I’m an undeclared voter from Derry in Congressional District 1. I know a voter from Brookfield, Celia Randall, who is also an undeclared voter. Her voting district will change to Congressional District 2 if the current redistricting map is passed. This proposed map (HB 52) unnecessarily changes the voting status of 365,703 voters and 75 towns with the most radical change since 1883. Celia is one of those voters; Brookfield is one of those towns. When asked about redistricting, you said it “has to be done in a bipartisan way and be transparent. I always say with redistricting, it’s got to pass the smell test.” We agree and strongly urge you to veto this grievously gerrymandered map, for the following reason:
HB 52 was specifically drawn to create a Republican advantage in District 1, while packing Democratic-leaning towns into a non-competitive District 2. This will effectively disenfranchise all District 2 voters who want to vote Republican, and those disenfranchised voters are constituents from your own party. It’s not a coincidence that Republican leader Stephen Stepanek bragged that because Republicans will control redistricting this year, he could guarantee “we will send a conservative Republican to Washington, D.C. as a Congress person in 2022.” You twice vetoed independent redistricting commission bills, saying “New Hampshire has a redistricting process that is fair, representative, and accountable to voters.” That is clearly not the case now. HB 52 is completely partisan, doesn’t pass your smell test, and would be an affront to our democracy as it disenfranchises one-half of all NH Republican and Democratic voters.
Corinne Dodge
Derry