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Public hearing on SB 485


Wed, 01/30/2008 - 9:30am

State House Room 103, Concord, NH
Corrected the date to January 30th.

At the request of the New Hampshire Committee for an Independent Voice (NHCIV), State Senator Peter Burling has introduced SB485, which changes the references — in NH election law, the voter checklist, and our voter registration cards — to voters who are registered as a member of no political party from "undeclared" to "independent."

NHCIV supports this legislation, as it provides for the political identity that independents are seeking. We are not undeclared, we are independent! "Undeclared" implies we have not decided which political party to join; "independent" is a more affirmative statement that we don't want to join a political party at all.

The process of registering will remain the same. A voter can register as an independent, vote in the primary and then re-register at the polling station to remain an independent.

NHCIV recognizes that there is much more to be accomplished in obtaining political access for independents. However, this is an important step in that process. NHCIV is committed to continuing the dialogue, engagement and action necessary to obtain full access to the political process.

The hearing is open to the public. Anyone can testify at the hearing, all that is required is that you sign in upon arrival. NHCIV will have representatives there, if you'd like to join us, either come to the hearing or contact Betty Ward, betty@nhciv.org or 603-496-5511, and let us know.

Independently yours,

Betty Ward
New Hampshire Committee for an Independent Voice
By roger at 01/21/2008 - 22:02 | Action alerts | Voter registration | login or register to post comments | calendar

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But there is sometimes an Independent party

I think this is why we are Undeclareds. Ross Perot ran in the "Independent" party, didn't he?
By ntobi at Tue, 01/22/2008 - 12:30pm | login or register to post comments

Real independent

The word independent can mean many things in politics. The best example I can give is that Joe Lieberman is not really an independent, but he used that status to win an election. Ross Perot used it as a party identifier. They considered it a party block, much like any other identifier of party. However, it is also a perspective. Yet, someone in NY who has that perspective (being independent) can't vote. Lumping anyone who does not subscribe to a dogma, or feel connected to a party, into a category of undecided does not accurately define them. The assumption is that they just have not decided if they are red or blue. Some people will never be either. Therefore, identifying a voter as independent rather then undecided is a bit more accurate. If Bloomberg decides to run as an independent, he needs to be clear about what that means. Would it mean he is running as an independent citizen or he assuming that he is the leader of an independent party? Or would he be running in the undecided party? From my perspective, these distinctions are important.
By russouellette at Wed, 01/23/2008 - 11:09am | login or register to post comments