HB1257

I am respectfully requesting that you oppose bill HB1257, for the following reasons: - It creates arbitrary and unnecessary barriers to citizen participation. New Hampshire’s citizen legislature depends on accessibility; a two-year district residency requirement discourages working families, renters, military members, and others with legitimate mobility from serving. - It unnecessarily restricts voter choice. This bill limits who may run for office, reducing the pool of qualified candidates and denying voters the right to decide for themselves who best represents their interests. - It is a solution in search of a problem. Current constitutional and statutory requirements already ensure candidates have meaningful ties to the state and district, and there is no demonstrated public harm that justifies imposing additional restrictions.

Living in the district before running is good enough, but a 2 year requirement takes away a citizen's right to run for office.