Randy Hilman: Moultonborough voters should act about gerrymandering

To The Daily Sun,

Representative democracy only works when voters choose their leaders — not when politicians choose their voters.

That’s why gerrymandering, regardless of party, undermines public trust and weakens our voice.

New Hampshire’s 2020 redistricting process stands as a textbook failure of governance. It dragged on for 20 months — the longest in the nation — leaving New Hampshire the last state to complete redistricting.

Fair maps were achieved only after the State Supreme Court intervened. The state’s lone non-gerrymandered congressional map was not drawn by legislators, but by court-appointed experts, and it was finalized just 10 days before the candidate filing deadline. That is not how a healthy democracy should function.

The solution is simple and sensible: Establish an Independent Redistricting Commission dedicated to fair electoral representation.

More than 70 New Hampshire towns and cities have already adopted resolutions urging the Legislature to do just that.

This year alone, 25 municipalities — including Moultonborough — are considering similar resolutions at Town Meeting.

If all pass, 42% of New Hampshire’s 221 towns and 13 cities will be on record calling for reform. Nearby communities like Sandwich, Wolfeboro, and Gilford have already stepped up.

This effort is backed by respected, nonpartisan organizations such as Open Democracy NH and 603 Forward — groups that study redistricting closely and advocate for fair, transparent processes.

Town Meeting is in March 2026. Moultonborough voters should seize this opportunity to join our neighbors, stand up for fair representation, and send a clear message to Concord: Our democracy deserves better maps, competitive elections and and better legislative accountability.

Randy Hilman

Moultonborough