O P I N I O N
THE SOAPBOX
Stand up. Speak up. It’s your turn.
If there’s one thing most people will agree on it is that we are a polarized country. And the same is true for NH. For those who still believe there is hope (and I am one of those), there are some bills coming up in the legislature designed to diminish polarization and enfranchise voters – particularly Undeclared voters (about 40%, at this time). The bills are about replacing a two-party ballot system and moving to a single ballot (for the primary election).
As you may know, this is already the practice in the states’ cities (for municipal positions) and the feedback is that voters like it. I know that change is hard, but when 40% of voters have to choose a ballot for a party with which they do not identify is that really fair?
The first of these bills HB1627-FN will be heard Tuesday, Jan. 27, by the Election Law Committee at 10 a.m. The second and third have not yet been scheduled but are: HB1391 (for a Study Commission) and HB1330. I know that bills as submitted can sometimes require changes to be made, but if you agree that having a single ballot would be helpful, please consider attending the first hearing as noted above. I personally have a hard time seeing how we will move forward without working together (while still accepting and working through differences). And I’m sure most of us agree, we do need to move forward.
See New Hampshire Together for more.
Kate Messner lives in Hudson.
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