@TheLizMac@RoKhanna The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) was passed in 2002. The U.S. Gov’t has already incentivized States to improve their elections and Congress has legitimate authority to do so.
@smolsen@RoKhanna NH AccuVote machines are no longer being produced. NH has solicited vendors for more modern machines but has been unable to find a vendor willing to affordably comply with State requirements; production of a paper ballot being one of those requirements.
Let’s not forget the time in 2016 when SoS Garner invited Kris Kobach (then-Kansas SoS responsible for disenfranchising thousands) to brief House Election Law on how to do the same in NH... #NHPolitics
Deputy SOS is a nonpartisan post. Yet SOS staff campaigning for Gardner on govt time with govt resources. Gardner is not a nonpartisan actor. He's been campaigning all along & his activist agenda to restrict voting rights is partisan. #nhpolitics
@ColinVanOstern has gone the extra mile to make sure any NH legislator—Republican or Democrat—had the chance to speak with him about the SoS office and his candidacy. Conversely, SoS Gardner’s approach to the office and election has been defined by unaccountability. #NHPolitics
I love a rally, but Governors as far back as 40 years ago don’t vote for Secretary of State. Colin continues to do what my friend Bill did 42 years ago - meet with every last legislator - 1 on 1, or in small groups. Colin brings fresh, nonpartisan ideas to the table. #NHPolitics
@JudyReardon The “Attorney Letter” was intense - if I were a legislator I’d want a point-by-point response ASAP-at least to the issue of tons of taxpayer $ going to misguided cases; alleged retaliation against local officials, and support of impeachment of a well-respected judge. #NHPolitics
Colin has pitched Republicans and Democrats alike—in person and in their communities—on detailed proposals to bring the NH Secretary of State office into the 21st century. Thankful for the thoughtful GOP & Dem leaders who are giving change a chance. #NHPolitics#PassingtheTorch
@RogueB91@HdeBreeNH Again, I disagree that my vote is partisan. And I’d further disagree that—if there is a partisan trend—it is starting with this vote. SoS Gardner invited Kobach to brief Election Law in ‘16; he advocated for HB 1264; and continues to fight for SB 3.
RSA 659:44–a expressly prohibits a “public employee” from “electioneer[ing] while in the performance of his or her official duties.” And SoS Gardner just invited all incoming reps to his office tomorrow to talk about his “many accomplishments”... #NHPolitics
@DebbyBButler Thanks Debby! This certainly seems to fit the situation better than my cursory search results do. I’m still unwilling (and unqualified) to say whether the SoS violated the law. But his email gave me a healthy pause for for thought...
Today’s one-sided Secretary of State forum with roughly a dozen legislators in attendance (out of 424) was a missed opportunity. The official charged with stewarding NH elections should not be above a fair & open debate when it comes to his own election. #NHPolitics#WeNeedDebate
@HdeBreeNH Touché; but it’s not a good look for the SoS. Especially considering the amount of grief he’s giving his opponent r.e. campaigning. I won’t go so far as to say it violates of the law—but it seems to violate the spirit of 659:44-a.
https://t.co/iq42ZiCwJC Linked is a great perspective from my friend @TheoGroh on the significance of how we run our elections. The time for improvement is now. #NHPolitics