NH House Testimony

CACR25

House · 2026 sessionDemocraticKilled in House

Constitutional right to marry

AI

Proposes a state constitutional amendment establishing marriage as a fundamental civil right and requiring the state to recognize and protect every individual's right to marry and have their marriage legally recognized regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or race, subject to voter approval in November 2026.

relative to the right to marry. Providing that the right to marry is a fundamental civil right and that the state shall protect the right of every individual, regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or race, to marry and to have their marriage legally recognized.

CACRDiscriminationDomestic RelationsElections

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 13, 2026
  1. Introduced
  2. House
  3. Senate
  4. On the ballot

Division of testimony

638 submissions
Support 631Oppose 7Neutral 0

Argument digest · AI-generated

from 226 of 226 written submissions

CACR25 would amend the New Hampshire Constitution to declare marriage a fundamental civil right and require the state to protect every individual's right to marry and have that marriage legally recognized, regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or race. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with submitters framing the amendment as a necessary safeguard against possible federal rollback of marriage equality; the small amount of opposing testimony reflected either a libertarian objection to state involvement in marriage licensing or apparent confusion about what the bill does.

Generated by claude-sonnet-5 (claude code agent) on Jul 20, 2026. Quotes are verbatim excerpts, verified against the cited submission before publication. Summaries are AI interpretation of the record, not part of it.

Daniel BelairSupportBow, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

I support this bill, people should be able to marry whoever they choose.

Mark FortinSupportNottingham, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

When are we going to learn that when we give someone else basic human rights, it doesn't lessen yours? It's not pie. If you don't want to get "gay" married, the next time a gay person proposes to you, say no.

Susan BelairSupportBow, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

All NH citizens should be free to marry who they choose. I encourage you to preserve marriage equality for all NH residents.

Rebecca DominSupportNottingham, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

We need to protect the rights of EVERY citizen of NH, not just the ones who look, talk, or love like us. Making marriage equality part of our Constitution does not remove rights from heterosexual marriages, it just protects the rights of others. If you say are for freedom, but that doesn't apply to everyone, you are not for freedom, you are for protecting your privilege.

Judith BlachekSupportNashua, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

I fully support marriage between two consenting adults, no matter their gender. Everyone deserves the right to love who they wish and have their relationship sanctioned in marriage by the state and federal governments. This provides rights to inherit, pay taxes as a couple, and make medical decisions if one person is incapacitated. I fully support this bill. Thank you,

Rachel MacNeillSupportDerry, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

I'm a married, gay constituent among many others in town. If you truly represent me, you'll acknowledge that I'm a consenting adult who can be in a relationship with any other consenting adult I choose. If not, then you obviously don't represent me, and I'll be happy to support others in future. Thanks.

Ashley MacNeillSupportDerry, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

Adults should be able to marry other adults.

Beth VioletteSupportBedford, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

I support explicitly protecting marriage equality in the New Hampshire Constitution because it affirms a simple principle: all families deserve equal dignity, legal protection, and stability under the law. Marriage is not just a personal or religious institution—it is a civil contract that carries over 1,000 legal rights and responsibilities related to healthcare decision-making, inheritance, taxation, parenting, and end-of-life care. When access to those protections depends on who you love, the state is failing its obligation to treat citizens equally. From a health and community perspective, stable, legally recognized relationships matter. Decades of research show that legal recognition of relationships is associated with better mental health, reduced stress, and stronger social support—factors that directly influence health outcomes. Removing or weakening marriage protections introduces uncertainty and harm, not just for couples but for their children and extended families. Putting marriage equality in the Constitution matters because statutory rights can be reversed. Constitutional protection provides stability across political cycles and ensures that fundamental civil rights are not subject to shifting majorities. This is not about special rights. It is about equal protection, equal responsibility, and equal recognition under the law. In New Hampshire, where we value individual liberty and limited government interference, protecting marriage equality is consistent with our deepest traditions: the government should not decide which families are worthy of legal protection.

Gregory ErskineSupportManchester, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

let's get this protected and move on with our happily married lives

Arwen MellorSupportRindge, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

Adults should absolutely be guaranteed to Roth to marry other consenting adults as they please. Marriage isn’t about the morals of others it is about a union between two people legally entered within our state.

Kathleen MalsbendenSupportNewmarket, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

CACR 25 protects the freedom to marry by placing marriage equality directly in the New Hampshire Constitution. Constitutional rights should not depend on political shifts or court changes. This resolution ensures equal treatment and lasting protection for all families. I urge the committee to recommend Ought to Pass.

Michelle DunnSupportWarner, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

You absolutely need to support this bill. These are fundamental rights and need to be enshrined into New Hampshire law. Protect our LGBTQ residents, stop attacking them.

Kristen bannisterSupportManchester, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

New Hampshire is a state that respects the autonomy people have for how they live their lives. This concept should pertain to marriage as well.

Rosie EmrichSupportHooksett, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

Everyone in NH deserves to know they will always have the right to marry. Can't think of any reason why someone wouldn't support this!

Stephen BirchmoreSupportManchester, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

In the "live free" state everyone should have the right to marriage regardless of race, gender, religion, political affiliation. This right should be protected by our state constitution.

Diana BortzSupportManchester, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

I believe that everyone should have the right to marriage regardless of race, gender, religion, or political affiliation especially in the live free state.

Stephanie VazzanoSupportConcord, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

YES! In a world where case law becomes more and more prevalent, the State of New Hampshire needs to absolutely adopt these kinds of amendments so that we remain a safe, inclusive place to live, not leaving important rights issues up to case law.

Helena RozierSupportPeterborough, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

I support this bill.

Kristina CzoschkeSupportBedford, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

We have already witnessed reproductive rights being terminated. We have witnessed the people lobbying for that termination regret their choices for the impact it left. We cannot let that happen again. I shouldn’t have to explain the positive impacts there are for recognizing happy marriages. I shouldn’t have to explain that we can see how our rights can be protected when a state constitution explicitly states what the nation will not. I don’t have to explain the honor, privilege, and gravity of being first at something. I personally believe it’s a shame that New Hampshire has the motto Live Free or Die and we don’t strive to reflect that. Protect our right to live freely.

Deanna LussierSupportRumney, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

I support this bill.

Elisa ChenSupportConcord, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

I am a bisexual, asian woman, engaged to a white man, and I have numerous friends and family living in NH that are queer or mixed race. It feels like everyday we lose more rights and freedoms, so I am strongly in support of this bill to protect the right to marriage equality in the NH constitution. If not for myself, then for all of my loved ones.

Lynn LippittSupportMILFORD, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

Dear Committee Members, I strongly support CACR25 because it establishes marriage as a fundamental civil right for New Hampshire's citizens. Freedom to marry another adult of your choosing is a basic civil right that harms no one. Yet I have friends whose lives will be negatively impacted if the Supreme Court reverses their Obergefell ruling and their marriages are invalidated. Marriage carries responsibilities of care for another and gives the priveledges of being considered family when a loved one is hospitalized or passes away. Marriage is a civil institution that the government approves to convey special advantages, including tax advantages. These advantages should not be denied to adults in a committed relationship because a minority of religious people object. I urge you to vote yes to pass CACR25. Sincerely, Lynn Lippitt

Amy WashburnSupportRaymond, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

The right to marry is critical for ALL consenting couples.

Erin PearsonSupportHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

I support marriage equality. Love is love. Government should not be allowed to tell consenting adults who they are allowed to marry.

Susan BlissSupportHopkinton, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

I support this bill. We are all children of god and god loves and values each one of us equally.