New Hampshire’s election system is noted for being honest and accurate. Its purpose is to allow every voter the right to vote in every election. The system “ain’t broke”. In the last legislative session the Republicans passed and the governor signed legislation that will make it more difficult to prepare the general election ballot with enough time to mail it and get it returned to Americans (including members of the armed forces) overseas. That legislation makes it more difficult to vote and took effect on January 1.

This session Republicans have prepared HB 101, a poorly conceived bill to fix another part of the “ain’t broke” system. The largest group of voters in New Hampshire are the undeclared. The current system allows them to vote in the primary election by declaring on election day which party’s ballot they wish to take and vote. No problem. Under this proposed Republican legislation, undeclared voters would have to declare which party’s ballot they want four months prior to the election. That is even before candidates file. If the undeclared don’t, they will not be able to vote in the primary election. This will disenfranchise this large bloc of voters.

Bedford

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