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Stories about New Hampshire

New Hampshire becomes final state to enact congressional map

By Ellen Morrissey
In Uncategorized
June 1, 2022 at 12:10 PM

New Hampshire enacted the final congressional map of the 2020 redistricting cycle on May 31, 2022, when the New Hampshire Supreme Court approved a map drawn by redistricting special master Nathaniel Persily. New Hampshire was apportioned two seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2020 census, one more than it received after the 2010 census. This map will take effect for New Hampshire’s 2022 congressional elections.

The New Hampshire Supreme Court assumed control over the redistricting process as part of a lawsuit filed by former New Hampshire House Speaker Terie Norelli (D) and several voters. On April 11, the court announced it would take control of the process if the state legislature and governor could not draw a new congressional map.

The New Hampshire state legislature approved two congressional map bills. The first was approved 186-164 in the New Hampshire House on January 5 and 13-11 in the New Hampshire Senate on March 17. Shortly after the map was approved by the Senate, Gov. Chris Sununu (R) said he planned to veto the map. The House voted 176-171 and the Senate voted 14-10 to approve a second map bill on May 26. On the same day, Sununu said he planned to veto the map.

As of May 31, 43 states have adopted new congressional maps, six states were apportioned one congressional district (so no congressional redistricting is required), and Florida’s congressional map is currently undergoing a legal challenge. As of May 31 in 2012, 42 states had enacted congressional redistricting plans.

States have completed congressional redistricting for 408 of the 435 seats (93.8%) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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Amendment to remove register of probate office on New Hampshire ballot

By Nicole Fisher
In Ballot measures
May 19, 2022 at 11:36 AM

Last week, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted in agreement with the New Hampshire State Senate to approve a constitutional amendment that would eliminate the register of probate office. This measure will appear on the ballot in November for New Hampshire voters.

The ballot measure was introduced to the New Hampshire General Court in November of 2021. In March, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 294-43 to approve the amendment. In April 21, the Senate voted 21-3 on an amended resolution. On May 13, 2022, the House adopted the revised amendment by voice vote.

To get a constitutional amendment on the ballot in New Hampshire, it must receive 60% of the vote in one legislative session of the New Hampshire state legislature, which amounts to 201 votes in the House of Representatives. Because this measure met that requirement in the House of Representatives and was approved by a voice vote in the New Hampshire state senate, the measure will appear on the ballot. To be ratified, a two-thirds vote is needed at the election.

In the past, New Hampshire’s Register of Probate office handled issues such as simple wills. But in 2011, due to a reorganization of New Hampshire’s court system, most of the duties of this office were eliminated. Currently, the primary responsibility of the office is to the preservation of files that have the potential for historical significance.

This is the second ballot measure to appear on New Hampshire’s statewide ballot for the Nov. 8, 2022 general election. The other ballot measure asks voters on whether or not to hold a state constitutional convention, which appears on New Hampshire’s ballot automatically every 10 years.

In New Hampshire, 13 statewide ballot measures went to voters between 1996 and 2018. Five of these measures were approved, while 8 were defeated.

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New Hampshire enacts new state senate map

By Ellen Morrissey
In State
May 11, 2022 at 8:40 AM

New Hampshire enacted new state senate districts on May 6, 2022, when Gov. Chris Sununu (R) signed a proposal that both legislative chambers approved into law. The maps will take effect for New Hampshire’s 2022 state legislative elections.

On February 16, the New Hampshire Senate passed a map in a 14-10 vote, which the House then approved on April 21 in a 172-149 vote. The Senate Redistricting Committee initially advanced the proposal on January 5, 2022.

As of May 6, 46 states have adopted legislative district maps for both chambers. Legislative boundaries in Kansas are awaiting approval by that state’s supreme court. A court in Ohio has overturned previously enacted maps, a court in New York has overturned a map for one chamber, and Montana has not yet adopted legislative redistricting plans after the 2020 census.

As of May 6, 2012, 46 states had enacted legislative redistricting plans after the 2010 census.

Nationwide, states have completed legislative redistricting for 1,827 of 1,972 state Senate seats (92.6%) and 5,214 of 5,411 state House seats (96.3%).

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New Hampshire enacts new state house map

By Ellen Morrissey
In State
March 28, 2022 at 11:33 AM

New Hampshire enacted new state house districts on March 23, 2022, when Gov. Chris Sununu (R) signed a proposal approved by both legislative chambers into law. The maps will take effect for New Hampshire’s 2022 state legislative elections.

The New Hampshire House passed a map on Jan. 5 in a 186-168 vote, which the Senate then approved on Feb. 16 in a 14-10 vote. The House Redistricting Committee initially advanced the proposal on Nov. 16, 2021.

As of March 25, 41 states have adopted legislative district maps for both chambers, one state has adopted maps that have not yet gone into effect, and one state has adopted maps for one legislative chamber. The state supreme court in one state has overturned previously enacted maps, the U.S. Supreme Court has blocked previously enacted maps in one state, and five states have not yet adopted legislative redistricting plans after the 2020 census.

Nationwide, states have completed legislative redistricting for 1,742 of 1,972 state Senate seats (88.3%) and 4,594 of 5,411 state House seats (84.9%).

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New Hampshire Secretary of State William Gardner retires

By Mackenzie Murphy
In State
January 12, 2022 at 12:01 PM

On Jan. 10, 2022, New Hampshire Secretary of State William Gardner (D) retired. 

Gardner is the longest-serving secretary of state, having been first elected secretary by the state legislature in 1976. Before serving as secretary, Gardner served as a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 1973 to 1976. 

Deputy Secretary of State David Scanlan (R) was sworn in after Gardner resigned. According to the New Hampshire Constitution, the deputy secretary of state replaces the secretary until a new secretary is appointed. In New Hampshire, the secretary of state is chosen by a joint session of both houses of the State Legislature. 

Scanlan will serve the remainder of Gardner’s term, which is set to end in December 2022. 

Scanlan’s swearing-in created a Republican triplex in New Hampshire, meaning that Republicans control the executive offices of governor, attorney general and secretary of state.

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Jodi Nelson (R) defeats Mary Eisner (D) in New Hampshire House special election

By Megan Feeney
In State
December 8, 2021 at 1:54 PM

A special general election was held for the Rockingham 6 District of the New Hampshire House of Representatives on Dec. 7. Jodi Nelson (R) defeated Mary Eisner (D), earning 58.8% of the vote to Eisner’s 41.2%.

Nelson earned 77.7% of the vote in the Republican primary held on Oct. 19, defeating Neil Wetherbee and Thomas Cardon. Eisner was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

The special election was called after Anne Copp (R) left office on Aug. 5 in order to move out of the district. Copp served from 2020 to 2021. She previously represented Merrimack 1 in the state House from 2016 to 2018.

As of December 2021, 66 state legislative special elections have been scheduled for 2021 in 21 states. Between 2011 and 2020, an average of 75 special elections took place each year. New Hampshire held 29 special elections from 2010 to 2020.

New Hampshire has a Republican trifecta, meaning that the Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature. Republicans have a 206-188 majority in the state House with six vacancies.

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Special general election to be held Dec. 7 for New Hampshire House of Representatives Rockingham 6

By Megan Feeney
In State
December 2, 2021 at 12:40 PM

The special general election for the Rockingham 6 District in the New Hampshire House of Representatives is on Dec. 7. Mary Eisner (D) and Jodi Nelson (R) are competing in the special election. 

Nelson advanced from the Republican primary on Oct. 19, earning 78% of the vote. Eisner was unopposed in the Democratic primary. The filing deadline to run passed Aug. 27.

The special election was called after Anne Copp (R) resigned on Aug. 5 in order to move out of the district. Copp represented Rockingham 6 in the state House from 2020 to 2021. She represented the Merrimack 1 District from 2016 to 2018.

As of December 2021, 66 state legislative special elections have been scheduled for 2021 in 21 states. Between 2011 and 2020, an average of 75 special elections took place each year. New Hampshire held 29 special elections from 2010 to 2020.

New Hampshire has a Republican trifecta, meaning that the Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature. In the state House, Republicans have a 206-188 majority with six vacancies.



Redistricting timeline update: Georgia begins special session, New Hampshire and Ohio redistricting efforts delayed

By Ethan Rice
In State
November 9, 2021 at 1:40 PM

Here’s a summary of recent redistricting updates from Georgia, New Hampshire, and Ohio.

Georgia: The Georgia State Legislature convened for a special session focused on redistricting on Nov. 3, 2021. Senate Majority Leader Mike Dugan (R) said he expected the legislature to agree on and pass state legislative maps quicker than congressional maps. “[State legislative maps] will be more straightforward. The congressional ones will be a little more involved,” Dugan said.

New Hampshire: On Oct. 26, 2021, Senate Redistricting Committee Chairman James Gray (D) announced that the Senate will not begin considering map proposals until city officials in Nashua have finished redrawing ward lines. Gray said he expects the Senate to begin deliberations on proposed maps in late January 2022. The House Redistricting Committee, however, is expected to recommend proposals this year, with Rep. Barbara Griffin (R) saying the committee plans to make final map recommendations to the legislature on Nov. 16 or 17, 2021.

Ohio: The Ohio Redistricting Commission did not meet its Oct. 31, 2021, deadline to draw and approve a congressional map, and the authority to create new districts will now pass to the state legislature. Dan Tierney, a spokesperson for Gov. Mike DeWine (R), said the delayed release of U.S. Census Bureau data “essentially took five months out of the process” and did not leave sufficient time for the commission to draft and debate new congressional districts. The General Assembly must now draw and approve a new map by Nov. 30, 2021. For any map to be put in place for a full 10 years, support from at least a third of the members of the minority party is required, and any approved plan that does not meet this threshold will only be effective for four years.



Maneval (D) defeats Mattson (R) in New Hampshire House of Representatives Cheshire 9 special election

By Andrew McNair
In State
October 29, 2021 at 11:12 AM

A special general election was held for the Cheshire 9 District of the New Hampshire House of Representatives on Oct. 26. Andrew Maneval (D) won the special election with 1,209 votes, 64.9% of the vote total, and defeated Rita Mattson (R).

A Democratic primary and a Republican primary were held on Sept. 7. The filing deadline passed on July 9. The special election was called after Douglas Ley (D) died of cancer on June 10. Ley served from 2012 to 2021. 

As of October, 64 state legislative special elections have been scheduled for 2021 in 21 states. Between 2011 and 2020, an average of 75 special elections took place each year. New Hampshire held 29 special elections from 2010 to 2020, an average of nearly three per year. 

Four New Hampshire House of Representatives special elections have been held so far in 2021. A fifth is scheduled in the Rockingham 6 District for Dec. 7.

As of October, the New Hampshire House of Representatives had 188 Democrats and 207 Republicans. All 400 seats are up for election in 2022. A majority in the chamber requires 201 seats. New Hampshire has a Republican trifecta. A state government trifecta exists when one political party simultaneously holds the governor’s office and both state legislative chambers. 

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Nelson (R) and Eisner (D) advance to New Hampshire Rockingham 6 special general election

By Caitlin Vanden Boom
In State
October 20, 2021 at 3:29 PM

A special primary was held on Oct. 19 for the Rockingham 6 District seat in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Jodi Nelson (R) and Mary Eisner (D) advanced to the general election. Nelson defeated Neil Wetherbee and Thomas Cardon in the Republican primary. Eisner was unopposed in the Democratic primary. 

The general election is scheduled for Dec. 7. The candidate filing deadline passed on Aug. 27.

The special election was called after Anne Copp (R) left office due to moving out of the district on Aug. 5. Copp served from December 2020 to August 2021. She had previously served in the Merrimack 1 District from 2016 to 2018.

As of Oct. 19, five state legislative special elections have been scheduled in New Hampshire in 2021. Special elections were held for the Hillsborough 21 District on April 13, the Merrimack 23 District on June 8, and the Hillsborough 7 District on Sept. 7. A special election is scheduled for the Cheshire 9 District on Oct. 26. 

New Hampshire held 29 special elections between 2010 and 2020. The most held in one year during that period was 10 in 2017. 

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