Voting

Justice Scales and books and wooden gavel

State judges across the U.S. face growing GOP pushback against rulings in election cases

BY: - February 16, 2022

In mid-December, Texas’ highest criminal court revoked the state attorney general’s ability to use his office to prosecute election-related cases without the request of a district or county attorney. In an 8-1 opinion, the all-Republican court weakened Attorney General Ken Paxton’s power to independently go after perpetrators of voter fraud, a problem he says is […]

COMMENTARY
Exterior of the State House

Commentary: Citizens drew fair redistricting maps, so why can’t the Legislature do the same?

BY: - February 11, 2022

Redistricting should result in voting districts where elected officials represent the everyday concerns of their voters. Your representative should be your advocate, focused on your school district, your health and safety, your water systems, and your local economy. Your representative should advocate for the interests of your town, city, and county. The redistricting proposals of […]

The State House, with snow on the ground

Citizens and advocates join Sununu in asking Senate to change maps 

BY: - February 2, 2022

Citizens and advocates are pushing the New Hampshire Senate to change redistricting maps they say are gerrymandered – and they’re now wielding Gov. Chris Sununu’s recent comments on the maps to make their case.  Sununu told WMUR in late January that he had asked senators to change the maps currently before them. “I told them: […]

Election workers gather ballots from a roadside drop box

States weigh how to shield election officials from threats, harassment

BY: - January 28, 2022

Following the turmoil of the 2020 election, a photo of Washington state Election Director Lori Augino marked with crosshairs, her address, and the words “your days are numbered” was posted on a website alongside photos of numerous other state election officials described as “enemies of the people.”   Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman said in […]

A voter walks with a ballot outside

U.S. Senate blocks change in the filibuster for voting rights bills

BY: - January 20, 2022

WASHINGTON – Every Republican in the U.S. Senate and two Democrats on Wednesday night rejected a proposed change in the filibuster to pass voting rights legislation, dealing a major blow to attempts in Congress to counter restrictive voting laws passed in the states. In a 48-52 vote, two Democrats – Sens. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona […]

Ballot boxes

Republican senators propose bill to void ballots of voters who don’t prove domicile

BY: - January 18, 2022

Since 2020, the effort to tighten voting procedures has swept statehouses nationwide. Now, New Hampshire Senate Republicans are seeking a new target to overhaul: same-day voter registration. A bill unveiled last week would require voters who register to vote on Election Day without sufficient documents to mail copies of those documents to the Secretary of […]

An American flag and a sign that says "vote."

Seven states to watch in the 2022 push to restrict voting rights

BY: - January 17, 2022

WASHINGTON – Republican state lawmakers across the country are ramping up their drive to enact voting and election-related laws in time for crucial 2022 midterm elections. As federal legislation that would limit state-level voting restrictions appears stymied in Washington, Republicans in the states are moving forward with new proposals and revisiting old ones that Democrats […]

Rep. Joyce Beatty is led away in handcuffs from a protest

Congressional Black Caucus calls for Senate action on voting rights

BY: - January 12, 2022

WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden is expected to meet with Senate Democrats on Thursday to push for the swift passage of two voting rights bills, and members of the Congressional Black Caucus are applying pressure for action as well.  During a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, caucus Chair Joyce Beatty said that members […]

A woman holds a sign that reads "Show us fair maps"

Redistricting listening sessions did little to influence House-approved maps

BY: - January 10, 2022

The New Hampshire House last week approved the Republican-backed plans for redistricting the congressional, House of Representatives, and county commissioner districts. Nonpartisan watchdog groups have decried the congressional maps for gerrymandering: making the 1st Congressional District more friendly to Republicans and the 2nd District more firmly Democratic. And criticism has also been leveled at the […]

A school board meeting in a gymnasium

Activists on right and left prepare for fierce school board elections

BY: - December 20, 2021

For parents considering a run for school board next spring, 603 Alliance is ready. The conservative activist group is setting up candidate trainings across the state over the next few weeks. But first, candidates will have to answer a few questions.  “They have to be accepted,” said Fran Wendelboe, managing director of the group. “They […]

COMMENTARY
A person looks at a voter list

Commentary: New Hampshire’s congressional districts must be competitive – not rigged monopolies

BY: - December 13, 2021

“That’s all we’re asking for: an end to the antidemocratic and un-American practice of gerrymandering congressional districts. … The fact is, gerrymandering has become a national scandal.” – President Ronald Reagan As someone who believes in the power of competition and the free market, I am appalled by the proposed map for New Hampshire’s congressional […]

A man holds a sign for fair maps

In drawing new House maps, a divide over the definition of fair

BY: - November 22, 2021

The maps that will shape elections for the next decade made their way out of a special committee last week and are heading to the full House for a vote. But while the dramatic changes to the congressional maps have taken center stage, nonpartisan observers have their eyes on issues with the House maps that […]