I was an observer in Nashua Ward 5 during the municipal election.. A young person who wanted to register did not have his passport with him. He was able to text his Mother who took a picture of his passport and he was able to continue registering. If he had been trying this on election day, and needed to return home to get his passport, he might have not returned, due to long lines and a full parking lot. We need young people to vote. Given a bad experience, that young man may have been totally turned off of voting. I've heard that if a young person registers to vote, he'll likely be a voter for the rest of his life. We need to know how many people get turned away at the polls, so that there is verifiable proof that the citizenship requirement is a barrier to registering.
HB1487
House · 2026 sessionDemocraticKilled in HouseIndependent redistricting advisory commission
AIEstablishes an independent advisory commission, with members screened by retired judges, to draw and propose legislative and congressional redistricting maps for the legislature's consideration.
creating an independent commission to propose redistricting maps for the legislature to consider.
Status
Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 5, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Division of testimony
254 submissionsArgument digest · AI-generated
from 56 of 56 written submissionsHB1487 would create an independent commission to propose legislative redistricting maps for the legislature to consider, rather than leaving map-drawing to whichever party controls the process. Nearly all submissions support the bill, arguing an independent, nonpartisan process would produce fairer maps, curb gerrymandering, and restore public trust in elections; a smaller number specifically call for transparent criteria and public input in that process. Little organized opposition appears among the submissions reviewed.
- Independent commission would produce fairer maps than partisan controlSupport47 of 56 reviewed
The core and most common argument is that an independent, nonpartisan commission would draw fairer, less gerrymandered districts than the current system, where the party in power draws its own maps.
“An independent commission to create redistricting maps for the legislature to vote on is much fairer than the party in power abusing fair and equitable elections.”
— Gail Coffey, Wilton · #543992 — read full submission →
“An independent commission is the only truly democratic way to conduct re-districting. NH voters are fed up with partisan gerrymandering.”
— Jennifer Highland, Bridgewater · #547275 — read full submission →
- Would restore public trust and reduce corruptionSupport5 of 56 reviewed
Several submitters argue that removing partisanship from redistricting would restore public confidence in the integrity of elections and reduce corruption in how districts are drawn.
“Many states have independent redistricting commissions, and the result is less corruption and better representation for citizens.”
— Debora Hatcher, Dover · #544842 — read full submission →
“Putting redistricting in the hands of an independent nonpartisan commission is necessary to not only restore public faith in the integrity of our elections but also to be true to our democratic ideals.”
— Kirsten Hugger, Mont Vernon · #550380 — read full submission →
- Process should include public input and clear criteriaSupport3 of 56 reviewed
A few submitters emphasize that the commission's map-drawing process should include opportunities for public input and transparent, clearly defined criteria to limit gerrymandering.
- Personal experience of being affected by a gerrymandered districtSupport1 of 56 reviewed
One submitter describes their own district being redrawn in a way they consider partisan gerrymandering that diluted their community's prior, more balanced representation.
Generated by claude-sonnet-5 (claude code agent) on Jul 22, 2026. Quotes are verbatim excerpts, verified against the cited submission before publication. Summaries are AI interpretation of the record, not part of it.
I am for an INDEPENDENT commission, not a political party affiliated commission..
Rape kits provide essential evidence, which must be properly handled and preserved in order for victims to have access to to everything which brings them the best chance for justice, and healing.
Gerrymandering harms our democracy. It decreases accountability of representatives to their constituents. We have seen the creep of gerrymandering in New Hampshire redistricting, most notable after 2020 with the Executive Council and State Senate districts. Putting redistricting in the hands of an independent nonpartisan commission is necessary to not only restore public faith in the integrity of our elections but also to be true to our democratic ideals.
I believe an independent redistricting commission is very important so that voters choose their politicians, not the other way around when politicians in power use gerrymandering.
note testimony is for non-german amendment as well as HB1300
I support the creation of an independent commission to propose redistricting maps for the legislature to consider.
I oppose the bill and the amendment.
Gerrymandering is undemocratic. Let the voters decide. An independent commission will put the power where it belongs, with the voters.
Establishing a non-political independent redistricting board is long overdue. We need to keep trying, so please pass this out of committee with a recommendation to pass.
I strongly support having independent redistricting commission, to ensure the best representation for all NH citizens. Enough is enough—no more gerrymandering!
An independent commission is the only truly democratic way to conduct re-districting. NH voters are fed up with partisan gerrymandering. If you can’t win an election in an independently-created district, then you should not be elected, period.
As an election clerk, I believe that we must make it easier for all legitimate citizens to vote.
Removing redistricting from political swings is in the best interests of the voters.
I support an independent commission on redistricting to ensure that voting access is fair.
We need to insure that our elections are accessible and fair. NH already has the most restrictive election laws in the country. Don’t make it worse.
I support HB 1487 because an independent redistricting commission can help create fairer, less partisan legislative district maps and restore public trust in how lines are drawn. We NEED to be free from the political sides creating fake districts just to get a win without real representation.
We need an independent commission to propose redistricting maps for the legislature to consider.
I strongly support this bill!
In the end, an independence redistricting commission is the fairest way to build a foundation under our elections. PLEASE PASS THIS BILL!
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Our state and its residents deserve fair and equal representation. This bill allowing the creation of an independent commission to propose fair representation is worthy of our citizens' democratic rights.
Voters should pick their legislators - legislators should not pick their voters.
Let's put an independent, impartial commission in charge of redistricting. We need to make the districts as fair as possible! This can absolutely be done by competent people with no partisan agenda.
Elections are bipartisan and the maps for the districts should be bipartisan.