Concord, NH – The citizens in Merrimack and Conway overwhelmingly passed a non-binding referendum article that stated “The citizens of New Hampshire should be allowed to vote on an amendment to the New Hampshire Constitution that defines “marriage”. The article was approved 65%-35% in Merrimack and 67%-33% in Conway at their Town Meetings on Tuesday, April 13, 2010. These are the most recent towns to vote on a state-wide petition aimed at giving New Hampshire citizens a chance to vote on the definition of marriage.
- The approval rate is now 65% among towns that voted on this article.
- Voters said YES in 61 out of the 94 towns where this article was brought to a vote.
Even more revealing is the fact that the article was approved without exception in every SB2 town. These are towns where citizens vote on an official (secret) ballot instead of in the conventional Town Meeting forum. “When people can vote their convictions in privacy without the concern of being labeled a hateful bigot, the majority obviously supports the people’s right to vote on the definition of marriage”, said State Representative David Bates, the person responsible for the petition effort and the LetNHVote.com website.
The article was originally petitioned by citizens in 148 (60%) of the State’s towns. Homosexual activist groups that are opposed to letting voters decide the definition of marriage mounted an aggressive campaign to undermine the “LetNHvote” petition effort. They had the article deleted by amendment in 16 towns and tabled in 33 others. “It is sad that groups like Granite State Progress and New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition are so determined to deny people the most fundamental right we have as Americans – the right to vote”, said Representative Bates.
“The message from citizens in every part of the State is clear. The people of New Hampshire are not pleased with the law that went into effect three months ago and they want to vote on the definition of marriage.” The LetNHvote campaign will continue until the voters have that opportunity.
This issue is far from settled in New Hampshire. It will likely be a significant consideration in the minds of many voters in September and November when they decide who to elect to represent them in the next legislature.
Several more towns will vote on the marriage amendment article before the fall elections. Chester, New Castle, Peterborough, and Sanbornton hold their Town Meetings in May and have the article on their warrants.
Recent Comments