GOP moves to change Strafford County election. Dems call it 'gerrymandering at its worst'

DOVER — Republican state Sen. Jim Gray of Rochester is backing House Bill 75, which recently passed the state Senate, and calls for changing the way Strafford County commissioners are elected.

Democrats locally and at the state level are objecting, saying the legislation amounts to an out-of-turn attempt by Republicans at gerrymandering ahead of the next election.

Redistricting of voting maps happens nationally every 10 years, following the once-a-decade Census. Gray helped lead that process in New Hampshire last year with Republicans in majority control of the Senate, House and governor's office. No changes were made to Strafford County commissioner election at that time.

Gray is looking to make changes in time for the 2024 election, stating Strafford County elects county commissioners in a different way than the rest of New Hampshire's counties, and he feels it should be brought in line.

"All the other commissioners are elected by district," Gray said. "The voters in each district get a say. In Strafford County, the voters of the entire county choose the three at-large commissioners. This legislation is a critical step towards creating smaller, fairer districts that serve the best interests of our constituents."

HB 75 is being called unconstitutional by George Maglaras, a Democrat and longtime chairman of the Strafford County commissioners.

State Sen. Donna Soucy, D-Manchester, the minority leader, shared his sentiment. "Frankly, this bill, passed without a majority request from Strafford County officials or residents, smacks of partisan politics and gerrymandering at its worst,” she said in a prepared statement.

HB 75 is now heading back to the House because it was amended in the Senate after the House had approved it.

Who are Strafford County commissioners and how could HB 75 change that?

County commissioners are the Executive Branch of the county government, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the county, such as the nursing home and jail.

Democrats traditionally dominate Strafford County commissioner elections. Maglaras, who has served since 1983, is joined on the current commission by Democrats Robert Watson and Deanna Rollo. All were reelected in 2022, defeating Republican opponents. The last Republican commissioner was in office in 2011-12, according to county records.

HB 75 would create the following districts, likely making Republicans much more competitive:

District 1: Towns of Farmington, Middleton, Milton, New Durham, Rochester city wards 1, 5, and 6, and Somersworth, all city wards. (Most of this district traditionally leans toward Republicans, other than Somersworth.)

District 2: Dover city wards 1-4 and the towns of Durham, Lee, and Rollinsford. (This district is heavily Democrat-leaning.)

District 3: Barrington, Dover wards 5-6, Madbury, Rochester wards 2-4 and the town of Strafford. (This district appears to be a mix of Republican and Democrat-leaning areas.)

The legislation calls for the changes to go into effect in the 2024 election.

It it lawful to make changes outside the redistricting process?

Gray referred to state laws RSA 653, which shows Strafford County differs from all other New Hampshire counties by not having districts for its commissioner elections. He also referred to RSA 662, which includes a definition for electoral districts.

Maglaras said pointing to those laws does nothing to justify changing election districts in 2023. He said it is too late and would be unconstitutional.

"Every 10 years the state looks at redistricting," he said. "We did this last year and they decided to leave Strafford County alone. Now they are saying it is because they didn't have time to get it and that's bull. To do this they needed to tack HB 75 onto another bill, one dealing with city purchasing. It is a right-wing grab for power."

Maglaras said if the bill passes into law, is signed by the governor, he would challenge it with the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

"I believe the county commissioners should be elected at large in every (county), just as the governor is elected by the entire state," Maglaras added. "In order to divide Strafford County into three districts, you will need to divide cities, because to do this would be based on population."

State Sen. David Watters, D-Dover, said when the redistricting took place, no one came forward to say Strafford County needed to make a change. He said he respects Gray, who said he is responding to criticism he received from his constituents, even if he disagrees with the concept.

"Unfortunately, this now gives the appearance of political payback," Watters said. "There are frustrations among those who do not like the makeup of seats. While I respect our leadership, I see two things wrong here, first the politicization and second, the attempt to reopen a district outside of the 10-year window set by law for the state. It opens the door for the political party in power to go in and say how a district can be run."

Maglaras said if HB 75 became law, it would set precedent allowing Republicans and Democrats, whichever was currently in power, to continuously gerrymander districts in their favor.

"This could go back and forth," he said. "It would be a fiasco."

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Republicans push Strafford County NH election change. Dems push back.