New Hampshire's independents, with the New Hampshire Committee for an Independent Voice and its national affiliate, Committee for a Unified Independent Party, forced the Senate to kill HB 154, which would have required a 90-day waiting period for independents to regain their status as an independent.

More than 300 undeclared voters signed a petition opposed to this bill that was presented to the Internal Affairs Committee hearing. Scores of letters were sent and phone calls made to elected officials. Several independents were at the hearing to testify their opposition.

Independents, who make up 42 percent of the state's electorate, made their voices heard. Due to a bunch of ordinary "undeclared voters" who came together, we were able to stop passage of HB 154.

BETTY WARD

Concord