HB407

It is concerning to me that the NH House has before it, a piece of legislation (HB407) that appears to advocate for and propose instituting policy that would essentially restrict the rights of citizens to have their voices heard via the votes they cast if the number of voters fails to meet a certain minimum percentage threshold. NH voters who exercise their civic duty and vote should not ever have to worry that the weight and value of their vote is conditional upon an arbitrary percentage of voters who show up. I do not support HB407 as it would allow the will of voters to be suppressed based upon the percentage of turnout, and it would create unnecessary challenges for municipalities experiencing low voter turnout. I believe that it is the responsibility of those of us in the General Court to avoid both of these outcomes. . Please vote ITL. Thank you for your time. Respectfully, Rep. Nancy Murphy

I believe that this bill needs several items clarified, to include how do you calculate the 15% when this state allows for same day voter registration? Being a SB2 community does the 15% only apply to the Ballot or does it apply to the Deliberative session as well? Also it is every citizens constitutional right to vote or not to vote. You can not punish the people who came out to vote just because you did not hit a quota. I just think that you will be doing a disservice to everyone who did vote and potentially saying that their vote does not matter. thank you

As an almost 50 year resident of NH and a voter who attends every town meeting, I urge you to OPPOSE this law. This bill would only encourage fewer voters to attend town meeting (or to vote in SB2 towns). It seems like just another assault on our democracy. What is happening to the NH tradition of local control? Please let town budget committees and select boards and school boards do their jobs in determining what works in their towns. Please oppose this bill. Thank you for allowing me to use the online system to voice my opinions - it is very valuable to those of us unable to attend in person committee meetings. Suzanne Allison Barnstead, NH

Honorable Representatives, I urge you to reject this bill. While I understant that municiapl elections historically have low turnout, that is not something that can be fixed by legislation. Many towns have already moved to SB2 in order to give more people the opportunity to participate, but you cannot mandate it. In reviewing previous elections statistics in my own community, it seems likley that several of the last few elections would have been invalid as a result of this law. This would open the door to all kinds of choas. What would happen if the turnout doesn't reach the mark? Would a special meeting have to be called to adopt a budget? Would the default budget go into effect? This doesn't seem like it's been fully thought out. It could also lead to efforts to deliberately supress the vote in order to sabotoge the outcome entirely. I do not believe this law is prudent or necessary at this time. Thank you for your time.

Dear House Judiciary Committee members, I am opposed to bill HB476 that would further restrict abortion, reproductive healthcare, in New Hampshire. As you may know, 78% of New Hampshire citizens believe there should be a right to get an abortion, in every state of the U.S. Also, the great majority - I believe it is 68% - of us here in New Hampshire oppose a 15-week abortion ban. Therefore, your opposition to this bill would be representing the will of the people you represent. On a personal note, my niece was able to obtain an abortion after a rape that she would never have been able to prove, before Roe V. Wade was overturned. She went on to have to beautiful healthy boys. I believe all women and families should have that opportunity. Please oppose HB476 and support the health and welfare of New Hampshire families. Thank you for your service to the people of our State.

The Town of Merrimack rarely gets 15 % of our registered voters to come out to vote despite effort of Town Hall to get the word out by mailing a voter’s guide to every residence and advertising polling time and date in several places around Town. This would surely cause failure of Town and School budget in many years despite receiving a majority vote from those who vote on the item. This would harm all of our residents.