Redistricting maps redrawn
This proposed map, published by NHPR and WMUR, was included in a report to the House Redistricting Committee.
The New Hampshire House Special Committee on Redistricting voted Tuesday, Nov. 16, to adopt a Republican-drawn redistricting map.
Every ten years, new Congressional maps are drawn based on data from the Census. The New Hampshire State Legislature is responsible for adopting a new map of New Hampshire’s Congressional districts based on updated population and demographic information.
The Republican-designed congressional map would make drastic changes within the 1st District currently represented by Congressman Chris Pappas (D).
Towns that lean Democratic, such as Portsmouth, Dover, and Durham, would be shifted into the 2nd District. Republican-leaning towns such as Atkinson, Salem, Pelham, and Windham would become part of the 1st District.
NHPR reported that Governor Sununu has indicated that he believes the Congressional maps are legally acceptable. However, Sununu has yet to provide further comment on whether or not he will sign the maps into law.
House Democrats have spoken out against the Republican drawn map. According to WMUR, Representative Matt Wilhelm (D-Manchester) stated that the maps show that the New Hampshire GOP’s top priority is to steal power from voters.
Although there is no set deadline for when the redistricting process will conclude, maps must be approved before the candidate filing deadline of June 1, 2022.
It is expected that there will be more updates regarding the redistricting process in the next few weeks as the maps move through the House and Senate.
