SCR1: affirming the general court’s support for New Hampshire’s first in the nation primary.

SCR 1 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES

2023 SESSION

23-0891

08/04

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1

A RESOLUTION affirming the general court’s support for New Hampshire’s first in the nation primary.

SPONSORS: Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. Bradley, Dist 3; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Sen. Gannon, Dist 23; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Altschiller, Dist 24; Sen. Gray, Dist 6; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Ricciardi, Dist 9; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Abbas, Dist 22; Sen. Gendreau, Dist 1; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Ward, Dist 8; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. Soucy, Dist 18; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20; Sen. Chandley, Dist 11; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Sen. Whitley, Dist 15; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5

COMMITTEE: No Committee Assignment

ANALYSIS

This concurrent resolution affirms the general court's support for the New Hampshire's first in the nation primary.

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23-0891

08/04

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three

A RESOLUTION affirming the general court’s support for New Hampshire’s first in the nation primary.

Whereas, New Hampshire first held a primary election for president in 1916, and has held the first in the nation presidential primary since 1920; and

Whereas, New Hampshire’s first in the nation presidential primary is a historic and valued landmark in our state and our nation’s democratic culture; and

Whereas, New Hampshire voters have consistently and proudly had one of the highest participation rates in the nation, cherishing their role in vetting presidential candidates through person-to-person, grassroots campaigning; and

Whereas, the need to engage with voters across New Hampshire provides a necessary proving ground for candidates wishing to serve in the most powerful office in the world, not only testing their political skills but better preparing them for the Oval Office; and

Whereas, attempts by national political organizations to alter the presidential nominating calendar and dictate election laws to the people of New Hampshire have been met with widespread, bipartisan condemnation; and

Whereas, New Hampshire’s first in the nation presidential primary has grown over the past century into a vital part of our state’s identity; now, therefore be it

Resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the general court of the state of New Hampshire hereby affirms its support for New Hampshire’s first in the nation presidential primary, and its confidence in the secretary of state to ensure that New Hampshire’s primary maintain its legal and proper status at least one week before any similar nominating contest.

That the general court expects all political parties to respect the results of New Hampshire’s first in the nation presidential primary by seating the delegates selected by New Hampshire voters at their national nominating conventions.