NH House & Senate Election Law Legislation Action Page
For members of the public wishing to follow legislation on election and democracy issues, Open Democracy Action provides this tool to learn more, follow developments and take action. The NH House & Senate allow for Granite State voters to remotely register support or opposition to pending legislation. While this is NOT a substitute to calling or writing your state rep or senator, it is fast and easy to do and may give the committee a general impression of support for a bill, and the totals become part of the permanent record. This page will change on Fridays during the legislative season, January through June. Scroll down to see what happened the previous week. If you have questions about this process, please contact Sara Lobdell, Program Coordinator, Open Democracy Action Good news! House Election Law has begun calling for the count of remote sign-ins at the end of every hearing. Many of them have been 50-1, 80-1 or even higher margins. Well done, people! AND, the House has implemented a link where you can see WHO and HOW MANY people signed in on bills, and if they submitted written testimony, you can read it! Wow, some innovation out of the General Court for a change!
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NH House Sign in Instructions NH Senate Sign-In Instructions |
Week of April 29 - May 6, 2022
Full House Session: Wednesday, May 4, 2022 @ 10AM and Thursday, May 5, 2022 @ 9AM in Representatives Hall |
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House session complete | Click for details | Comments | |
CALL |
Ought to pass with amendment |
relative to verification of voter affidavits. |
Call your Rep and urge them to OPPOSE SB418 because it: -violates voter privacy -disenfranchises overseas military/overseas citizens -jeopardizes First in the Nation status -could disenfranchise same-day registrants who register for the first-time in NH, if they don't follow up with the Secretary of State with ID within 7 days. If you have a relationship with these key Reps, please contact them and express your opposition. |
CALL |
Ought to pass with amendment #1702h |
relative to the election of district commissioners in Haverhill. Congressional districts amended to this bill. |
Call your Rep to OPPOSE the Congressional districts because they are: -Not competitive -Did not have a public hearing These districts are almost identical in lack of competitiveness to the Congressional districts the Governor originally vowed to veto. |
CALL |
Ought to Pass with amendment |
establishing the personal privacy protection act. Prohibits public agencies and public bodies from releasing any list, record, register, registry, roll, roster or other compilation of data of any kind. |
Call your Rep to OPPOSE SB302 because it: DECREASES transparency in government, in a time when we need more transparency. Makes it more difficult to track Dark money. |
Full Senate Session: Thursday, May 5, 2022 @ 10AM Senate Chamber |
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Senate session complete | Click for details | Comments | |
CALL |
HB144
Ought to pass with amendment
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relative to absentee ballot request forms |
Call your Senator to SUPPORT this bill, as it makes "illness or medical condition" a reason to request an absentee ballot. Adding this as a reason to request an absentee ballot allows access to the vote for folks who might not be able to vote in-person, but who do not qualify to vote under the other currently accepted reasons to request an absentee ballot. |
Week of April 22 - April 29, 2022
House Special Committee on Redistricting, April 27, 2022, 11:00AM - 5:00PM, Legislative Office Building Room 201-203. Executive Session on SB200 (Congressional Districts) |
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Click to EMAIL | Click for details | Comments | ||
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10:00 AM |
OTP with amendment #1702h |
relative to the election of district commissioners in Haverhill. (Congressional districts amended to this bill) |
At the public hearing on Governor Sununu's Congressional districts (4/22) it was made clear the committee intends to amend the Governor's proposal and "make it better." Please email the committee and ask for Congressional districts that are: -Competitive, where there are as equal as possible populations of voters of both major parties so that all voters have an equal shot at electing their candidate -Competitive, so that candidates are accountable to and work in the best interests of all voters -Assure communities are fairly represented -Anything else you'd like to add from previous testimony on what makes a fair map To call attention to your testimony, consider writing in bold purple to highlight that NH is a purple state, and we want a purple map. |
House Finance Committee, Division I, Tuesday April 26, 2022, 1:00PM, Legislative Office Building, Room 212 House Finance Full Committee, Wednesday April 27, 2022, 3:00PM, Legislative Office Building, Room 210-211 Tuesday is the work meeting (not a public hearing) on SB418, Wednesday is the full committee vote. Please email BOTH Division I of the Finance Committee, and the full committee the following concerns related to the fiscal note of SB418. |
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Click to EMAIL Committee | Click for details | Comments | ||
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EMAIL Division IEMAIL Full Committee |
Passed |
relative to verification of voter affidavits.
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The goal is to have the fiscal committee determine that the price paid for SB418 in dollars is too costly to implement the bill. To that end, SB418 will be: -Costly to municipalities in money and staff time implementing the more cumbersome same-day registration packet -Likely more costly than the $685,000 estimate, because the state will need to overestimate the # of pre-paid mailers supplied to each polling place. Overestimation is necessary so polling places don't run out of provisional ballot ID verification packets, which would inhibit folks who need to take the packet from voting if they did run out. -Cost overseas military voters and overseas citizens their vote (which could cost NH money if NH does not follow the federal requirement to mail overseas ballots 45 days before the election, as would not be possible under SB418). |
Governor Sununu - call/email to urge the Governor to commit to vetoing the gerrymandered Senate and Executive Council maps that passed the NH House this week. |
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Click to CALL | Click to CALL/EMAIL | Click for details | Comments | |
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603-271-2121 |
Info on map here |
apportioning state senate districts |
Proposed Senate districts for 2020-2030. -Would guarantee a veto-proof partisan supermajority in the Senate -Prioritized incumbent Senators, rather than communities of interest or competitive districts Overall, a gerrymandered and uncompetitive map that doesn't give voters a fair choice in their Senator. |
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603-271-2121
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Info on map here |
apportioning executive council districts |
Proposed Executive Council districts for 2020-2030. -District 2 packed with Dem leaning towns, making Repub votes matter less. -District 4 packed with Repub leaning towns, making Dem votes matter less. Overall, a gerrymandered and uncompetitive map that doesn't give voters a fair choice in their Executive Councilors. |
Week of April 15 - April 22, 2022
House Special Committee on Redistricting, 10AM-5PM, LOB, Room 201-203, Friday April 22, 2022 | T = Written/In-person testimony needed. | |||
Click the Thumb to sign in | Click for details | Comments | ||
Neutral or ![]() |
10:00 AM |
T(testimony can be in pdf or text form directly on the sign-in page) Oppose: 26 Neutral: 3 Support: 0 |
A Congressional Redistricting Map (the Governor's idea here) is being amended to this bill. relative to the election of district commissioners in Haverhill. |
Testimony could focus on: 1.Competitiveness: this map is better than the map the Governor vowed to veto, but could still do more to make the districts competitive. 2. Deviation: the population deviation between the 2 districts is higher than generally accepted for a Congressional map. The deviation could be lowered by swapping Loudon and Epsom between districts. There will be a visibility 9-10AM outside the LOB. Bring a sign and stand with us for fair maps! |
Full House Session Thursday, April 21st, 2022 starting 9:00AM House Chamber |
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Click to Email | Click to See Details | Comments | ||
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CALL(especially these Reps) |
Amendment here
PASSED 180-154 |
relative to verification of voter affidavits. |
-violates voter privacy -disenfranchises overseas military/overseas citizens -jeopardizes First in the Nation status -if same-day registrants who register for the first-time in NH don't come to the polls with a photo ID, they have to take the provisional ballot. If they don't return ID information to the SOS within 7 days of election, their vote gets deducted. Has the potential to disenfranchises voters who don't have a photo ID and move to NH, and Granite Staters turning 18 who don't have an ID. |
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CALL
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Info on map here PASSED |
apportioning state senate districts. |
Proposed Senate districts for 2020-2030. -Would guarantee a veto-proof partisan supermajority in the Senate -Prioritized incumbent Senators, rather than communities of interest or competitive districts Overall, a gerrymandered and uncompetitive map that doesn't give voters a fair choice in their Senator. |
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CALL
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Info on map here PASSED |
apportioning executive council districts. |
Proposed Executive Council districts for 2020-2030. -District 2 packed with Dem leaning towns, making Repub votes matter less. -District 4 packed with Repub leaning towns, making Dem votes matter less. Overall, a gerrymandered and uncompetitive map that doesn't give voters a fair choice in their Executive Councilors. |
Week of April 8 - April 15, 2022
House Special Committee on Redistricting, 10:00-4:30PM, April 14, 2022, LOB 201-203 | T = Written/In-person testimony needed. Click on the T for testimony tips | |||
Sign in Closed | Click to see details | Comments | ||
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10:00 AM |
TCommittee vote: Ought to Pass 8-7 |
apportioning state senate districts. |
Majority party's Senate redistricting map for 2020-2030. This map would likely guarantee a veto-proof partisan supermajority in the Senate, and needs to be amended so that ALL Granite Staters can have competitive, fair elections for the next decade. Click the "T" to learn how the map affects your community, and email the Committee your testimony: [email protected]
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10:30 AM |
TCommittee vote: Ought to Pass 8-7 |
apportioning executive council districts. | Majority party's Executive Council redistricting map with amendment. This amendment "fixes" gerrymandered District 2 by packing more Democrat-leaning towns into District 2, and more Republican-leaning towns into District 4. The votes of voters in the opposite party in these districts will not be heard in the next decade's elections. Click the "T" to learn how the map affects your community, and
and email the Committee your testimony: [email protected]
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House Election Law Committee, Wednesday, April 13th, 2022 *Executive Session* No sign-ins. Please send the Committee an email to support SB425 and oppose SB418. |
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Executive Session Complete | Click to see details | Comments | ||
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Committee vote: 11-9 Ought to Pass with amendment |
relative to verification of voter affidavits. | creates a provisional ballot system where ballots will be deducted from the count if certain voters fail to certify their identity post-election. Will cast more doubt on elections that are already safe and secure, will disenfranchise the UOCAVA overseas military vote, and may cause NH to lose FITN status. TALKING POINTS | |
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Committee vote: 11-9 Inexpedient to Legislate |
relative to the establishment of an election information portal. | Will modernize NH's elections and make it easier for folks to submit information to the clerk to register to vote, and change information (like address, party, etc) in their voter file. |
Week of April 1 - April 8, 2022
House Election Law, 10:00-1:00PM, April 8, 2022, LOB 306-308 | T = Written/In-person testimony needed. Click on the T for testimony tips | |||
Sign in CLOSED | Click to see details | Comments | ||
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10:00 AM |
Support: 3 Oppose: 16 |
relative to political expenditures and contributions. |
Relaxes current campaign finance regulations by allowing candidate committees, non-candidate political committees and political advocacy organizations unlimited contributions to the same. Allows persons or corporations unlimited contributions to political advocacy organizations. |
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10:30 AM |
Support: 60 Oppose: 4 |
relative to the establishment of an election information portal. |
This is a priority bill for ODA that modernizes NH's elections and makes the voting registration process easier for voters. An election information portal would allow voters to easily and electronically input information into a system for town/city clerks approval. Voters could input registration info, change voter registration, request an absentee ballot, and change mailing or domicile addresses. |
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11:00 AM |
TSupport: 86 Oppose: 868
Talking points the same for the amended bill, EXCEPT that same-day registrants are NOT required to take a provisional ballot, unless they are registering for the first time in NH. |
relative to verification of voter affidavits. | creates a provisional ballot system where ballots will be deducted from the count if voters who come to the polls without photo ID fails to provide adequate documentation proving identity and domicile within 10 days. Will cast more doubt on elections that are already safe and secure, will disenfranchise the UOCAVA overseas military vote, and may cause NH to lose FITN status. |
Week of March 25 - April 1, 2022
NH Senate Session, March 31st, 10AM, Senate Chamber *Floor Vote* No Sign in. See guidance below. |
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Click to see details | Comments | |||
13-11 passed, will next be heard in the House |
(Talking points the same for the amended bill, EXCEPT that same-day registrants are NOT required to take a provisional ballot) |
relative to verification of voter affidavits |
SB418 was amended and passed in committee. The amendment removes same-day voters from the group of people required to take a provisional ballot, but that does not go far enough to change this bill's potential to disenfranchise. Our next opportunity to stop this bill is at the full Senate vote this Thursday. Please call your NH Senator to oppose this BAD bill. See talking points for full details. It is a Big Lie bill intended to do an end-run around New Hampshire's Qualified Voter Affidavit system, which NH chose to do to accept Help America Vote Act (HAVA) fund. It creates a system of provisional ballots of a different identifying color which will be deducted from the count if the voter fails to return with adequate documentation proving identity and domicile. |
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Passed, will next be heard in the House
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SB425 | relative to the establishment of an election information portal |
This is a priority bill for ODA that modernizes NH's elections and makes the voting registration process easier for voters. An election information portal would allow voters to easily and electronically input information into a system for town/city clerks approval. Voters could input registration info, change voter registration, request an absentee ballot, and change mailing or domicile addresses. |
Week of March 18 - March 25, 2022
NH Senate Session, March 24th, 9AM-1PM, Senate Chamber *Floor Vote* No Sign in. See guidance below. |
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Click to see Details | Comments | |||
special ordered to next week, vote will be next week |
(Talking points the same for the amended bill, EXCEPT that same-day registrants are NOT required to take a provisional ballot) |
relative to verification of voter affidavits |
SB418 was amended and passed in committee. The amendment removes same-day voters from the group of people required to take a provisional ballot, but that does not go far enough to change this bill's potential to disenfranchise. Our next opportunity to stop this bill is at the full Senate vote this Thursday. Please call your NH Senator to oppose this BAD bill. See talking points for full details. It is a Big Lie bill intended to do an end-run around New Hampshire's Qualified Voter Affidavit system, which NH chose to do to accept Help America Vote Act (HAVA) fund. It creates a system of provisional ballots of a different identifying color which will be deducted from the count if the voter fails to return with adequate documentation proving identity and domicile. |
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Passed (12-10) with amendment 1188s |
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apportioning executive council districts |
SB241 unamended is the Executive Council redistricting map that is identical to NH's current redistricting map (with the "Dragon" District 2). Sen. Gray released an amendment that will be taken up Thursday on the floor. While District 2 no longer stretches from river to sea, the amendment does not change that the district is full of Democrat leaning towns. Further, there has been no public hearing on this bill; no chance for the public to weigh in on changes. Call your Senator to oppose SB241 and ANY amendments that are not competitive and have not been given a public hearing. |
Week of March 11 - March 18, 2022
Full NH Senate Session, March 17th 9AM, Senate Chamber *Floor Vote* No Sign in on these bills. Please call your NH Senator and urge them to amend these maps so they are competitive, not gerrymandered. |
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Session over CALL |
HB52 |
apportioning congressional districts. Senate passed 13-11 |
This is the House's approved bill, which rigs CD1 & CD2 to both be uncompetitive. CD2 gets packed with Democratic-leaning towns, while CD1 is packed with Republican-leaning towns, breaking a 140-year tradition. The Princeton Gerrymandering Project, the ACLU and NH's Map-a-Thon project all have determined that the map is uncompetitive and gerrymandered. | |
CALL |
SB241 |
apportioning executive council districts |
This is the Majority's proposed EC districts, that are the same as the 2010 gerrymandered districts. These districts include the "Dragon" district 2 that spans the state and is packed with Democrat-leaning towns, leaving the other districts more Republican-leaning. |
Full NH House Session, March 15-17th, House Chamber *Floor Vote* No Sign in. See guidance on each bill below. |
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Session over Call |
HB1203 | relative to domicile residency, voter registration, and investigation of voter verification letters, and relative to the terms "resident," "inhabitant," "residence," and "residency." |
Please call your NH Representative and urge them to "Table" this bill. This is a good bill, that got stuck with a BAD amendment. We are opposing the bill as amended, which has the potential to make voting burdensome for folks who move frequently/have moved recently. It also includes language similar to language that was struck down by the NH Supreme Court in the SB3 case. |
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Call |
Laid on Table |
establishing ranked-choice voting for state party primary elections and municipal elections. |
Please call your NH Representative and urge them to pass/support this bill. |
NH Senate Election Law, March 14th, 2022 *Executive Session* No Sign in. Please call Chairman Gray to vote "Interim Study" on SB418. An amendment was brought forth to clarify some language on this bill, but it's too little too late. The entire premise of this bill has negative consequences for voting rights and should be opposed. We're asking the committee to "study" the bill, with the hope that it will die in study and not be re-introduced. |
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Executive Session Over CALL |
Hearing results: Support: 82 Oppose: 177 Neutral: 0 OTP with amendment |
relative to verification of voter affidavits | This is a Big Lie bill intended to do an end-run around New Hampshire's Qualified Voter Affidavit system, which NH chose to do to accept Help America Vote Act (HAVA) fund. It creates a system of provisional ballots of a different identifying color which will be deducted from the count if the voter fails to return with adequate documentation proving identity and domicile. This bill adversely affects students and the poor, resulting in disenfranchisement. ODA strongly opposes this bill. |
Week of March 4 - March 11, 2022
NH House Election Law, March 9th, 2022 *Executive Session Bills Below* No Sign in on these bills, but we encourage you to call/email the Committee to oppose these bills and vote "Inexpedient to Legislate." |
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Executive Session Complete |
HB1473-FN (interim study) HB 1064-FN (ITL) HB 1485-FN (ITL) HB 1542-FN (ITL) HB 1543-FN (ITL) CACR 15 (OTP with amendment 11-9) HB 1567-FN (OTP with amendment 12 - 8) |
Call/Email |
One email for all bills is fine. These are all Big Lie bills we have opposed in the past. Scroll down for more details on each bill if needed, they are all described further down the page. Many of these bills propose a solution where no problem exists, so your call/email might include the sentiment that "if it ain't broke...don't fix it." Or, why spend taxpayer money on sham election reviews, when our election has already been certified? Or a message based in voting rights, that ALL votes and all voices matter, elections are already secure and fair, no need to make it more complicated for the public to vote. |
Senate Election Law, 1-4PM, March 7, 2022, State House, Room 100 |
T= Written/In-Person Testimony Needed Click on the T for testimony tips |
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Sign in CLOSED | Click to see details | Comments | ||
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1:00 PM |
Support: 6 Oppose: 95 Neutral: 0 |
relative to the definition of electioneering. | Repeals the prohibition on electioneering related to clothing and/or paraphernalia for non-election officials. |
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1:15 PM |
HB144
Support: 151 Oppose: 9
Neutral: 0
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relative to absentee ballot request forms. | A bill that expands storm-related reasons for requesting an absentee ballot, and modernizes language around domicile location. |
Week of February 25 - March 4, 2022
No Hearings in NH Senate or House Election Law.
Week of February 18 - February 25, 2022
Week of February 11 - February 18, 2022
House Floor Vote - Not a Hearing |
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NH House, February 16, 2022 |
Click on "Call" to find your Representative's number, and "Talking Points" for information to share with your Rep. |
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Sign in CLOSED for this bill. | Click to see details | Comments/Results | ||
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Call |
relative to campaign contributions and expenditures, and making an appropriation therefor. |
Priority Bill: One of Granny D's signature reforms, ODA's Honest Elections public funding of elections bill will not only reduce the influence of special interests, it will help candidates without big money funding to compete. It distributes four $25 Voter Dollars certificates to registered voters to donate to the gubernatorial or Executive Council candidates of their choice. This bill is being voted on by the full NH House on Wednesday, Feb 16th. Please call your NH House Rep urging them to support this bill. |
Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs, February 14, 2022, 1:00 - 4:00PM, State House, Room 100 |
T= Written/In-Person Testimony Needed Click on the T for testimony tips! |
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Sign in CLOSED for these bills | Click to see details | Comments/Results | ||
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1:00 PM |
TSupport: 69 Oppose: 2 Committee rec: Interim Study |
relative to political contributions made by limited liability companies | An important bill for campaign finance reform that closes the LLC loophole, which currently lets business owners make multiple campaign contributions to a single candidate beyond the current contribution limit of $15,000. SB248 closes this loophole by requiring political contributions be allocated to per LLC's members, rather than per LLC itself, for purposes of determining whether contribution limits have been exceeded. |
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1:15 PM |
Support: 11 Oppose: 28 |
relative to political expenditures and contributions. |
Defines the limit on political contributions made by a person, corporation, candidate committee, non-candidate political committee, or political advocacy organization. However, wording is confusing as relates to contributions by partnerships and unions - are these contributions prohibited? Or prohibited only in excess of the defined limits? We are asking you to oppose this bill until we have more information/clarity on the bill's writing. |
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1:30 PM |
Support: 61 Oppose: 1 OTP with amendment |
relative to absentee ballot outer envelopes. | Removes the requirement that absentee ballots be placed in outer envelopes, unless returned by mail to town or city clerk. Allows clerks to open outer envelopes of absentee ballots marked "not registered" to look at registration paperwork and notify voter so that voter may correct paperwork if paperwork is incomplete within 7 days of receiving ballot. |
Week of February 5 - February 11, 2022
*Executive Session* - No Testimony Taken |
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Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs Committee, February 7, 2022, 1 - 4PM, State House, Room 100 |
T = Written/In-Person Testimony Needed | |||
Sign in for this bill's hearing is now CLOSED |
Click to see details |
Comments / Results | ||
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apportioning state representative districts. | We *think* this bill, the NH house district maps, will be voted on in committee on Monday. Click on the "Email" link to send a final email to the committee members before their executive session, urging them to oppose these gerrymandered maps. |
Week of January 28 - February 4, 2022
NH Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs, Jan. 31, 2022, 1 pm - 4 pm ***Representatives Hall*** 2nd Floor, State House |
T = Written/In-Person Testimony Needed | |||
Sign in is now closed |
Click to see details | Comments / Results | ||
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1:00 PM |
OTP with Amendment (3-2) Senate Laid on Table |
residency for the purpose of voting. Providing that only residents of the state may vote in elections. | This proposed NH Constitutional amendment adds these two sentences: "All elections are to be free, and every person who is a citizen of the United States and a citizen of the state of New Hampshire, and 18 years of age and upwards shall have an equal right to vote in any election. Every person shall be considered a citizen of the state of New Hampshire for the purposes of voting in town, ward, or unincorporated place where that person is domiciled and has primary residency." Sounds innocuous enough, but the definition of "primary residency" may be another effort to keep college students legally domiciled in NH from voting. |
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1:20 PM |
Interim study (3-2) |
establishing redistricting criteria. | Currently there is limited constitutional or statute criteria for redistricting, which allows legislators to gerrymander for partisan advantage. This bill defines -- only for the NH House and Senate districts, "communities of interest" as similarities of interests, including but not limited to racial, ethnic, economic, social, cultural, geographic, or historic identities. Communities of interest shall not include common relationships with political parties or political candidates," and prohibits "unduly favoring or disfavoring any political party, incumbent, or candidate for office." ODA supports this bill, but urges the Senate to include the Executive Council in this statute. |
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1:45 PM |
THearing: Support: 5 Oppose: 376 Committee Vote: Ought to Pass with Amendment #0560s Full Senate: Passed 14-10 House Concurs |
apportioning state representative districts. | The majority's proposal passed the House with few changes. We oppose this bill because it gerrymanders some districts for partisan gain, but more importantly denies 56 towns their NH Constitution-guaranteed dedicated House seats, when the Map-a-Thon proved that number could be substantially lower. An amendment has been proposed which includes changes to Coos County & Hillsborough County. |
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1:45 PM |
THearing: Support 5 Oppose 547 Committee vote: OTP without amendment
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apportioning congressional districts. | This is the House's approved bill, which rigs CD1 & CD2 to both be uncompetitive. CD2 gets packed with Democratic-leaning towns, while CD1 is packed with Republican-leaning towns, breaking a 140-year tradition. The Princeton Gerrymandering Project, the ACLU and NH's Map-a-Thon project all have determined that the map is uncompetitive and gerrymandered. ODA strongly opposes this bill. Amendments are expected to this bill, but have not yet been posted. |
Week of January 21 - Jan 28, 2022
NH Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs, Jan. 26, 1-4 pm, State House, Rm 100
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T = Written/In-Person Testimony Needed | |||
Sign in is now CLOSED for bills below |
Click to see details | Comments / Results | ||
Neutral | 1:45 PM |
Support: 1 Oppose: 0 Committee Vote: OTP (3-2) |
apportioning county commissioner districts. |
This is the state's voting district map of county commissioner seats. Neither ODA nor the Map-a-Thon Project has taken a position on these maps. |
Neutral | 1:45 PM |
Support: 5 Oppose: 0 Committee Vote: OTP (3-2) Amended By Senate House Concurs |
apportioning delegates to state party conventions. | This map apportions political party delegates who will attend state conventions of the parties. There was some question in the House Special Committee as to why this was even a function of the state legislature. Neither ODA nor the Map-a-Thon Project has taken a position on this map. |
NH House
No House Election Law this week.
Week of January 17 - 23, 2022
NEW HAMPSHIRE HOUSE
House Election Law, January 19, 2022, LOB, Rm 306-308 | T = Written/In-Person Testimony Needed | |||
Sign in is now CLOSED for bills below |
Click to see details | Comments / Results | ||
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9:45 AM |
Hearing Support: 54 Oppose: 2 Neutral: 0 Inexpedient to Legislate
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relative to political contributions made by certain business entities. |
This amend RSA 664:4 to ban political contributions by any person or business entity that has received any grant from the state of New Hampshire in the last 2 years. |
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10:00 AM |
Hearing Support: 69 Oppose: 3 Neutral: 0 |
relative to permissible campaign contributions by business organizations and labor unions. |
ODA's "Corporate Ban" bill, which keeps business entities from using money our the corporation's treasury as campaign contributions. Instead, they must use segregated funds for such activities, such as individual contributions by employees held in one fund. |
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10:30 AM |
Hearing Support: 63 Oppose: 2 Neutral: 0 |
relative to the reporting of certain campaign contributions and relative to political contributions made by limited liability companies. |
Amends RSA 664 to insert LLCs into the requirements that "any political committee, political advocacy organization, or candidate that makes a contribution to any other committee, organization, or candidate of over $1,000 that is comprised of funds received from donations, contributions, dues, or gifts from a different entity shall include the total amount and source of such funds in any report required to be submitted pursuant to this chapter." LLCs are a source of Dark Money because it is difficult to trace back ownership of the LLC. |
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10:45 AM |
Hearing TSupport: 95 Oppose: 8 Neutral: 0
inexpedient to legislate (ITL) |
relative to campaign contributions and expenditures, and making an appropriation therefor. |
Priority Bill: One of Granny D's signature reforms, ODA's Honest Elections public funding of elections bill will not only reduce the influence of special interests, it will help candidates without big money funding to compete. It distributes four $25 Voter Dollars certificates to registered voters to donate to the gubernatorial or Executive Council candidates of their choice. Written testimony encouraged by Tuesday night for distribution Wednesday, January 19. |
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11:00 AM |
Hearing Support: 13 Oppose: 140 Neutral: 1 ITL |
relative to documentation required to prove a voter's eligibility to vote. | This Big Lie bill attempts to make voters who do not have/own a state identification to fill out a "provisional" ballot, which would NOT BE COUNTED unless the voter returns the same day. This could disenfranchise the poor, the elderly, young voters, disabled and other voters for who do not have or can't afford a state ID at a cost of $50. |
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1:30 PM |
Hearing Support: 126 Oppose: 6 Neutral: 0 ITL |
relative to access to election and voter information. | This bill allows, and sets costs for, the distribution of voter checklist information in multiple languages. Reportedly, the bill will be amended to include voter registration information in multiple languages for cities where compliance with the Voting Rights Act thresholds are met. |
NH Senate
Week of January 10 - 16, 2022
NEW HAMPSHIRE HOUSE
NH SENATE
NH Democracy Report
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 our recent newsletters:
2021
June 4, 2021 NH Democracy Report
May 24, 2021 NH Demcracy Report
May 17, 2021 NH Democracy Report
May 10, 2021 NH Democracy Report
May 3, 2021 NH Democracy Report
April 26, 2021 NH Democracy Report
April 18, 2021 NH Democracy Report
No report April 12
April 5, 2021 NH Democracy Report
March 28, 2021 NH Democracy Report
March 21, 2021 NH Democracy Report
March 14, 2021 NH Democracy Report
March 7, 2021 NH Democracy Report
March 1, 2021 NH Democracy Report
February 22, 2021 NH Democracy Report
February 14, 2021 NH Democracy Report
February 7, 2021 NH Democracy Report
January 31, 2021 NH Democracy Report
January 24, 2021 NH Democracy Report
January 18, 2021 NH Democracy Report
2020
March 2, 2020 New Hampshire Democracy Report
Feb. 10, 2020 New Hampshire Democracy Report
Feb. 2, 2020 New Hampshire Democracy Report
New Hampshire Democracy Report: update: June 14, 2019
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: [email protected]; (603) 661-8621 (cell)
Rick Bourdon: [email protected]; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)
Brian Beihl: [email protected] (603) 620-8300 (cell)
New Hampshire Democracy Report: June 11, 2019
NH Becomes the 20th State to Call for a 28th 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 28th 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: [email protected]; (603) 661-8621 (cell)
Rick Bourdon: [email protected]; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)
Brian Beihl: [email protected] (603) 620-8300 (cell)
New Hampshire Democracy Report: June 4, 2019
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 20th 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: [email protected]; (603) 661-8621 (cell)
Rick Bourdon: [email protected]; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)
Brian Beihl: [email protected] (603) 620-8300 (cell)
New Hampshire Democracy Report: May 28, 2019
Welcome to Newly-Added New Hampshire Democracy Report readersWe thought you might be interested and added you from other Open Democracy lists, but if you don't want to receive our newsletter following Democracy bills in the New Hampshire legislature, please let Doreen Desmarais know she'll be happy to exclude you from this list. |
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: [email protected]; (603) 661-8621 (cell)
Rick Bourdon: [email protected]; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)
Brian Beihl: [email protected] (603) 620-8300 (cell)
New Hampshire Democracy Report: May 20, 2019
Welcome to Newly-Added New Hampshire Democracy Report readersWe thought you might be interested and added you from other Open Democracy lists, but if you don't want to receive our newsletter following Democracy bills in the New Hampshire legislature, please let Doreen Desmarais know she'll be happy to exclude you from this list. |
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: [email protected]; (603) 661-8621 (cell)
Rick Bourdon: [email protected]; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)
Brian Beihl: [email protected] (603) 620-8300 (cell)
New Hampshire Democracy Report: May 13, 2019
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: [email protected]; (603) 661-8621 (cell)
Rick Bourdon: [email protected]; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)
Brian Beihl: [email protected] (603) 620-8300 (cell)
New Hampshire Democracy Report: May 6, 2019
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: [email protected]; (603) 661-8621 (cell)
Rick Bourdon: [email protected]; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)
Brian Beihl: [email protected] (603) 620-8300 (cell)