Good evening! This Tuesday, there are 4 bills we urge you to take action on being heard before the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee. These weekly actions and more are also posted on our Open Democracy Action Team Member Toolkit Page.
First, we encourage you to oppose the non-germane amendment proposed for HB 464, prohibiting certain candidates for political office from participating in counting ballots. While the bill on its face seeks to improve election security, the amendment is not ready for prime time. It allows for the voter registration database to link with vital state records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce documents), the Department of Safety, and the Social Security Administration – but in section 5 line 19, conversely states that, “access to such data shall not relieve the responsibility to provide appropriate proof of voter qualifications”. This seems to make an otherwise good idea redundant, and could use some reconsideration. It also decreases transparency by reducing public access to identifying information for low-dollar contributors, which could potentially obscure the origins of smaller-scale, but cumulatively significant, fundraising.
Next, we urge you to oppose HB 367, which seeks to change the method for adopting partisan town elections to be the same as rescinding partisan town elections. This opens the door to more partisan local elections at a time when our communities desperately need unity, not division. By making it easier for towns to adopt partisan ballot systems, this bill risks importing the toxic polarization of national politics into our school boards, select boards, and town councils – spaces that should prioritize collaboration over party allegiance. Local government works best when it’s focused on solving real problems, not scoring political points. We urge voters and lawmakers to oppose HB 367 and keep our local elections focused on people, not parties.
We encourage you to support HB 67, relative to agreements with the secretary of state for the use of accessible voting systems. This is an essential step toward ensuring that every eligible voter, regardless of physical ability, can participate fully in our democratic process. This legislation transitions the state’s accessible voting systems from a temporary pilot program to a permanent requirement, mandating that all cities, towns, and school districts using official ballots provide at least one accessible voting system at each polling place. By formalizing agreements between municipalities and the Secretary of State, HB 67 ensures consistent access to voting for individuals with disabilities. Without this bill, the pilot program would expire, potentially leaving municipalities to bear the full cost of acquiring accessible voting equipment independently. HB 67 promotes inclusivity, upholds the rights of voters with disabilities, and reinforces New Hampshire’s commitment to fair and accessible elections for all citizens.
Finally, we urge you to support HB 546, relative to financial disclosures and the public reporting of those disclosures by the secretary of state. This would enhance transparency and accountability by mandating that legislators disclose any contributions of $1,000 or more from industries or political action committees within 30 days. Additionally, it requires candidates who receive over $1,000 in campaign funds to submit monthly receipts to the Secretary of State, who will then provide summaries to the Legislative Ethics Committee. HB 546 ensures timely and detailed reporting of significant financial contributions, enabling voters to make informed decisions and fostering trust in our democratic institutions.
Below is a list of all the bills being heard Tuesday May 6th, the time and location of their hearing, the link to sign in on them online, and our recommendation on whether to support or oppose.
As always, thank you for supporting our democracy!
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