Senate Republicans Reject SB 80, Block Independent Redistricting Commission
Contact Name: Marina Altschiller
Phone: (603) 271-3207
CONCORD – Today, Republican members of the Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs Committee voted inexpedient to legislate on SB 80 in a partisan 3-2 vote. SB 80, prime sponsored by Senator Tom Sherman (D-Rye), would have established an independent advisory commission on redistricting.
After the vote, prime sponsor Tom Sherman (D-Rye) and co-sponsor Senator Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D-Portsmouth) issued the following statements:
“More than ever, voters need to be assured that their vote counts, and that they are adequately represented in the legislature,” stated Senator Tom Sherman (D-Rye). “Today’s vote by the committee’s Republican majority to kill this bill silences the citizens of New Hampshire and allows Republican party insiders and operatives to continue the partisan gerrymandering of our state.”
Senator Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D-Portsmouth) added, “We had the opportunity, with this legislation, to restore our constituents’ faith in democracy and to reiterate our commitment to representing them fairly, regardless of political party. Without it, this next round of redistricting will be gerrymandered by those in power, and the citizens of New Hampshire will continue to be inadequately represented. It is truly a shame that the majority of my fellow committee members voted against this commonsense legislation.”
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