House Speaker Comments on State Receiving US Department of Justice Approval of House Redistricting Plan

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien today offered the following comments on the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) giving pre-clearance of the redistricting plan for the House of Representatives.  According to documentation that the Attorney General’s Office provided to the state Supreme Court, the USDOJ indicated that they do not object to the new House plan.  New Hampshire is one of several states subject to Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which requires that the state receive clearance from the federal government for election changes, such as redistricting.  The plan was submitted to the USDOJ on April 6, giving them the full 60-day window to review the plan.

House Speaker William O’Brien

“This approval by the federal government shows just how carefully the House redistricting plan considered all elements of redistricting.  It demonstrates the plan’s commitment to consider all legal and constitutional requirements and to synthesize and navigate the many constraints to come up with the best plan possible.  This is just one more piece of evidence that the House redistricting plan is appropriate to meet these goals while doubling the number of districts across the state.”

 

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