This week's focus is a trio of Democrat-sponsored bills focused on improving absentee voting access, and a bill providing more protections to those with PFAS contamination in their water. Please contact all your State Representatives by Wednesday and ask them to support the 4 bills outlined below. 

Please contact your State Representatives and ask them to SUPPORT the 3 bills below related to absentee voting. You may look up contact information for your Reps here.

• Tell your State Representatives that you are a constituent and you consider voting records at election time. 
• Your email subject line should include reference to being a constituent. Example: Constituent Request: Vote to Support Easier Absentee Voting. 
• Short emails are more effective. State your request and just a few talking points, put into your own words, or a personal story.
  

SUPPORT CACR5, relating to absentee ballots. Providing that no excuse shall be needed by the voter to receive an absentee ballot.

Rep. Connie Lane (D-Concord) for the Minority of Election Law: This CACR would allow a registered voter the opportunity to vote by absentee ballot without providing any excuse, such as out-of-town or being a caregiver or disabled. 29 states allow no excuse absentee ballots, including FL, GA, ID, AZ, WY, ND, SD, MT and NE. Eight other states conduct all mail-in voting, which is in reality no excuse absentee ballot voting. No excuse absentee ballot voting is secure. Over 18 years, Oregonians have cast 50 million absentee ballots with only 2 cases of fraudulent abuse, for a fraud rate of .000004%. You are more likely to be hit by lightning than have a voter commit absentee ballot fraud. Benefits of no excuse absentee voting include: reduction of wait lines at the polls; easier management for election officials; and it does not significantly benefit either major party. Our constituents overwhelmingly want no excuse absentee voting to deal with the fact that they find it difficult, if not impossible, to vote in person at the polls. Upwards of 70% want the choice to vote by absentee ballot. This CACR will allow the people of NH to decide whether to allow no-excuse absentee ballots, rather than the House and Senate. The minority feels that NH voters should have the right to determine if they want the same access and freedom to vote that the vast majority of Americans already enjoy.

SUPPORT HB136, extending the time period for delivery of an absentee ballot from 5:00 p.m. to the close of the polls.

Rep. Matthew Wilhelm (D-Manchester) for the Minority of Election Law: The minority of the committee believes that the passage of this bill would clear up confusion for voters delivering their completed absentee ballots to their local polling location on the day of the election. The committee heard testimony of voters who were turned away from submitting a completed absentee ballot because they arrived at their polling location after the absentee ballot deadline of 5:00pm, despite polling locations remaining open later into the evening. This bill would amend RSA 657:17, aligning the deadline to deliver completed absentee ballots with the time that polls close at each local polling location and clearing up confusion for those committed to exercising their right to vote.

SUPPORT HB344, enables the processing of absentee ballots before election day.

Rep. James Newsom (D-Contoocock) for the Minority of Election Law: This bill would allow, but not require, a return to the successful procedures used during COVID by allowing moderators who so chose to open absentee ballot outer envelopes up to one week prior to the election, instead of the currently mandated “on election day.” The ballots are not removed from the outer envelope; all security measures remain in place; the bill does not alter the requirements of public notice or the ability of the public to witness. This bill will allow moderators to identify problems with absentee ballots, notify the voter who may be able to cure the deficiency. In person testimony from clerks and moderators were strongly in favor of the bill as it will save time on election day to get all ballots counted easier and earlier and therefore more accurately. Citizens support this bill at a rate of over 6 to 1. The minority thinks it best to listen to our election officials and our constituents and therefore must recommend Ought to Pass.

Please contact your State Representatives and ask them to SUPPORT HB199. You may look up contact information for your Reps here.

• Tell your State Representatives that you are a constituent and you consider voting records at election time. 
• Your email subject line should include reference to being a constituent. Example: Constituent Request: Vote to Support HB199. 
• Short emails are more effective. State your request and just a few talking points, put into your own words, or a personal story.
  

SUPPORT HB199-FN, extending the statute of limitation on civil actions relative to damage caused by per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Rep. Marjorie Smith (D-Durham) for the Majority of Judiciary: This bill extends the statute of limitation on civil actions brought relative to damage caused by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). By extending the statute of limitations to 20 years, individuals and entities have ample time to discover potential claims and have a fair and reasonable time to seek justice. In certain cases, the harm may not be evident for some time. The 20 year limit allows for thorough investigation and action designed to protect public welfare. It also may serve as a deterrent, discouraging entities to engage in misconduct. This limit balances the right of potential plaintiffs to seek justice while preventing indefinite legal liability for defendants.

You may watch House hearings live or recorded here.
You may watch Senate hearings live or recorded here. 

Info Sourced from Hillsborough County Democratic Committee