Rep. Lisa Smart: Voters should do their own research before casting a ballot

To The Daily Sun,

As we all know, we have a Primary Election coming up with the General Election to follow. My intent is not to endorse anyone but to implore voters to do their research. Do they vote for the same candidate each time hoping they will represent their beliefs? Do they vote by name recognition? Do they feel their vote doesn’t count, so they don’t vote at all? Are they one who votes according to the voting guides that “nonpartisan” groups claim are the best candidates? Our United States, our New Hampshire way of life, is at stake this election.

There are ways to look up voting records. nhgeneralcourt.org will show you how each NH representative or senator voted, how many times they missed a vote, what bills they sponsored and co-sponsored. Did these bills help make life easier? Do they have the same morals and values voters have? Each representative also serves as a county delegate. Those meetings are recorded. Watch them. Did the representative vote to make life any better? Are they voting on one side of the aisle at the Statehouse but with the other side of the aisle at the county level? Is the “nonpartisan” group truly “nonpartisan?” Do they represent all the people, or only a small percentage of the community?

I can attest to the fact that both sides of the aisle will attack their own if they don’t follow the crowd, that “nonpartisan” groups will name call, and attack, without any knowledge of the individual they are smearing, to achieve their goal. Believe no one. Voters should research for themselves and get out and vote their conscience. Voters should use their voice, it matters.

Rep. Lisa Smart

Meredith