been producing the Open Democracy Minute, a radio segment which runs on WNHN 94.7 in Concord. Each week, we update listeners about current democracy legislation, and try to explain complex issues like gerrymandering and ranked choice voting in 90 seconds. Each week's Open Democracy Minute can be found on the Open Democracy Minute page. Take a listen to this week's segment!

Upcoming Events

Film: "Dark Money," Nashua

This award-winning political thriller examines one of the greatest threats to American democracy; the influence of untraceable corporate money on our elections and elected officials.

The film follows an intrepid local journalist working to expose the real-life impacts of the US Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. Through this gripping story, DARK MONEY uncovers the shocking and vital truth of how American elections are bought and sold. There will be a panel discussion following the film

The movie is free to attend, and is sponsored by Open Democracy and the League of Women Voters, Nashua. It will be held at the Nashua Public Library, 2 Court Street, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. RSVP here, and contact Joan Emus with any questions.·

Films: "Legalize Democracy" & "The Story of Citizens United"

We the People - Mount Washington Valley cordially invite you to cookies and conversation about corporate personhood and what you can do about it. We will show two videos, The Story of Citizens United from the Story of Stuff Project, and Legalize Democracy from Move to Amend. The first show will be Tuesday, June 18, at 6:00 pm at the Conway Public Library, 15 Greenwood, Ave, Conway, followed by a Saturday matinee June 22 at 3:00 pm.

Have you heard?

Over the last six months, Open Democracy has been been producing the Open Democracy Minute, a radio segment which runs on WNHN 94.7 in Concord. Each week, we update listeners about current democracy legislation, and try to explain complex issues like gerrymandering and ranked choice voting in 90 seconds. Each week's Open Democracy Minute can be found on the Open Democracy Minute page. Take a listen to this week's segment!

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: olivia@opendemocracy.me; (603) 661-8621 (cell)

Rick Bourdon: rick.bourdon@gmail.com; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)

Brian Beihl: Brian@Beihl.org (603) 620-8300 (cell)

It took 8 years, 11 bills, and the efforts of hundreds of dedicated legislators and volunteer activists to get a bill to the governor's desk to neuter the Citizens United decision. If it passes the NH Senate on Thursday and is signed into law, HB 504 would direct our congressional delegation to call for a U.S. Constitutional amendment to address money in politics and gerrymandering.

It would make our state the 20^th to call for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to end Citizens United. The bill is short and somewhat general, but voices what many voters feel should be done:

“AN ACT relative to election-related amendments to the United States Constitution.

 Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1  Amendment to the United States Constitution.

I.  The general court hereby calls upon the United States Congress to support a constitutional amendment containing the following language:

"Section I.  Congress and State Legislatures shall regulate the role of money in elections and governance to ensure transparency, prevent corruption, and protect against the buying of access to or influence over representatives.  No such regulation shall be deemed in violation of freedom of speech rights in the Constitution of the United States or its Amendments.

Section II.  Legislative districts or districting plans shall not intentionally or unduly favor or disfavor any political party.  Within twelve months of ratification, all federal and state district lines shall be redrawn to conform hereto."

II.  Within 6 months of the effective date of this section, the general court shall hold one public hearing to be attended by 6 members of the house of representatives, 3 from each the 2 largest parties, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, and 2 members of the senate, one from each the 2 largest parties, appointed by the president of the senate to record public comments on such an amendment, to be forwarded to New Hampshire's congressional delegation along with the notification of the passage of this act.

2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.”

It's likely that HB 504 will pass with support of Democrats and some courageous, corruption-fighting Republicans. But it has little support from Republicans like Rep. Al Baldasaro in the NH House or the Senate, who attempted to table the bill on “violation of free speech” grounds on the House floor.

For many party leaders and politicians on both sides--and the donors who fund them--money equals political power. The loss of that power means they have fewer ways to win the election and stay in power. It takes a lot of money to get elected governor or U.S. Senator. They'll let go of unlimited campaign money when it's pried out of their cold dead hands.

Voters in 82 communities have already shouted to the legislature and governor by passing petitioned warrant articles calling for a U.S. Constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. Many of those legislators are listening, with more Democracy bills in the session than in any legislature in a decade.

Have you called or written to your representatives, your senator, or the Governor?

We CAN do this. The time is NOW!

HB 504 Call for U.S. Constitutional Amendment Scheduled for June 6 Full Senate Vote

HB 504 legislation calls on the U.S. Congress to support a constitutional amendment which allows Congress and state legislators to regulate money in elections and lobbying, and to require nonpartisan redistricting of voting districts, doing away with gerrymandering. It also calls for a public hearing about the amendment. Supported by ODA

HB 706 Returns to House Committee June 11,
Full House, June 13, to Senate's Amendment

Last week's New Hampshire Democracy Report mentioned that we were inches from the Governor's desk with the HB 706 independent redistricting bill. Because the amendment to the bill took place in the Senate, the bill had to return to the House for concurrence.  At the discretion of the originating committee's chair, it can either go directly to the House floor, or go though the originating committee first. Due to the extent of the amendment, it is returning on June 11 to the House Elections Law Committee, then will be brought to the House floor on June 13. It's not too late to write a letter, an email, or a letter to the editor, or make a phone call to your NH House Representatives and Governor Sununu. Supported by ODA.

Will the Sleazy Dark Money LLC Loophole be Closed? SB 156 Vote Wednesday on the House Floor

Big money donors use LLCs to work around the limits to individual campaign donations. Creating an LLC allows a donor or group of donors to give anonymously to the LLC in unlimited amounts, but the only name that reported to the Secretary of State is “The Freedom & Justice Alliance,” for an example. Because of Citizens United, amounts can't be limited, but SB 156 seeks to make those donations public information, including both the name of the donor (or partner in the LLC) and the amount of money contributed from that donor. Opponents to this bill are arguing that this disclosure would scare off business coming into New Hampshire, and votes for this bill have been along mostly party lines in the Senate and in House Election Law. The full House votes this Wednesday after 1 p.m., or possibly Thursday after 10 a.m. Supported by ODA.

House Likely to Endorse Ban of Ratepayer Money for Lobbying

SB 206 would prevent public utilities from passing on to customers some of their costs for lobbying and other political activity. In sending the bill on to the House, the vote was 24-0 in the Senate, and the House Election Law committee concurred, endorsing it 18-0 in a nonpartisan vote, but the bill won only by a 10-9 margin in the House Science, Technology and Energy committee. Supported by ODA

SB 105 Inaugural Committee Bill Expected to Pass in June 5 Vote

SB 105 cleared House Election Law with a 20-0 ought to pass recommendation, and has been added to the House “consent” calendar, all but assuring its passage. The bill tightens regulations for donors to inaugural committees, limiting maximum donations to $10,000, and requires receipts for money dispersed to family members – a response to questionable payments made to Governor Sununu's family members and campaign insiders. As a consent calendar bill, it come up Wednesday, shortly after lunch.
 

Voting Rights “Domicile” Bill HB 105 Passes Senate 14-10

HB 105 rolls back last year's restrictive and controversial SB 3 narrow definition of “domiciled” voters, affecting students, employees posted to New Hampshire and other medium-term residents. The bill has moved forward on strict party line votes in both the House & Senate. Governor Sununu is unlikely to sign the bill, given the partisan ranker surrounding last year's bill. Supported by ODA through its allies

Action on other bills from last week's sessions:

HB 531, a bill permitting unrelated caregivers to deliver absentee ballots on behalf of voters who reside in nursing homes or assisted living facilities as well as those who are being cared for at home, passed on a voice vote in the Senate.

HB 315 was amended during the process to allow the Secretary of State to participate in a database to identify voting fraud, but puts safeguards in place for use of voter data. The bill definitively pulls New Hampshire out of the infamous Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck program and its notorious inaccuracies and use for voter suppression. Just like it's vote in committee, the full Senate vote passed along party lines, 14-10.

Another voting rights bill, HB 611 passed along party lines as well, 13-11. The bill allows voters to vote by absentee ballot, no matter the reason. Current law restricts the circumstances under which an absentee ballot can be cast. Senate President Donna Soucy was the lone Democrat to vote against the bill.

The Senate passed HB 651, which would allow the use of campaign funds for child care expenses, 15-9. The bill was amended but was recommended 20-0 in House Election Law, and passed the House on a voice vote.

UPCOMING HEARINGS & COMMITTEE VOTES

Red = Open Democracy Action Priority Bill

With the term winding down, this appears to be one of the last democracy-related committee meetings for the summer, but no less an important one. Note that it's a work session, not a hearing, and will include a review and hopefully an endorsement of the amended HB 706.

TUESDAY, JUNE 11

ELECTION LAW, Room 308, LOB

10:00 a.m. Full committee work session to review senate amendments.

There are no hearings on Democracy bills in the New Hampshire Senate this week.

THIS WEEK'S SESSIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE

The Senate will meet in session Thursday, June 6 at 10 a.m. in Senate chambers. The House will meet June 5 at 1 p.m., again Thursday, June 6 at 10 a.m., and the following week, Thursday, June 13, 10 a.m.

This week, the Senate consider:

HB 106, restores many of the provisions on voting for students and medium-term workers rolled back in last year's SB 3. Supported by ODA through its allies.

HB 504, proposes a U.S. Constitutional amendment to allow the regulating money in politics and requires fair redistricting. Supported by ODA through its allies.

HB 556, allows municipalities to process absentee ballots prior to election day.

The House will vote on these Democracy bills this Wednesday or Thursday, June 5 or 6:

SB 105, tightens regulations for donors to inaugural committees, limiting maximum donations to $10,000, and requires receipts for money dispersed to family members

SB 66, bars candidates for the offices of Secretary of State, State Treasurer and any office voted upon by the New Hampshire General Court from making a political contribution to anyone running for public office.

SB 156 closes the LLC Loophole, making donors and partners to LLCs disclose the amounts and identities to the state in an attempt to shine a light on dark money. Supported by ODA.

“Dear Governor Sununu . . .”

HB 706 should be in the Governor's hands June 13. Send a postal letter now and ask him to sign HB 706! Remind him that in the big picture, both parties benefit from a level playing field, and more importantly, New Hampshire voters benefit from having sensible representation, not gerrymandering.

Governor Christopher T. Sununu, Office of the Governor, State House, 107 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301.

Have you geard?

Over the last six months, Open Democracy has been been producing the Open Democracy Minute, a radio segment which runs on WNHN 94.7 in Concord. Each week, we update listeners about current democracy legislation, and try to explain complex issues like gerrymandering and ranked choice voting in 90 seconds. Each week's Open Democracy Minute can be found on the Open Democracy Minute page. Take a listen to this week's segment!

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: olivia@opendemocracy.me; (603) 661-8621 (cell)

Rick Bourdon: rick.bourdon@gmail.com; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)

Brian Beihl: Brian@Beihl.org (603) 620-8300 (cell)

Thanks to the hard work of legislators, particularly Rep. Marjorie Smith & Senator Jim Gray, Open Democracy Action volunteers like you, and our allies around the state, we've finally pushed HB 706 up to, but not yet on, Governor Chris Sununu's desk.

In order to move those last few inches, HB 706 must make one last trip to the House on June 5 to confirm the Senate's amendment to the bill.

Last Thursday's voice vote in the New Hampshire Senate assured that it will move forward. But after the House confirmation, it's still not clear that the Governor would indeed sign the bill despite the strong bipartisan votes in the House & Senate.

With strong committee votes in both bodies, and strong votes in both the House and the Senate, it seems that a veto would be contrary to the wishes of both Democrat and Republican voters.

We have one last job for you on HB 706. Take a moment to pen, or type, an old fashioned postal letter. Office of the Governor, State House, 107 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301. Tell Governor Sununu in your own words why a nonpartisan redistricting commission is right for both parties, and why it's right for New Hampshire. And ask him to please sign HB 706. Sending a postal letter can add some gravitas in these days of Facebook messaging and emails. By early next week at the latest, please.

You've had an impact these past few months. Now let's bring it home for the voters of New Hampshire. They're counting on us.

SB 106 Political Advocacy Bill Wins House Approval

A voice vote last Thursday, SB 106 passed the House and the bill heads to the Governor's desk. The bill sets an amount of $2500 of political advocacy as the threshold when organizations need to register and disclose those expenditures with the Secretary of State's office. Open Democracy Action has been very active on this bill throughout this legislative session. The Governor has not taken a public position on the bill. Supported by ODA.

SB 104 Vote Postponement Procedures Approved by House

After difficult weather conditions caused town clerks to postpone votes in 2018, the legislature has been working diligently on SB 104 to resolve the desire of many towns to be able to accommodate the safety of town residents. The House supported this effort with a voice vote on a procedure for these situations, satisfying the Secretary of State’s office, town moderators and the New Hampshire Municipal Association, all of whom reached consensus on the language of the bill.

Final House Vote on Utility Lobbying Bill SB 206 Pending in June

SB 206 would prevent public utilities from passing on to customers some of their costs for lobbying and other political activity. In sending the bill on to the House, the vote was 24-0 in the Senate, and the House Election Law committee concurred, endorsing it 18-0 in a nonpartisan vote, but the bill had to survive a 10-9 vote in the Science, Technology & Energy Committee before going to the full House vote. Supported by ODA 

SB 105 Inaugural Committee Bill Expected June 5/6 for Final House Vote

SB 105 cleared House Election Law with a 20-0 ought to pass recommendation. The bill tightens regulations for donors to inaugural committees, limiting maximum donations to $10,000, and requires receipts for money dispersed to family members – a response to questionable payments made to Governor Sununu's family members and campaign insiders. The full House will act on the bill next Wednesday or Thursday, June 5 or 6.

Voting Rights “Domicile” Bill HB 105 Senate Vote Postponed to Thursday;

SB 67 Passes House last Week

HB 105 rolls back last year's restrictive and controversial SB 3 narrow definition of “domiciled” voters, affecting students, employees posted to New Hampshire and other medium-term residents. The bill has moved forward on strict party line votes in both the House & Senate. Governor Sununu is unlikely to sign the bill, given the partisan ranker surrounding last year's bill. Supported by ODA through its allies

Related to the voting rights definitions debate is SB 67, relative to the definitions of resident and residency. This bill passed last week 215-138 on party lines in the House, and now goes on to the Governor's desk. The effect of this bill is to modify the definition of residency in the NH statutes to enable constitutionally-eligible voters to vote in NH without having to incur financial costs to do so. Supported by ODA through its allies

HB 504 Call for U.S. Constitutional Amendment
Scheduled for June 6 Full Senate Vote

HB 504 legislation calls on the U.S. Congress to support a constitutional amendment which allows Congress and state legislators to regulate money in elections and lobbying, and to require nonpartisan redistricting of voting districts, doing away with gerrymandering. It also calls for a public hearing about the amendment. Supported by ODA.

UPCOMING HEARINGS & COMMITTEE VOTES

Red = Open Democracy Action Priority Bill

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 20199

Senate ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 102, LOB

Sen. Levesque (C), Sen. Sherman (VC), Sen. Morgan, Sen. Birdsell, Sen. Gray

10:00 a.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION ON PENDING LEGISLATION We expect HB 504 to be voted on during this executive session.

There are no hearings on democracy bills in the New Hampshire House this week.

THIS WEEK'S SESSIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE

The Senate will meet in session May 30 at 10 a.m. in Senate chambers. The House will meet June 5 at 1 p.m., again Thursday, June 6 at 10 a.m., and the following week, Thursday, June 13 (likely 10 a.m., although no time was specified by the chair).

The Senate will consider HB 531, a bill permitting unrelated caregivers to deliver absentee ballots on behalf of voters who reside in nursing homes or assisted living facilities as well as those who are being cared for at home. Allowing this will alleviate a burden from those who are disabled but want to cast their ballot on election day. The bill passed Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs 5-0 and was the only democracy bill on the consent calendar this week.

Among the Senate's regular calendar bills before the full Senate are:

HB 105, which seeks to remove some of the restrictions made by last year's SB 3 regarding the definition of “domicile” for students, medium-term workers, and others who choose to vote in New Hampshire. The bill passed Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs 3-2, but Governor Sununu had previously signed more restrictive SB3.

HB 315 was amended during the process to allow the Secretary of State to participate in a database to identify voting fraud, but puts safeguards in place for use of voter data. The bill definitively pulls New Hampshire out of the infamous Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck program and its notorious inaccuracies and use for voter suppression. As with most of the voting rights bills this term, the Election Law & Municipal Affairs vote was along party lines, ought to pass 3-2.

HB 556, allows municipalities to process absentee ballots prior to election day. Passed Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs committee 5-0.

Another voting rights bill, HB 611, allows voters to vote by absentee ballot, no matter the reason. Current law restricts the circumstances under which an absentee ballot can be cast. The bill passed in the House in a bipartisan roll call vote, 198-163, and passed Senate Election Law 3-2.

HB 651 would allow the use of campaign funds for child care expenses. The bill was amended but was recommended 20-0 in House Election Law, and passed the House on a voice vote. Senate Election Law passed it 3-2.

While we do not have a list of bills before the full house yet, we do expect HB 706, which passed the Senate last week, to return to the House for confirmation of the Senate's amendment to the bill.
 

Send a Note to Governor Sununu – Sign HB 706

HB 706 should be in the Governor's hands June 5. Send a postal letter now and ask him to sign HB 706! Remind him that in the big picture, both parties benefit from a level playing field, and more importantly, New Hampshire voters benefit from having sensible representation, not gerrymandering.

Governor Christopher T. Sununu, Office of the Governor, State House, 107 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301.

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: olivia@opendemocracy.me; (603) 661-8621 (cell)

Rick Bourdon: rick.bourdon@gmail.com; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)

Brian Beihl: Brian@Beihl.org (603) 620-8300 (cell)

Several victories this week in the New Hampshire House and Senate on redistricting, lobbying reform and transparency, for which we have reason to celebrate: The amended HB 706 nonpartisan redistricting commission passed Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs committee; the utility lobbying bill SB 206 passed the Science, Technology & Energy committee; and House Election Law committee recommended closing the LLC loophole. All good news.

But in the immortal words of Han Solo, “Great, Kid. Don't get cocky!” 

There are forces at work to derail what the voters want, so we must keep the pressure on. The Governor has shown skepticism on most Democracy legislation this term. Recent votes on the Dark Money-fighting SB 156, would indicate that some legislators want to continue anonymous donations of unknown amounts, and party leaders may be whipping their caucus members to support such votes.

Your letters to the editor, letters to the Governor, and most importantly your calls to your legislators are still needed. Don't let up!

Senate Vote Thursday on Nonpartisan Redistricting Commission

The amended HB 706 nonpartisan redistricting commission passed through the Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs committee with a 5-0 Ought to Pass vote last Thursday, and is scheduled for its full Senate vote in this Thursday's session, 10 AM, May 23. We encourage voters to attend.

As we reported last week, the bill was amended to allay the fears of legislators who thought the original version would violate the NH Constitution. Although the bill is not on the session's consent calendar, it is expected to pass and be sent back to the House to confirm the amended bill. If approved, the bill goes to Governor Sununu. Governor Sununu had said earlier in the term that he felt the current system was adequate, but signaled last week that he would consider the bill, but making no promises to sign it. Supported by ODA. Recommend roll call vote.

LLC Loophole Bill SB 156 Passes - But Without Republican Support

House Election Law gave the LLC Loophole an Ought to to Pass recommendation with a 12-8 vote, but it's clear that some legislators still want to keep the source and amounts of Dark Money a secret from the voters.

SB 156 would force donors using a limited liability corporation to make campaign donations to disclose who is making the donation and how much. Open Democracy Action testified for the bill in both the House and Senate, and SB 156 passed the Senate by a 13-11 margin. We expect SB 156 to come before the full House next week. Supported by ODA

Utility Lobbying Bill Survives Science, Technology & Energy, 10-9

SB 206 would prevent public utilities from passing on to customers some of their costs for lobbying and other political activity. In sending the bill on to the House, the vote was 24-0 in the Senate, and the House Election Law committee concurred, endorsing it 18-0 in a nonpartisan vote, so the 10-9 vote was a surprise. One Democrat, Jackie Cali-Pitts, joined all Republicans in opposing the bill. A lobbyist from Eversource Energy testified after Open Democracy Executive Director Olivia Zink cited recent lobbying expenditures, using Eversource as an example. Supported by ODA -

SB 105 Inaugural Committee Limits Bill Gets 20-0 Mandate

Echoing the strong message sent by the NH Senate, SB 105 cleared House Election Law with a 20-0 ought to pass recommendation. The bill tightens regulations for donors to inaugural committees, limiting maximum donations to $10,000, and requires receipts for money dispersed to family members – a response to questionable payments made to Governor Sununu's family members and campaign insiders.

The specter of new legislation hasn't slowed down money flowing into the Governor's inaugural coffers, however. Since the 2018 election, New Hampshire Public Radio reports that an additional $250,000 has been raised for the inaugural committee, $160,000 of which comes from political action committees and businesses. That list includes Bank of America, Pfizer, Uber, Reynolds American tobacco, Unitil, and Eastern Propane Gas, Inc. each of which gave $10,000, according to NHPR's review of the committee's filing.

SB 106 Political Advocacy Bill Has Full House Vote Wednesday

After a unanimous vote in the full senate, and a 20-0 vote in House Election Law, SB 106 now goes to the full House this Wednesday. SB 106 sets an amount of $2500 of political communications as the threshold when organizations need to register and disclose those expenditures with the Secretary of State's office. Supported by ODA. Recommend roll call vote.

“Domicile” Bill HB 105 Gets OTP from Senate Election Law,

Full Senate Vote Thursday, Likely to Pass

HB 105 rolls back last year's restrictive and controversial SB 3 narrow definition of “domiciled” voters, affecting students, employees posted to New Hampshire and other medium-term residents. The bill has moved forward on strict party line votes in both the House & Senate. Governor Sununu is unlikely to sign the bill, given the partisan ranker surrounding last year's bill. Supported by ODA through its allies

Vote Wednesday in Senate Election Law for HB 504 Call for U.S. Constitutional Amendment

HB 504 legislation calls on the U.S. Congress to support a constitutional amendment which allows Congress and state legislators to regulate money in elections and lobbying, and to require nonpartisan redistricting of voting districts, doing away with gerrymandering. It also calls for a public hearing about the amendment. The executive session vote in the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee will be held Wednesday, May 22, beginning at 10 a.m., Rm 102 of the Legislative Office Building (LOB). Supported by ODA.

UPCOMING HEARINGS & COMMITTEE VOTES

Red = Open Democracy Action Priority Bill

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 20199

Senate ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 102, LOB

Sen. Levesque (C), Sen. Sherman (VC), Sen. Morgan, Sen. Birdsell, Sen. Gray

10:00 a.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION ON PENDING LEGISLATION -- We expect HB 504 to be voted on during this executive session.

THIS WEEK'S LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS

As the 2019 session winds down, several Democracy bills will be acted on this week. The Senate meets Thursday, May 23 at 10 a.m. in Senate chambers.

HB 588, relative to presidential nominations. This bill will amend the declaration of candidacy form for presidential primary candidates. It will add one line that will make the New Hampshire form consistent with what the federal constitution requires. Ought to Pass, Vote 5-0.

HB 593, relative to updating official voter checklists. Outlines procedures that supervisors of the checklist must follow when they receive informal reports that a voter has died or has changed address. It will add to statute what is currently standard operating procedure. The amendment was requested by the Secretary of State and will make domicile information collected by the Secretary of State’s office exempt from the Right to Know law.

HB 105-FN, relative to domicile residency, voter registration, and investigation of voter verification letters. Committee vote Ought to Pass, 3-2 . Supported by ODA through its allies

HB 611-FN, allowing voters to vote by absentee ballot. Ought to Pass, Vote 3-2.

HB 651, allowing the use of campaign funds for child care expenses. Ought to Pass with Amendment, Vote 3-2.

HB 706-FN-A, establishing an independent redistricting commission. Ought to Pass with Amendment, Vote 5-0. Supported by ODA. Recommend roll call vote.

The House also meets Thursday, May 23 at 10 a.m. in Representatives Hall, with SB 106 political advocacy bill expected to pass.

SB 104, relative to the postponement of city, town, village, and school district elections. This bill provides the procedures for postponement of town, city, village, and school district elections in the event of a weather or other emergency. The procedures provide the moderator with clear authority and guidance on how to postpone elections without compromising their integrity. This legislation is a melding of SB 104 and HB 408, which was retained by the House Election Law Committee after a lengthy bipartisan effort to address the concerns of the towns and the Secretary of State. The bill is the result of numerous conversations between the Secretary of State’s office, town moderators and the New Hampshire Municipal Association, all of whom reached consensus on the language of the bill. 

SB 106, relative to the definition of political advocacy organization.  This bill requires organizations that spend over $2,500 annually on political advocacy, and that distribute those political communications within 60 days of an election, to register with the Secretary of State. The committee continues to believe that it is important for New Hampshire citizens to know where the political advocacy in their state is coming from and supports this effort to bring more transparency to the process. Vote 20-0. Supported by ODA.

SB 67, relative to the definitions of resident and residency. The effect of this bill is to modify the definition of residency in the NH statutes to enable constitutionally-eligible voters to vote in NH without having to incur financial costs to do so.

SB 68, relative to the centralized voter registration database. A reaction to New Hampshire's participation in the notoriously inaccurate Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck program, this bill limits what information from the centralized voter registration database can be shared with other entities.

Take Action Before Thursday- Tell your Senator to support the HB 706 Nonpartisan Redistricting Commission

Your calls are needed to your senator by to support HB 706. Call now!

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: olivia@opendemocracy.me; (603) 661-8621 (cell)

Rick Bourdon: rick.bourdon@gmail.com; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)

Brian Beihl: Brian@Beihl.org (603) 620-8300 (cell)

The HB 706 nonpartisan redistricting commission bill hit the airwaves this week, as the Senate Elections Law and Municipal Affairs gets ready to vote this Thursday morning. Prime sponsor Rep. Marjorie Smith spoke on May 8 on New Hampshire Public Radio's The Exchange, explaining her bill and the recent amendment to attract more Republican support.

We've incorporated changes into a bill which I believe we have a bill that does everything possible we can do to include the legislature at the start of the process, and at the end of the process, and in the middle have a competent group of people working in the public eye --not behind close doors, but in the public eye-- with hearings in each county, to make sure that we end up with the best possible redistricting.

Open Democracy's Olivia Zink also participated in a discussion in Concord with WKXL's Chris Ryan on May 6, along with Lucas Meyer, to hit the highlights of the bill in an 11-minute segment. Zink said,

“This is really about fundamental representation.  Voters really want to know that they're going to the poll and picking their representatives and know that the system has not been rigged by the party in charge.”

HB 706 gets a vote in the Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs committee this Thursday at 9 a.m., Room 102 of the Legislative Office Building.

Executive Session 9 a.m. Thursday on HB 706 Nonpartisan Redistricting Commission

It's likely that HB 706 will clear the Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs committee this week, but we anxiously await the positions of the committee's Republican members on the proposed amendment giving the legislature a heavier hand in the process. Once approved by the full Senate, it will return to the House for its approval of the amended bill. It is crucial that Republican members of the rest of the Senate hear your comments.

A correction for last week's New Hampshire Democracy Report. We noted that from the application pool, the majority party leaders nominate 10 majority party picks, and the minority leaders pick their 10. Incorrectly we said that “the minority party picks five of the majority party's nominees, and the majority party would pick five of the the minority party's nominees.” That is not accurate. In fact, the majority & minority leaders strikes five nominees from the opposing party's picks, similar to impaneling a jury. The remaining five are to be unaffiliated members, which need to be chosen by a bipartisan vote of the parties' chosen commissioners.

HB 706 is expected soon in the full Senate, but if the amendment passes, it must return to the House for a confirmation vote. Open Democracy Action has testified for the original bill and supports the amendment. Supported by ODA

LLC Loophole Bill SB 156 Gets House Election Law Vote Thursday

House Election Law votes Thursday on the SB 156 bill to close the LLC loophole. While it does not stop the flow of campaign donations, SB 156 would force donors using a limited liability corporation to make campaign donations to disclose who is making the donation and how much. Open Democracy Action testified for the bill in both the House and Senate, and SB 156 passed the Senate by a 13-11 margin. Supported by ODA

Utility Lobbying Bill Passes but Bounces to a Second Committee

SB 206 would prevent public utilities from passing on to customers some of their costs for lobbying and other political activity. In sending the bill on to the House, the vote was 24-0 in the Senate, and the House Election Law committee concurred, endorsing it 18-0 in a nonpartisan vote. A late change to the bill expanded the definition of lobbying and political activity, but the bill was still passed on a voice vote. As a two-committee bill, it now pinballs to the House Science, Technology and Energy committee for a hearing for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Room 304, LOB, followed by an executive session vote at 10:30. Supported by ODA

UPCOMING HEARINGS & COMMITTEE VOTES

Red = Open Democracy Action Priority Bill

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

HOUSE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY, Room 304, LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 206, excluding the cost of lobbying and political activity from the rates of public utilities. An executive session is scheduled for this bill at 10:30.  Supported by ODA

Thursday, May 16, 2019

HOUSE ELECTION LAW, Room 308, LOB

10:00 a.m. Executive session on

SB 71, relative to the election of delegates to party conventions;

SB 105FN, relative to contributions to inaugural committees;

SB 156, to close the LLC Loophole, passed the Senate along party lines, 13 Democrats supporting ans 11 Republicans opposing. The LLC Loophole is exploited by donors who want to anonymously make donations to exceed federal donations to candidates. SB 156 would require disclosure of donors and amounts, but due to the Citizens United decision, can't limit the amounts. Supported by ODA

The committee will also continue work on SB 70, relative to vacancies among primary candidates and prohibiting a candidate from receiving the nomination of more than one party.

SENATE ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 102, LOB

Sen. Levesque (C), Sen. Sherman (VC), Sen. Morgan, Sen. Birdsell, Sen. Gray

9:00 a.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION ON PENDING LEGISLATION, including the HB 706 nonpartisan redistricting commission

10:30 a.m. HB 588, relative to presidential nominations.

11:00 a.m. HB 593, relative to updating official voter checklists.

EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

This Week's Legislature Sessions

The Senate meets this Wednesday, May 15, 2019, at 10 a.m. A number of democracy bills this week, including the previously mentioned HB 429 civic engagement committee bill. The bills coming to the floor from the Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee include:

HB 345, relative to certification of devices for the electronic counting of ballots, Ought to Pass, Vote 3-1.

HB 415, relative to the official ballot referendum form of town meetings. Ought to Pass, Vote 4-0.

HB 429, establishing a committee to study ways to improve civic engagement in New Hampshire. Ought to Pass with Amendment, Vote 4-0. Supported by ODA

HB 452, establishing a commission on the first-in-the-nation presidential primary. Inexpedient to Legislate, Vote 3-0.

HB 539-FN, establishing a committee to study the implementation of the One4All ballot in municipal elections. Ought to Pass with Amendment, Vote 3-0.

The next House of Representatives session will be a week from Thursday, May 23, 10 a.m. We expect SB 206 to return for another full House vote after its second committee vote, as well as the SB 156 LLC Loophole bill.

Don't Let Up - Tell your Senator to support the HB 706 Nonpartisan Redistricting Commission 

Your calls are needed to your senator by to support HB 706. Call now!

Upcoming Open Democracy Events

Screening of Dark Money., Monday, May 20, Canaan, NH

This award-winning political thriller examines one of the greatest threats  to American
democracy; the influence of untraceable corporate money on our elections and elected officials. The film follows an intrepid local journalist working to expose the real-life impacts of the US Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. Through this gripping story, DARK MONEY uncovers the shocking and vital truth of how American elections are bought and sold.

There will be a panel discussion following the film.

Free and open to the public, this is event is sponsored by Open Democracy, Take Back Our Republic, American Promise, Wolf-PAC and Rights and Democracy.

Monday, May 20, 6 pm. Mascoma Valley Reg. High School, Canaan. Please RSVP HERE. 

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: olivia@opendemocracy.me; (603) 661-8621 (cell)

Rick Bourdon: rick.bourdon@gmail.com; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)

Brian Beihl: Brian@Beihl.org (603) 620-8300 (cell)

For campaign finance and Big Money politics reformers, “compromise” can be hard to swallow, especially when the power of the voters is at stake. A bipartisan compromise amendment this week during the Senate committee hearing for HB 706 weakens the power of the voters in some respects (see article below), but satisfies the constitutional concerns by some legislators, and may have strengthened the bill in the eyes of the Governor. 

“There are no problems we cannot solve together,
and very few that we can solve by ourselves.”

– Lyndon B. Johnson

Open Democracy Action supports this compromise. New Hampshire voters might not get as pure a bill, but they will get a bill that is palatable to both parties and the Governor – and voters get a big step forward in Democracy if not a giant leap.      

House & Senate leaders Broker Bipartisan Amendment to HB 706, Enticing Republican Support for Nonpartisan Redistricting

While the majority Democrats were likely to pass HB 706, a compromise amendment to the bill to assure more Republican support and make the bill more palatable to the Governor was proposed in Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs last week. The amendment was proposed by prime sponsor Rep. Marjorie Smith and Senator Jim Gray.

As originally proposed, the 15-member nonpartisan redistricting commission was chosen from a pool of 45 Republicans, Democrats and third party/independents. That pool would not include party leaders, legislators or their family members, big donors or lobbyists. However, the amendment throws out that process, including the prohibitions, and instead creates a pool from applicants who apply via the Secretary of State's office. The applicants must disclose their voting party affiliation, past offices held, and lobbying activity. Current state or federal legislators are prohibited, but their family members are not. Big donors are not prohibited, as was the case with the original bill.

From the application pool, the majority party leaders nominate 10 majority party picks, and the minority leaders pick their 10. This gets complicated, so read carefully: Then the minority party picks five of the majority party's nominees, and the majority party would pick five of the the minority party's nominees. The remaining five are to be unaffiliated members, which need to be chosen by a bipartisan vote of the parties' chosen commissioners.

The amendment also adds a layer of review. Should the full Senate pass the bill, the bill would return to the House for a vote on the amended bill prior to going to the Governor's desk.

The amendment appears to have softened Governor Sununu's position. Previously the Governor had said he was satisfied with the current 2010 districts drawn by then House Speaker William O'Brien. The process was controversial, as outlined in a timeline by Ballotopia. However, in an interview with the Union Leader this week, Governor Sununu stated, “I’ll see where the final bill ends up,” he said. “The initial bill they put forward was incredibly complex. It was well-intended but not very practical in how it was implemented, but where the final bill ends up ... we’ll be interested in taking a look,” said Sununu.

Open Democracy Action has testified for the original bill and supports the amendment. We expect HB 706 to be in the full Senate by mid May. Supported by ODA

HB 297 Passes Senate, Goes to Governor's Desk

After sailing through both the House and Senate Elections Law committees , the full Senate passed HB 297 on a voice vote. This bill takes a small step toward insuring full disclosure of those participating in NH elections by making sure political advertisers are registered with the Secretary of State. Overwhelming votes in the House & Senate committees should convince Governor Sununu to sign the bill in the public interest.  Supported by ODA

Utility Lobbying Bill Expected to Pass Full House Wednesday

SB 206 would prevent public utilities from passing on to customers some of their costs for lobbying and other political activity. In sending the bill on to the House, the vote was 24-0 in the Senate, and the House Election Law committee concurred, endorsing it 18-0 in a nonpartisan vote. A late change to the bill expanded the definition of lobbying and political activity, but the bill was added to the upcoming session's consent calendar of noncontroversial bill and is expected to pass. Supported by ODA

HB 504 Filled Room with Overturn Citizens United Supporters

A packed hearing room and several speakers sent a message of reform to the Senate Elections Law & Municipal Affairs committee. A sweeping proposal for amending the U.S. Constitution, HB 504, came before the Senate Elections Law & Municipal Affairs committee last Wednesday. The legislation calls on the U.S. Congress to support a constitutional amendment which allows Congress and state legislators to regulate money in elections and lobbying, and to require nonpartisan redistricting of voting districts, doing away with gerrymandering. It also calls for a public hearing about the amendment.

Several Open Democracy volunteers testified, several mentioning the 82 New Hampshire towns which passed resolutions calling for the overturning of the Citizens United decision, along with Open Democracy Action's Bob Perry and Rick Bourdon. Democracy allies also testified, including American Promise's Ben Gubits and Jim Rubens, New Hampshire anti-corruption activist and New England chair of Take Back Our Republic.   No one testified in opposition to the bill.   Supported by ODA

UPCOMING HEARINGS & COMMITTEE VOTES

Red = Open Democracy Action Priority Bill

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

HOUSE ELECTION LAW, Room 308, LOB

10:00 a.m. Subcommittee work session on SB 70, relative to vacancies among primary candidates and prohibiting a candidate from receiving the nomination of more than one party.

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

SENATE ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 102, LOB

Sen. Levesque (C), Sen. Sherman (VC), Sen. Morgan, Sen. Birdsell, Sen. Gray

9:00 a.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION ON PENDING LEGISLATION

11:00 a.m. HB 556, allowing municipalities to process absentee ballots prior to election day.

EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

Thursday, May 9, 2019

SENATE ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 102, LOB

Sen. Levesque (C), Sen. Sherman (VC), Sen. Morgan, Sen. Birdsell, Sen. Gray

1:00 p.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION ON PENDING LEGISLATION

Thursday, May 16, 2019

HOUSE ELECTION LAW, Room 308, LOB

10:00 a.m. Executive session on

SB 71, relative to the election of delegates to party conventions;

SB 105FN, relative to contributions to inaugural committees;

SB 156, to close the LLC Loophole, passed the Senate along party lines, 13 Democrats supporting ans 11 Republicans opposing. The LLC Loophole is exploited by donors who want to anonymously make donations to exceed federal donations to candidates. SB 156 would require disclosure of donors and amounts, but due to the Citizens United decision, can't limit the amounts.  Supported by ODA

SB 70, relative to vacancies among primary candidates and prohibiting a candidate from receiving the nomination of more than one party.

EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

This Week's Legislature Sessions

The House has two sessions this week, Wednesday, May 8 at 10 a.m., and Thursday,May 9 at 10 a.m. The most important Democracy bill facing the legislature is SB 206 with a late amendment.

The Senate next meets in full session on Wednesday, May 15 at 10 a.m. There are important Democracy bills pending, including HB 706. Next week's New Hampshire Democracy Report will confirm the docket.

Call your Senator - HB 706 Nonpartisan Redistricting Commission in Senate Election Law this Week, Likely Full Senate in Mid May

Your calls are needed to your senator by to support HB 706. Call now!

Upcoming Open Democracy Events

Community Forum on Campaign Finance Reform. May 9, 7 p.m. 

New Hampshire's campaign finance laws have a rich history, and advocates from the left and right are hard at work to reform them. In this special community forum, which will focus exclusively on state level campaign finance law and reform, leading advocates from the left and right will speak on and debate the issues on one stage.

Free and open to the public (space limited), local residents are invited to attend this unique bi-partisan forum to learn about campaign finance law, efforts to reform them, and how campaign finance affects elections and democratic representation. After a moderated debate, the participants will take questions from the audience.

Moderated by State Representative Kathy Hoelzel, the forum will feature Steve Marchand from the left and Greg Moore from the right.

Doors will open at 6:30 pm, and the event will start at 7:00 p.m. Iber Holmes Gove Middle School Cafeteria, Raymond. Free and open to the public. RSVP Required. Please CLICK HERE.

Screening of Dark Money., Monday, May 20, Canaan, NH

This award-winning political thriller examines one of the greatest threats  to American democracy; the influence of untraceable corporate money on our elections and elected officials. The film follows an intrepid local journalist working to expose the real-life impacts of the US Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. Through this gripping story, DARK MONEY uncovers the shocking and vital truth of how American elections are bought and sold.

There will be a panel discussion following the film.

Free and open to the public, this is event is sponsored by Open Democracy, Take Back Our Republic, American Promise, Wolf-PAC and Rights and Democracy.

Monday, May 20, 6 pm. Mascoma Valley Reg. High School, Canaan. Please RSVP HERE. 

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: olivia@opendemocracy.me; (603) 661-8621 (cell)

Rick Bourdon: rick.bourdon@gmail.com; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)

Brian Beihl: Brian@Beihl.org (603) 620-8300 (cell)

Friday night, author of “Democracy in Chains” Nancy MacLean recounted the strategy and systematic hobbling of our democracy led by billionaires Charles and David Koch. Through a long-game of gerrymandering of voting districts, voter suppression tactics, funneling of dark money to support candidates and SuperPACs, and development of judges who will uphold these actions from the bench, MacLean contends that billionaire donors have fundamentally changed the balance of our democracy. What can be done about it?

“The only lasting way out of this acute crisis is deep structural reform of the rules of government, the kind of reform that you're trying to do here in New Hampshire and others are working on elsewhere.

What kinds of structural reform? We need to stop that flow of corporate money - particularly dark, untraceable, unaccountable money to candidates. We need to bring more voters into participation, through automatic voter registration. We need to rebuild countervailing power to extreme wealth like that of the Koch network whether it's the power of labor unions or community groups, or groups like the Kent Street Coalition.

And as some activists are putting it, and I think beautifully, we need to start thinking about democracy beyond elections. Elections are crucial, they're important. But we need to be thinking about year-round enhanced organization and representation of the people. And we need to unrig the rules that have been so systematically rigged by the other side.”

– Prof. Nancy MacLean

Our current term of the New Hampshire legislature has taken some concrete steps this term against gerrymandering, voting rights and dark money and now has placed legislation before Governor Sununu. But the question remains whether the Governor will side with the people, or with those forces who want to keep the system rigged.        

SB 8 Retained, HB 706 Nonpartisan Redistricting Commission Faces Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs Wednesday

The SB 8 nonpartisan redistricting bill was not unexpectedly retained in House Election Law so HB 706 can move forward in the Senate. The bills are similar, but HB 706 has additional elements which give it the edge. HB 706 also needs to pass through the Senate Finance committee.

The nonpartisan redistricting bill selects 15 commissioners out of a pool of 45 Republicans, Democrats and third party/independents. That pool may not include party leaders, legislators or their family members, big donors or lobbyists.

Help insure passage in committee by attending this hearing, this Wednesday, 10 a.m. Room 102, LOB. Open Democracy Action will be testifying for the bill. We expect HB 706 to be in the full Senate by mid May. Supported by ODA

House Election Law Votes 20-0 for SB 106 Transparency Bill

After a unanimous vote in the full senate, SB106 received another strong endorsement in committee, with a 20-0 vote in House Election Law. The bill now goes on to the full NH House, where it has the votes to pass and be put on the Governor's desk. The bill revises a current statute, closing the loophole that allows groups to not to disclose their electioneering expenditures by restricting their advocacy to communications that do not expressly say vote “for” or “against” a candidate.

The Koch Brothers' Americans for Prosperity New Hampshire arm has testified against such transparency in the past, but did not testify against this bill in the House. Calls are needed to the Governor's office at (603) 271-2121 to ask him to support all upcoming disclosure and transparency bills. Co-Authored and supported by ODA

SB 7 SMART Act Voter Registration Retained

Though the SB 7 SMART Act had passed through Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, the a high price tag quoted by the NH Secretary of State and NH DMV was a sticking point for the House Election Law committee, so the bill was retained in committee for further work. The SB 7 SMART Act, funds changes to the New Hampshire DMV's software to allow voter registration when obtaining a driver's license or other business at the state agency. Supported by ODA

Utility Lobbying Bill Passes House Election Law 18-0

SB 206 would prevent public utilities from passing on to customers some of their costs for lobbying and other political activity. In sending the bill on to the House, the vote was 24-0 in the Senate, and the House Electon Law committee concurred, endorsing it 18-0 in a nonpartisan vote. Should it pass the full house, voters should pay attention to the governor's actions, who has received $7,000 in campaign donations from Eversource, and another $7,000 from NextEra Energy Seabrook LLC, the operator of the Seabrook nuclear power station.

Not coincidentally, it was Gov. Chris Sununu's father, Gov. John H Sununu, who championed the opening of the Seabrook Nuclear Power Station, and was later embroiled in a scheme where the operator of the plant paid half of a top Sununu aide's salary and the salaries or consulting fees of several other Republicans. (Nuclear Power Payments Haunt Sununu : Reports Question Seabrook Operator's Role in New Hampshire, Washington Post, 1989) ) Supported by ODA

HB 297 Transparency Bill Before the Full Senate Thursday

The full Senate will consider HB 297 this week, which requires, as Rep. Wayne Moynihan stated, that “any political advertisements made on behalf of political action committees or political advocacy organizations contain the same name and address on the advertisements as the entity registered with the Secretary of State. The committee received clear evidence that some advertising distributed in the state during campaigns and at other times was being designed in a way to imply it was from a NH community or source when in fact it originated from out of state entities. This bill takes a small step toward insuring full disclosure of those participating in NH elections.” Vote in House Election Law, 19-0; vote in Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs, committee, 5-0. The bill has been added to the Senate Consent calendar, and the session begins Thursday, May 2, at 10 a.m.   OUGHT TO PASS. Supported by ODA To promote transparency, please vote to support this bill

HB 504 Heard in Senate Committee Wednesday

A sweeping proposal for amending the U.S. Constitution, HB 504, comes before the Senate Elections Law & Municipal Affairs committee on Wednesday, Room 102, LOB. The legislation calls on the U.S. Congress to support a constitutional amendment which allows Congress and state legislators to regulate money in elections and lobbying, and to require nonpartisan redistricting of voting districts, doing away with gerrymandering. It also calls for a public hearing about the amendment.

UPCOMING HEARINGS & SESSION VOTES

Red = Open Democracy Action Priority Bill

There are few Democracy bills this week, but an important vote on HB 297 in the full Senate. House Election Law does not meet this week.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

SENATE ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 102, LOB

Sen. Levesque (C), Sen. Sherman (VC), Sen. Morgan, Sen. Birdsell, Sen. Gray

9:20 a.m. HB 504, supports a U.S. Constitutional amendment for fair redistricting, and to control the influence of money in elections. The bill passed the House in a division vote 200 – 149.

9:45 a.m. HB 618-L, relative to the definition of contracts relative to official ballot default budgets.

10:00 a.m. HB 706-FN-A, establishing an independent redistricting commission.

EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

This Week's Session Meetings

The Senate will be meeting this Thursday, May 2 at 10 a.m., with HB 297 being Open Democracy Action's main interest. We expect HB 706 to be before the full Senate by mid May, provided it comes out with a committee OTP recommendations.

The House will meet Thursday, May 2, at 1 p.m, and again on Wednesday, May 8. There are no bills from the Election Law committee on either the consent or the regular calendar. Next week we expect the LLC Loophole bill SB 156 to get a final vote.

Call your Senator - HB 706 Nonpartisan Redistricting Commission in Senate Election Law this Week, Likely Full Senate in Mid May

Your calls are needed to your senator by THIS WEEKEND to support HB 706. True, the Senate has already passed SB 8, but full Senate approval is needed to send this major piece of Democracy legislation to Governor Sununu's desk. Call now!

Invitation to Legislators: See “Dark Money” Movie Prior to Session at NEC Concord 

Special arrangements have been made for legislators to see the acclaimed documentary, “Dark Money,” this Thursday, May 2, at 9 a.m. prior to committee hearings and Session. The showing will take place at New England Colllege's Concord facility, 62 N Main St, Concord. The movie is 98 minutes long, and well worth the watch, according to the Washington Post.

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: olivia@opendemocracy.me; (603) 661-8621 (cell)

Rick Bourdon: rick.bourdon@gmail.com; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)

Brian Beihl: Brian@Beihl.org (603) 620-8300 (cell)

It's baseball season, so a quote from slugger Hank Aaron is appropriate as we prepare ourselves for the second half of the 2019 legislative session:

“You may not think you're going to make it. You may want to quit. But if you keep your eye on the ball, you can accomplish anything.”

It is critical that we keep our eye on the legislation we worked so hard to move forward in the beginning of the term, and keep the pressure on to ensure passage. Call your representatives; write a letter to the editor; show up for a hearing or vote; hold a sign.

Our legislators need to know that you've not taken your eye off the ball.

Crucial Votes Tuesday for SB 7 SMART Act Voter Registration and SB 8 Nonpartisan Redistricting Commission

Two important bills face committee votes this week in the House Election Law committee on Tuesday afternoon, 1 p.m, in room 308 of the LOB. The Senate's voting rights bill, the SB 7 SMART Act, funds changes to the New Hampshire DMV's software to allow voter registration when obtaining a driver's license or other business at the state agency. The SMART Act passed the Senate, 13-10. Supported by ODA

The SB 8 nonpartisan redistricting bill also faces a House committee vote immediately following SB 7. Because HB 706 has not yet been considered in the Senate, we expect SB 8 to be retained in deference to the slightly expanded HB 706, though the bills are quite comparable. However, it is still critical that your message of in support for HB 706 be sent to your Senator ASAP. Supported by ODA

House Election Law Votes Thursday on SB 106 Transparency Bill

SB106 revises a current statute, closing the loophole that allows groups to not to disclose their electioneering expenditures by restricting their advocacy to communications that do not expressly say vote “for” or “against” a candidate. Open Democracy Action's Gordon Allen testified in a written statement,

“This has allowed groups conducting large independent political campaigns to avoid registering with the secretary of state as “political advocacy organizations” as the law intended. These have been national groups conducting independent campaigns – estimated to spend millions on our NH primary and general elections. Because of this loophole, NH voters are being denied the right to know who these groups really are and how much they spend to defeat or elect their targeted candidates.”

Opposing testimony from Americans for Prosperity had been expected, but no one in testified in opposition of the bill. Open Democracy Action's Rick Bourdon, Bob Perry, Gordon Allen and Olivia Zink all testified in favor of the bill.

The amendment to the bill threw out some of the original language and set a threshold of $2500 of political communications or advertising at which the group becomes a political advocacy group. SB 106 passed unanimously in the Senate. The executive session begins at 11 a.m. Thursday, room 308 of the LOB. Co-Authored and supported by ODA

Committee Vote Tuesday on Whether Utilities May Pass on Costs of Lobbying to Ratepayers

SB 206 would prevent public utilities from passing on to customers some of their costs for lobbying and other political activity. On big, controversial projects like Northern Pass or pipelines, this amount can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars. SB 206 passed the Senate 24-0. Room 308 of the LOB, beginning at 1 p.m. Supported by ODA

UPCOMING HEARINGS & SESSION VOTES

Red = Open Democracy Action Priority Bill

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

HOUSE ELECTION LAW, Room 308, LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 71, relative to the election of delegates to party conventions.

10:30 a.m. SB 105-FN, relative to contributions to inaugural committees.

1:00 p.m. Executive session on:

SB 7-FN-L, SMART ACT; establishing the secure modern accurate registration act Supported by ODA

SB 8, establishing an independent redistricting commission; Supported by ODA

SB 206, excluding the cost of lobbying and political activity from the rates of public utilities; Supported by ODA

SB 283-FN, relative to post-election audits of electronic ballot counting devices.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2019

SENATE ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 102, LOB

Sen. Levesque (C), Sen. Sherman (VC), Sen. Morgan, Sen. Birdsell, Sen. Gray

9:00 a.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION ON PENDING LEGISLATION

10:00 a.m. HB 345, relative to certification of devices for the electronic counting of ballots.

10:15 a.m. HB 452, establishing a commission on the first-in-the-nation presidential primary.

10:45 a.m. HB 611-FN, allowing voters to vote by absentee ballot.

11:30 a.m. HB 651, allowing the use of campaign funds for child care expenses.

Thursday, April 25, 2019

HOUSE ELECTION LAW, Room 308, LOB

11:00 a.m. Executive session on

SB 44, relative to election procedures, delivery of ballots, and assents to candidacy;

SB 45, relative to electioneering at polling places;

SB 66, relative to political contributions by candidates for certain offices;

SB 67, relative to the definitions of resident and residency;

SB 68, relative to the centralized voter registration database;

SB 70, relative to vacancies among primary candidates and prohibiting a candidate from receiving the nomination of more than one party;

SB 104-L, relative to the postponement of city, town, village, and school district elections;

SB 106, relative to the definition of political advocacy organization. Supported by ODA

SENATE ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 102, LOB

Sen. Levesque (C), Sen. Sherman (VC), Sen. Morgan, Sen. Birdsell, Sen. Gray

Note: The Committee will meet at 1:00 p.m. or 30 minutes following the end of Session.

1:15 p.m. HB 415, relative to the official ballot referendum form of town meetings.

1:45 p.m. HB 531, relative to the delivery of absentee ballots cast by elderly or disabled citizens.

2:00 p.m. HB 315, relative to the Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program.

EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

This Week's Session Meetings

The Senate will be meeting this Thursday April 25 at 10 a.m., though no Democracy bills are scheduled for a full Senate vote. We anxiously await HB 706 in the Senate after SB 8 is decided in the House. Be prepared to attend the State House in force as HB 706 is heard.

The next House sessions will be on Thursday, May 2 at 1 p.m. and likely Wednesday and Thursday, May 8 & 9. Because of the several Democracy bills being heard in committee this week, the next sessions will be important ones for mobilization. Please mark your calendars.

Last Week's Hearings

LLC Loophole Bill SB 156 Hearing Faces Little Opposing Testimony

Prime sponsor Sen. Dan Feltes and Open Democracy Executive Director Olivia Zink testified in support in House Election Law committee last week, with little opposition and few questions from lawmakers. SB 156 would force donors using a limited liability corporation to make campaign donations to disclose who is making the donation and how much. SB 156 passed the Senate by a 13-11 margin. Supported by ODA Hearing

Study Committee to Enhance Civic Engagement, HB 429 Heard

HB 429 faced little only one question from Sen. Sherman after testimony from Olivia Zink, and no opposing testimony. HB 429 creates a committee to study how civic engagement can be expanded in the state. We support the creation of this committee, as did House Election Law in a 19-0 vote. Supported by ODA

Final Push for HB 706: LTEs, Contacts with Legislators Needed

While we don't have a date for action on HB 706 in the Senate, the time to act is now! We need to get your letters in the pipeline, and please try to educate the groups in your universe about the importance of having a nonpartisan redistricting commission. Thanks to Concord's Mary Wilke, whose letter, “If you want fairness in elections, end gerrymandering” was published this last week in the Concord Monitor.

If HB 706 passes in the Senate, Governor Sununu may need to be persuaded to pass it. The governor needs to understand the consequences of acting against the New Hampshire electorate, who support a nonpartisan approach to redistricting. Once you've sent your letter to the papers, make sure to send a copy of it to Governor Sununu.

Friday: National Book Award Finalist Nancy MacLean, Author of Democracy in Chains, April 26

If you're planning to attend the address by Nancy MacLean, you must Register ASAP to guarantee your seat. The event is this Friday, April 26, 6 p.m. at the Puritan Back Room in Manchester. Tickets are $60.00, and proceeds benefit Open Democracy's mission.

Prof. MacLean is the William H. Chafe Professor of History and Public Policy at Duke University and author, most recently, of Democracy in Chains.

Published this past June, Democracy in Chains was a finalist for the National Book Award, and the winner of the Lannan Foundation Cultural Freedom Award, the Los Angeles Times Book Award in Current Affairs, and the Lillian Smith Book Award. The Nation magazine named it the “Most Valuable Book”of the year.  

Want to learn more about Professor MacLean? Read an interview done when she received her National Book Award nomination.

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: olivia@opendemocracy.me; (603) 661-8621 (cell)

Rick Bourdon: rick.bourdon@gmail.com; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)

Brian Beihl: Brian@Beihl.org (603) 620-8300 (cell)