Senate Bill Aims to Split New Hampshire’s Electoral Votes
Concord, NH — In a significant move, Senate conservatives are advocating for a bill to modify how New Hampshire allocates its electoral votes. Currently, the state awards all four electoral votes to the candidate who wins the popular vote. However, Senate Bill 11 proposes a change that would split the votes, allocating two at-large and one to each of the state’s congressional districts.
Sen. Bill Gannon (R-Sandown), the bill’s sponsor, testified before the Senate committee on Election Law and Municipal Affairs, emphasizing that the intention is to enhance the representation of New Hampshire voters and bolster political engagement. He highlighted that this change could reinvigorate the state’s role as a competitive swing state, noting that Democrats won recent elections by narrow margins.
“New Hampshire should remain the most engaged state,” Gannon said. “This change would give voters a greater sense of impact, ensuring their voices are heard and acknowledged.” He argued that a more proportional system could attract candidates to the state and maintain its significance in the presidential primaries. Gannon pointed out that had the electoral votes been allocated differently, candidates like Donald Trump might have shown greater interest in campaigning in New Hampshire.
However, the proposal has faced considerable opposition, with several individuals testifying against it. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka, the Democratic Senate minority leader, questioned the underlying motivations of the bill, noting that while Republicans dominate state elections, Democrats often win presidential contests. Liz Tentarelli, president of the League of Women Voters of New Hampshire, warned that adopting this system could lead to presidential elections being decided by the U.S. House of Representatives, a prospect she finds alarming.
As discussions continue, the bill’s fate remains uncertain amid polarized views on its implications for New Hampshire’s electoral integrity.
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