As Redistricting Gets Underway, AOTL and 603 Forward Call for Maps Fairly Reflecting New Hampshire's Competitive Nature
For Immediate Release:
8/12/2021
Contact: Lucas Meyer
lucas@603forward.org
603-568-2511
Manchester, NH — Following today’s release of redistricting data by the U.S. Census Bureau, 603Forward and All On The Line are calling on New Hampshire lawmakers to enact fair maps accurately reflecting the Granite State's status as a political swing state. Both of New Hampshire’s congressional districts should remain competitive, mirroring the state as a whole. The executive council maps should be redrawn to better represent communities of interest and reflect the partisan balance of the state, especially the second executive council district, which is one of the most egregious gerrymanders in state history.
The new data, which enables map drawers to earnestly begin the mapping process, is expected to be used by New Hampshire’s Republican-controlled legislature to gerrymander their party into illegitimate and unrepresentative power. Stephen Stepanek, Chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party, said earlier this year, “[Because we control redistricting], I can stand here today and guarantee you that we will send a conservative Republican to Washington, D.C. as a Congress person in 2022.”
“Today marks an opportunity for our state to commit to an open and transparent process that reflects the will of the people, not corrupt politicians. The decisions made this year will shape our lives and our communities for the next decade, and we intend on making sure we hold those in power accountable to drawing fair maps,” said Lucas S. Meyer, 603 Forward Chairman. “The fact is that Republicans have run corrupt, chaotic, and confusing map drawing processes in the past which have clearly benefited their party’s hold on power, and their party’s chairman openly proclaimed that will happen again this year.”
“Mirroring New Hampshire's citizen legislature, the redistricting process should also include robust public input from all Granite Staters. This includes public hearings in each county before maps and after maps are released with at least one week’s public notice,” said Liz Wester with All On The Line. “The people of New Hampshire deserve a map that gives them an opportunity to elect politicians that accurately represent the makeup of the state as a whole.”
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