Is gerrymandering a problem in NH?

According to a study from the Associated Press, the borders of New Hampshire’s voting districts favor the Republican Party. 

The study used a formula that compares a party’s share of voters in the population to the actual vote outcomes.  Looking at the 2016 election, only five states had a more disproportionate outcome than New Hampshire.

These results fuel accusations that Republicans used “gerrymandering” when they redrew electoral districts after the last census.  Gerrymandering refers to the practice of drawing voting boundaries to favor one party, race, or class.

However, there were many factors other than voting boundaries that could have impacted the results of the 2016 elections, especially during a presidential election year.

The New Hampshire Supreme Court has also ruled the Republican districts do not violate any laws.

Some lawmakers would still like to see an independent redistricting commission – or even a computer algorithm – take over the process of drawing voting districts after the next census.  This year the New Hampshire Legislature killed three bills to set up a neutral redistricting system.

Visit our issue page to learn more about the debate over redistricting. 

Do you think New Hampshire’s districts favor the Republican Party?  Share your thoughts in the comments below.