As a voter living in a democratic republic, I realize one thing we all need in regard to our right to vote is the fair division of districts, where the will of the voter is paramount. Today, this is not always the case.
Politicians have used a method of rigging elections called gerrymandering, in which districts are carved up using computer algorithms that ensure that one political party always wins no matter how the majority of voters vote. It’s like playing a basketball game on a court where the basket is lowered for one team and raised for the other team, making it easier for one side to win.
However, all across the country, in traditionally red and blue states, citizens are fighting back against this kind of political partisan manipulation.
For instance a majority of citizens in conservative states such as South Dakota, Ohio, Arizona and Utah have passed initiatives to have nonpartisan commissions draw up fair districts. Here in New Hampshire, our new Legislature has introduced both legislation, Senate Bill 8, and a constitutional amendment, CACR 9, to have a nonpartisan commission draw up our districts, ending partisan gerrymandering.
What does this mean for you and me? It means that all votes count equally and that there is a one-to-one correlation between the results of our voting and representation in our State House. This is a great opportunity for us citizens in New Hampshire to reclaim our democracy. Let your legislators know that you support efforts to return fair voting to New Hampshire.
WAYNE FULLER
Concord