NH Primary Source: Merged voting rights, campaign finance reform groups to begin NH field operation
ON-THE-GROUND. Two leading progressive groups – pushing for campaign finance reform and voting rights – plan to launch a significant field operation in the Granite State ahead of the state elections later this year.
End Citizens United and Let America Vote said the joint effort will “work to elect legislative candidates, provide volunteers and organizational support for endorsed candidates and work with in-state partners to make voting safe, accessible and fair." Jeff Taylor has been named New Hampshire state director.
The groups have begun their effort by sending letters to Gov. Chris Sununu and Secretary of State bill Gardner urging them to allow for voting by mail due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gardner and Attorney General Gordon MacDonald on Friday issued a guidance on the subject, allowing people to vote and register by mail as a result of the pandemic udner the state’s definition of “disability.”
“New Hampshire is a battleground state and a crucial state in the fight to root out corruption and make government work for everyone,” said Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United and Let America Vote. “The state Legislature has already passed several comprehensive government and voting reform bills, only to see Governor Sununu veto them.
“We’re expanding our in-state operations because we have a prime opportunity to flip the governorship, hold onto the state Legislature and pass crucial reforms that New Hampshire families are calling for. We’re excited about this new on-the-ground effort and we look forward to making New Hampshire a model of success for other states.”
The groups said that in 2019 Sununu vetoed legislation to call on Congress to pass a constitutional amendment to overturn the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court Citizens United ruling, to establish an independent redistricting commission and to allow absentee voting for any reason.
End Citizens United’s first New Hampshire U.S. Senate endorsement was for Sen. Maggie Hassan in 2016, when it also had a $1.4 million ad buy on her behald. The group also backed U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas in 2018 and has already endorsed his reelection, as well as the reelection bid of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.
Let America Vote says it was instrumental in the flipping the state Legislature from a Republican to a Democratic majority in 2018.