States such as Georgia have begun to pass anti-voter election legislation which will likely result in the disenfranchisement of many voters, including college students. Large corporations such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, The Coca-Cola Company and Dell have decided that these laws will be bad for their businesses and are now actively speaking out and acting against these ill-advised voter suppression laws.
Unfortunately in NH, our legislature is currently pushing many of the very same voter-suppression bills which we have seen in Georgia and other states, and it appears that many of these bills will likely be passed in NH on a completely partisan basis. What will all this resulting disenfranchisement mean to our NH economy, and should you be concerned? Will it mean that students will choose not to come to New Hampshire for their college education?
Steve Rand, owner of Rand Hardware in Plymouth said, “Of the small business owners here in Plymouth, many of them are people who came to school here, felt welcome enough to build businesses, and now play a vital role in our state economy. These anti-voter policies, if enacted, would have a chilling effect on attracting and keeping talent in our state.” (Business NH Magazine, 4/5) Nonpartisan group Open Democracy is asking business and organization leaders to sign on to the “A Healthy Democracy is Good Business” initiative. Healthy Democracy, good for New Hampshire, and good for your business.
Corinne Dodge
Derry