Episode 32767: Open Democracy Minute for February 1, 2022: A NH Senate Hearing on NH House and Congressional Maps

You're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.   A fascinating NH Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs committee hearing on Monday, as the House-approved Congressional & NH House voting districts had a public hearing.   The House-approved HB 50 NH House district map has been updated with an amendment, giving one more rep to Manchester, changing a district in Concord, and giving Berlin its own House district.  Chairwoman Barbara Griffin also indicated that there is another amendment pending, which would give two unspecified towns in Rockingham County their own House districts. No amendments yet on the rigged HB 52 Congressional voting district map, which rendered both CD 1 and C2 uncompetitive.  Governor Chris Sununu has asked for the map to be changed, but reportedly there have been no amendments or conversations between the Governor’s office and the committee.  Behind the scenes there have been compromise amendments for both the gerrymandered Congressional and NH Senate districts which would make the maps competitive again, but so far there has been no indication that the Republican majority will budge from the rigged maps.   Voters testifying at the hearing almost universally condemned the maps, as majority appeared disinterested in their comments.   Observers think that the Senate committee will vote on the proposals within the next two weeks, and the full Senate the week after.  IAs Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it's something we DO.”  For the Open Democracy Minute, I'm Brian Beihl.