Free Staters, Liberty Alliance and Young Americans for Liberty members stand for the opposite of those words; “free,” “liberty.” One only has to know the way they vote to realize this. The state’s website also has an on-line registration page where you can write your support or opposition for any particular bill. It made no difference to the majority party how the people of New Hampshire felt, the leadership made sure his caucus voted the way he wanted. One area would be the many voting bills that came before us this past session.
HB 365, a Republican sponsored bill (by Liberty Alliance members) that was looking for proof of American citizenship for indigent voters. The on-line registration for this bill was 472 in opposition of it while 57 supported it. A few comments: “Currently, in many NH communities, the Supervisors of the Checklist will visit nursing homes and other elder care facilities, enabling residents to easily complete absentee ballots. This is a safe, efficient, and easy way for our communities' seniors to vote. Do not make it harder for our senior population to participate in voting!”
“I already can't get a 'Real ID' because my birth certificate and married name don't match. There is insufficient evidence of voter fraud to warrant extra expenditure here when cuts are being proposed to services and education.”
“I oppose HB 365 and would welcome the repeal of HB 1569.”
“This is voter suppression.” It sure is.
Rep. Ross Berry, one of the sponsors actually made the claim that this bill “will make it easier for people to vote.” Despite large public opposition, this is legislation the majority wanted, so it passed, 200-169. It has since been retained in committee.
HB 344 was a bi-partisan bill allowing election officials to process the outer envelope of absentee ballots up to one week before an election. This gave election moderators time to contact voters if there were any outer envelope concerns, which could then be corrected. Clerks and moderators were in strong support as were on-line registrants, 472 in support of, 64 opposing the bill. A few comments:
“This is the simplest way to give our clerks relief from all the constraints you put on their voluntary service to our communities and the election process.”
“This bill would allow public pre-processing sessions for absentee ballots in which absentee ballot outer envelopes are opened by moderators or their designee within a week before the election. That will provide greater transparency than the current process of opening them on election day, and make it possible for voters to cure their ballots if a signature or other required step is missing.”
“This is a worthy effort to keep voting accessible and streamline the counting process!”
“This bill makes sense as it encourages efficiency in processing absentee ballots.” And that’s the problem for the majority party, legislation that makes too much sense and benefits the people.
Despite large public support, the proposed legislation failed, 204-168.
HB 363 was sponsored by Democrat Representatives and Senators to enact redistricting criteria, thereby making that process transparent and fair. In 2021, there were 74 NH towns requesting fairer maps through resolutions they had passed. Naturally, they were ignored. This bill listed the criteria, adopted from 23 other states. On-line support for this bill was 447 with only seven people opposing it. A few comments:
“Get rid of gerrymandering! It's un-American, and anti-democratic!”
“Same testimony as for CACR 2: Your committee has the reputation for being the most partisan committee in the legislature (confirmed by my observations of many party-line votes over the years). I am an undeclared voter, a member of the majority party. Resolutions have been passed in town meetings, town and city councils across NH. MOST voters want this. Please represent us voters, not what your party leaders tell you to do.”
“Every single person in the United States knows that gerrymandering, or redistricting for political advantage, is unfair and hurts our representative democracy. I support this bill in order to be sure that New Hampshire is a true representative democracy, and that our elections aren't rigged in favor of either party. Republicans, you've been winning the gerrymandering race so far, but it could go the other way in the future. Think about that for a minute. Do the right thing, and work to stop redistricting along party lines.”
“Do the right thing?” Nope, the bill failed, 203-167. The majority party sure do like them some gerrymandering!
Here’s a doozy! HB 172 was meant to restrict undeclared voters from registering with a political party on a primary day in order to vote in a presidential or state primary election. Who comes up with that, you ask? The majority party who either doesn’t think or care that this proposed bill would negatively affect THEIR voters, too! A whopping 607 people registered their on-line opposition to this restrictive bill compared to only 30 who supported it. A few comments:
“This is voter suppression. I oppose this bill. The Republicans in this state really don't believe in freedom and democracy, that much is clear. Residents struggle to find affordable housing, the state is in a huge financial deficit with a freeze on statewide government spending, but THIS is the priority here? I'd say do better, but I don't think the representatives who write these bills can. I think it's a race to the bottom at this point where they have no shame and don't care about their reputation.”
“Don't take away my 96 year-old Independent mother's right to vote in primaries. This is a solution seeking a problem that does not exist. Have respect for your elders and vote ITL on HB172.”
“I am an Undeclared voter by choice! This bill would prevent me from participating in primaries. I OBJECT! I want to have full information before I decide which ballot I will choose on election day -- and that may mean that I don't make up my mind until then. This bill would disenfranchise almost the majority of voters since there are more Undeclared registered voters than either Republicans or Democrats. This is an unnecessary and restrictive requirement and should be voted NO!”
Apparently, the party who loudly promotes school choice and parental “rights” has a problem with this type of voting choice.
This voter suppression bill was “killed” (Inexpedient to Legislate) by a voice vote at the end of March.
Perhaps a reminder is needed for those elected officials who have forgotten that they are “public servants.” Their primary role is to serve the interests, needs and well-being of the public!