Hannah Meiselman

Thank you for the opportunity to testify. I respectfully oppose HB 1272. This bill would allow towns and school districts to add party affiliation to local ballots. Local offices function best when they remain focused on community needs rather than national political identities. Introducing party labels risks increasing polarization, discouraging independent or unaffiliated candidates, and shifting attention away from the practical responsibilities of school boards and town officials. New Hampshire’s non-partisan local elections help ensure that candidates are evaluated on their qualifications, service, and commitment to their communities—not their party registration. HB 1272 offers no clear benefit to voters and carries significant potential to undermine trust and collaboration in local governance.