New Hampshire governor vetoes redistricting bill [View all]

The governor of New Hampshire for the second year in a row vetoed a bipartisan bill that would have created an independent commission in New Hampshire to redraw the state’s legislative districts.

Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, who is up for reelection, on Friday argued there is no need for the commission because gerrymandering is rare in the state and the current redistricting process was fair.

“New Hampshire has a redistricting process that is fair, representative, and accountable to voters. New Hampshire takes the process seriously and we should take pride that issues of gerrymandering in the State are rare,” Sununu said in his veto statement. “As we have made clear time and time again this legislative session, we must be careful before pursuing wholesale changes to systems that have proven themselves to work for New Hampshire.

Supporters, including the state’s Democratic Party, argued Sununu’s veto was a blow to individual rights and transparency.

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