If you are a delegate to the New Hampshire State Democratic Party convention on October 18th, you should have received an email explaining the steps to vote on proposed amendments to the state party’s constitution. If you did not receive the email, please let me know so I can help get that rectified by NHDP.
Our Ask:
We are reaching out to express my strong support for the proposed amendments, which is shared by the majority of the other county chairs as well as the members of the Hillsborough County Executive Committee. We ask you to please vote YES on the amendments.
If you have questions, please watch the presentation from the amendment's authors before voting. View ALL the arguments, and make up your own mind.
2025 NHDP Rules Amendments Webinar (YouTube Video)
The panelists in the webinar are the proponents of the amendments that are on the ballot. Tim Smith, a former Rules Committee member, is one of them, and he kindly offered to post the recording on his YouTube channel. The panelists' contact information is shared at the end of the video.
We have also included information on the individual amendments below.
- This is a Slate Vote: The amendments must be voted on as a group. We are not offered the opportunity to pick and choose to vote yes on some and no on others. As a package, these amendments will Strengthen Our Party. Please vote YES to pass all amendments.
- Approved by the Rules Committee: These amendments were vetted, voted on, and approved to be added to the ballot by the Rules Committee. Not all the submitted amendments made it to this stage.
- Expanding Our Voice: Several of the amendments will expand the State Committee, giving a voice to many who are closest to the voters and directly involved in our work - Democratic State Representatives and Town Chairs. Increasing representation on the State Committee will make the process more democratic. Currently, a large percentage of State Committee members are appointed.
- The Importance of Gaining Ground and Connecting With Voters: Democrats in NH have been losing ground - we have lost majorities in state government and we’ve seen a significant decline in registered Democrats in New Hampshire. Let’s add the voices of those who connect daily with voters in their community - Democratic State Representatives and Town Chairs!
Voting Process:
The process for voting for amendments/resolutions is laid out in the email you should have received. Here’s a recap on the 3 ways you can submit your vote:
- Online Voting will be open until 2PM on October 18th. This is the quickest process. Voting prior to election day ensures your vote will be counted should you experience last-minute scheduling issues or cannot attend the Convention in person.
- By Mail, to be received at the NHDP office by October 17th.
- In Person at the Convention, to be completed by 2PM on October 18th. The Convention schedule will be wrapped up by 12:30PM to allow people to attend No Kings rallies that afternoon.
The Amendments & Why You Should Vote Yes:
- All Democratic State Representatives become members of the State Committee.
- Voting YES for this amendment would provide Democratic State Representatives with a voice in our party’s direction and future.
- State Representatives, elected by their constituents, have unique insights on the voters and issues of their communities that are hard to replicate. They know the political pulse of their districts.
- Expanding the state committee to include these voices strengthens the party and recognizes the commitment, perseverance, insights, and impact of our elected Democratic State Representatives.
- A State Rep could opt out of the role on the State Committee, if they choose to do so.
- All local (town) chairs become members of the State Committee.
- Voting YES for this amendment would provide Democratic Town Chairs with a voice in our party’s direction and future.
- Town Chairs are hard-working volunteers and have strong insights into the characteristics and voter concerns unique to their community. In addition to running the town committee, they help recruit and train candidates, run campaign efforts, and organize volunteers.
- At a time when the Democratic party is consistently struggling to win local and statewide elections, empowering Town Chairs with membership on the State Committee will increase the Party’s focus on local needs and challenges, and garner the necessary resources and support needed to elect Democrats to state office.
- Expanding the state committee to include these voices strengthens the party and recognizes the hard work, insights, and impact of our Town Chairs, who are elected in their communities.
- Being a member of the State Committee could encourage more interest in and give voice to the Town Chair position, which could benefit rural and red areas, and the party as a whole with more complete committee coverage across the state.
- Listening to and involving the Town Chairs in the State Committee acknowledges the responsibilities that Town Chairs have and the collaboration necessary to achieve our shared goals.
- A Town Chair could opt out of the role on the State Committee, if they choose to do so.
- Clarification of Regional Committee formation and management.
- Regional Committees offer a proven, workable solution for more rural areas where communities are small and it can be challenging to form town committees.
- This amendment clarifies and strengthens the policies for the formation of Regional Committees, which will help Democrats reach every corner of the state.
- NHDP Legal Counsel changed to a non-voting member of the Rules Committee. Rules Committee expanded from 6 elected members to 7.
- This amendment changes the role of the Legal Council to a non-voting member of the Rules Committee.
- Currently, NHDP’s legal counsel is appointed to the Rules Committee by the state party Chair.
- With the passage of this amendment, a 7th member would be added that would be voted on by the State Committee members, consistent with the six other Rules Committee members.
- This amendment would align the election of all 7 voting members in a democratic fashion, while maintaining the expertise provided by the inclusion of legal counsel as a resource in the discussions and procedures of the Rules Committee.
- NHDP officer elections to use ranked-choice voting.
- Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) is an election system where voters rank candidates by order of preference rather than choosing just one.
- This type of election process promotes majority support: the winner is ultimately supported by a majority of voters, which can build party unity and discourage negative campaigning.
- To learn more about RCV in general and its benefits, please visit https://fairvote.org/our-reforms/ranked-choice-voting/.
- Proxy voting prohibited for State Committee voting.
- What is Proxy Voting? Proxy voting is a process that allows an authorized representative, known as a proxy, to cast a ballot on behalf of an eligible voter. This is typically done when the voter cannot attend a meeting in person.
- Proxy voting has become antiquated as we now have an online voting process that has been working well and more efficiently for several years. Online voting is one of the 3 ways you can cast your vote for these amendments.
- NH Democratic Presidential Electors made members of the State Committee.
- A Presidential Elector is an individual chosen by their state party to cast a vote for the President and Vice President of the United States through the Electoral College process. When American citizens vote for a presidential candidate, they are technically voting for that candidate's slate of pledged electors, not for the candidate directly.
- This amendment would give these electors a seat on the state committee for their term.
- Responsibility for filling ballot vacancies removed from local committees
- This is a housekeeping issue to ensure the state party process aligns with state laws.
State Convention on October 18th from 9AM-12:30PM
The State Convention is being held on Saturday, October 18th.
It is a ticketed event, with a lower rate offered for Delegates. Tickets can be purchased here:
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/25-convention-tickets
Please reach out if you have questions or concerns. Would you please let me know if we can count on your support for the proposed amendments?
Thank you,
The Amendments are supported by the following Democratic County Committee Chairs.
Carroll County: David Paige
Cheshire County: Mohammad Saleh
Coos County: Henry Noel
Grafton County: Ann Garland
Hillsborough County: Katy Cutshall
Merimack County: Amy Metcalf
Rockingham County: Lisa DeMio
Stafford County: Walter King