Donald McFarlane

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Do you support the “Education Freedom Account” program, which gives students access to the per-pupil share of state school funding to spend on private school or home school expenses?

"Parents, not government, should have the primary say in choosing the education that best fits their child. Education Freedom Accounts let families use the state-funded portion of education dollars for approved expenses such as private school tuition, tutoring, curriculum, and home-school programs. They expand opportunity for families who might otherwise have no practical alternative to their assigned school. The program should remain transparent, accountable, and focused on legitimate educational expenses. But public education funding should support the student, not preserve a monopoly for one delivery system."

Voting Record, 2026

"We should not pretend that biological sex is irrelevant in every setting. Privacy, safety, and fairness may demand sex-based distinctions in certain places such as bathrooms, locker rooms, prisons, shelters, and athletic competition. Allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports is plainly unfair to female athletes and undermines the purpose of having women’s competition in the first place. New Hampshire should protect women’s sports and allow appropriate single-sex spaces. Every person should be treated with dignity, but dignity does not require denying biological reality."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?

"Abortion is legal in New Hampshire throughout the pregnancy. It is legal through the first two trimesters for any reason, and legal in certain circumstances in the third trimester such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to the mother's health. New Hampshire's abortion laws are some of the most lenient in the country, and are more lenient than many European countries. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks.  
I believe life begins at conception and should be protected. However, as a lifelong advocate for personal liberty, I also recognize that a decision to terminate a pregnancy is profoundly personal and may involve difficult medical circumstances, religious beliefs, and questions of conscience. The state cannot sensibly legislate every circumstance a woman, her family, and her physician may confront.  I support retaining New Hampshire’s existing 24-week framework, which does not infringe on women's reproductive choice. I would oppose both repealing the protection after 24 weeks and imposing new six- or fifteen-week prohibitions.  Supporting legal access does not require compelling taxpayers to fund elective abortions. That said, I oppose using public money for elective abortion services: I do not believe tax dollars should be allocated to fund a choice that goes against the moral fiber of so many Americans."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?

"Abortion is legal in New Hampshire throughout the pregnancy. It is legal through the first two trimesters for any reason, and legal in certain circumstances in the third trimester such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to the mother's health. New Hampshire's abortion laws are some of the most lenient in the country, and are more lenient than many European countries. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks.  
I believe life begins at conception and should be protected. However, as a lifelong advocate for personal liberty, I also recognize that a decision to terminate a pregnancy is profoundly personal and may involve difficult medical circumstances, religious beliefs, and questions of conscience. The state cannot sensibly legislate every circumstance a woman, her family, and her physician may confront.  I support retaining New Hampshire’s existing 24-week framework, which does not infringe on women's reproductive choice. I would oppose both repealing the protection after 24 weeks and imposing new six- or fifteen-week prohibitions.  Supporting legal access does not require compelling taxpayers to fund elective abortions. That said, I oppose using public money for elective abortion services: I do not believe tax dollars should be allocated to fund a choice that goes against the moral fiber of so many Americans."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should NH add an income tax on earned income?

"New Hampshire should never tax earned income. I have signed the Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers’ anti-broad-based tax pledge. More importantly, I prime-sponsored CACR 10 to place strong constitutional limits on the creation or increase of state taxes. I then supported the amended proposal that would have constitutionally prohibited new taxes on personal income. It received 194 votes, but 158 House Democrats voted against it, denying New Hampshire voters the opportunity to decide the question for themselves. I will continue to oppose income and sales taxes and defend the New Hampshire Advantage."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?

"Yes. Business taxes ultimately appear in higher prices, lower wages, reduced investment, and fewer opportunities for workers. New Hampshire should continue reducing and simplifying business taxes as revenues permit, while controlling state spending and protecting a balanced budget. Our goal should be a competitive economy in which businesses can start, grow, hire, and remain in New Hampshire."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?

"It should not take two or three years to navigate a large town's approval process for a single development, and there are examples of this happening across the state. It is reasonable for landowners to expect that their zoning and planning submissions will be heard and acted upon timely."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire do more to encourage the development of nuclear power, including small modular reactors (SMR), in the state?

"New Hampshire needs more reliable, affordable, and abundant electricity. Nuclear power provides dependable, around-the-clock energy without the emissions produced by fossil-fuel generation. The state should remove unnecessary regulatory barriers, support safe development of advanced nuclear technologies such as small modular reactors, and ensure that projects can be reviewed through a clear and predictable permitting process. Government should not pick winners or place unreasonable risks on taxpayers. But New Hampshire should welcome private investment in safe nuclear power and position itself to benefit from the next generation of energy technology."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Do you support legislation to expand the net energy metering system capacity cap from 1 MW to 5 MW for all residential and commercial customers in New Hampshire?

"From a resilience standpoint, I am in favor of distributed energy generation including at the residential level. Nevertheless, New Hampshire's current net metering system is structured so as to create perverse incentives which serve to negatively impact our most reliable energy producers and increase our rates. New Hampshire already has some of the most expensive electricity in the nation, and I reject this action which would further increase energy costs and negatively impact already-stressed local households."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire restore funding for the Office of the Child Advocate?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?

"Abortion is legal in New Hampshire throughout the pregnancy. It is legal through the first two trimesters for any reason, and legal in certain circumstances in the third trimester such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to the mother's health. New Hampshire's abortion laws are some of the most lenient in the country, and are more lenient than many European countries. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks.  
I believe life begins at conception and should be protected. However, as a lifelong advocate for personal liberty, I also recognize that a decision to terminate a pregnancy is profoundly personal and may involve difficult medical circumstances, religious beliefs, and questions of conscience. The state cannot sensibly legislate every circumstance a woman, her family, and her physician may confront.  I support retaining New Hampshire’s existing 24-week framework, which does not infringe on women's reproductive choice. I would oppose both repealing the protection after 24 weeks and imposing new six- or fifteen-week prohibitions.  Supporting legal access does not require compelling taxpayers to fund elective abortions. That said, I oppose using public money for elective abortion services: I do not believe tax dollars should be allocated to fund a choice that goes against the moral fiber of so many Americans."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire reinstate the interest and dividends tax?

"No. New Hampshire finally repealed this tax, effective January 1, 2025. Reinstating it would punish saving, retirement planning, investment, and personal responsibility. It would also reopen the door to taxing personal income. The repeal should remain permanent."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Do you support New Hampshire’s current system of public school funding, with about two-thirds of total funding coming from local property taxes?

"I support local control of education, but I do not support endlessly rising property-tax bills. The state must meet its constitutional responsibilities while respecting the authority of parents and voters. We should relieve pressure on property taxpayers by controlling spending growth, reducing state mandates, directing state education aid responsibly, and requiring clear public approval for extraordinary increases. We should not replace property taxes with a statewide income or sales tax."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?

"Adults should not face criminal penalties for the private, responsible use of marijuana. New Hampshire should permit limited home cultivation and establish a carefully regulated private market rather than leave cannabis sales to the illegal market. Any legalization law should include strict age limits, product testing and labeling, restrictions on advertising to children, and reasonable local control over retail locations."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?

"Adults should not face criminal penalties for the private, responsible use of marijuana. New Hampshire should permit limited home cultivation and establish a carefully regulated private market rather than leave cannabis sales to the illegal market. Any legalization law should include strict age limits, product testing and labeling, restrictions on advertising to children, and reasonable local control over retail locations."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire require new voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, when registering to vote?

"Only United States citizens may vote in our elections, and new voter registrations should be supported by reasonable proof of citizenship. This is a basic election safeguard, not an unreasonable barrier. The state should accept a practical range of documents, provide a clear verification process, and help eligible citizens obtain necessary records without charge. No qualified citizen should be denied the vote merely because a document is difficult to obtain, but citizenship should be verified rather than simply assumed. Secure elections and accessible elections are not competing goals. New Hampshire should provide both."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire allow at least 10% of students in each school district to enroll in a different public school, regardless of where they live?

"Parents should have a meaningful say in where their children attend school. A child’s ZIP code should not trap that child in a school that is not the right fit. Open enrollment gives families more options, creates healthy competition, and encourages public schools to improve. Choice should not be limited to families who can afford private tuition or move to another town. The policy should include reasonable limits for school capacity, transportation, special-education services, and costs to local taxpayers."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?

"Abortion is legal in New Hampshire throughout the pregnancy. It is legal through the first two trimesters for any reason, and legal in certain circumstances in the third trimester such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to the mother's health. New Hampshire's abortion laws are some of the most lenient in the country, and are more lenient than many European countries. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks.  
I believe life begins at conception and should be protected. However, as a lifelong advocate for personal liberty, I also recognize that a decision to terminate a pregnancy is profoundly personal and may involve difficult medical circumstances, religious beliefs, and questions of conscience. The state cannot sensibly legislate every circumstance a woman, her family, and her physician may confront.  I support retaining New Hampshire’s existing 24-week framework, which does not infringe on women's reproductive choice. I would oppose both repealing the protection after 24 weeks and imposing new six- or fifteen-week prohibitions.  Supporting legal access does not require compelling taxpayers to fund elective abortions. That said, I oppose using public money for elective abortion services: I do not believe tax dollars should be allocated to fund a choice that goes against the moral fiber of so many Americans."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should state law cap how much local school districts can increase their budget each year?

"Yes, provided local voters retain the authority to approve an increase above the cap. Annual school-budget growth should generally be limited to inflation and changes in enrollment, with a voter override provision for emergencies, major capital needs, or other clearly justified circumstances. This approach protects taxpayers from unchecked spending growth while preserving local control."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?

"New Hampshire should not punish law-abiding citizens for the crimes of violent offenders. Our state has strong traditions of responsible gun ownership and constitutional carry, while remaining one of the safest states in the nation. I oppose new restrictions on lawful possession, purchase, or carry. We should instead enforce laws against violent criminals, improve access to mental-health care, and protect due process. The right to keep and bear arms is a constitutional right, not a privilege granted by government."