Ellin M. Leonard

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?

"I support ensuring that education funding is directed to the families who need it most. As currently designed, the Freedom Account program lacks meaningful guardrails. I believe it should have a firm cap and significantly revised eligibility criteria. Public dollars should strengthen our public schools, not be diverted from them to subsidize tuition for families whose children already attend private or religious schools. Responsible reform would keep this program focused on its intended purpose while protecting the classrooms that serve the vast majority of our students."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire’s anti-discrimination law allow segregation based on biological sex in some settings, such as bathrooms and locker rooms?

"I believe there's a practical solution that respects everyone's dignity and privacy. By ensuring our schools and public facilities have fully private, secure restroom and locker room options, we can make sure every person feels safe and comfortable. This approach focuses on common-sense facility design and puts the well-being of all individuals first."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"Decisions about a woman's pregnancy are deeply personal and should be made by her, in consultation with her doctor. There are circumstances in which a mother's health is at risk or a pregnancy is not viable, and these are deeply serious. Government should not be inserting itself into these private medical decisions."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"Decisions about a woman's pregnancy are deeply personal and should be made by her, in consultation with her doctor. There are circumstances in which a mother's health is at risk or a pregnancy is not viable, and these are deeply serious. Government should not be inserting itself into these private medical decisions."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should NH add an income tax on earned income?

"I do not support a broad-based income tax. Despite claims to the contrary, the majority of New Hampshire Democrats share that position, and I am committed to finding responsible ways to fund our priorities without imposing one on Granite State families."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?

"No"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?

"I oppose the continued reduction of business taxes on large corporations, particularly out-of-state companies, while supporting appropriate relief for our small businesses. Business taxes are a vital source of revenue for state government, and when it erodes, the burden shifts to local communities. For roughly fifteen years, the state has been downshifting costs onto our towns and property taxpayers, and we need a more sustainable and balanced approach."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire increase the tax on cigarettes?

"Yes, I support increasing New Hampshire’s cigarette tax because making cigarettes more expensive can encourage people to smoke less and make healthier choices. We should take a thoughtful, responsible approach that prioritizes the health and well-being of our communities. I also believe cigarette tax increases should continue to be tied to the retail price index to keep pace with inflation and maintain their effectiveness over time. By taking these steps, we can support a healthier New Hampshire and help reduce the harmful effects of tobacco use."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire add restrictions to the governor's powers during a state of emergency?

"Yes, I believe New Hampshire should further safeguard the legislature’s role during a state of emergency. A crisis is precisely when the public benefits most from open deliberation and shared accountability, and the Granite State’s long tradition of citizen government is well suited to that task. Emergencies do call for swift action, and no one disputes that a governor needs room to respond in the first days of a disaster. But when a single executive’s orders stretch on for months and reach into daily life, business operations, and civil liberties without a check from the people’s representatives, the balance our constitution intends is strained."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"I'm open to considering this, but I'd want to see the full picture before taking a position. We need clear information on infrastructure needs and costs, and a credible plan for how it would be funded. New Hampshire does need additional housing, and I believe our towns should have the flexibility to decide what works best for their communities."

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?

"No, I absolutely do not support this. I believe New Hampshire's energy future lies in renewables, and we should be actively encouraging offshore wind and expanding solar power in a big way. I have serious concerns about nuclear power, including the unresolved question of where the waste would be stored."

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?

"Yes, I support expanding the net metering capacity caps. New Hampshire already has some of the highest electric rates in the country, and net metering helps ease that burden by encouraging households and businesses to adopt solar energy. It's a practical step that benefits ordinary people, supports local businesses, and moves us toward a cleaner, more affordable energy future."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire extend the renewable portfolio standard past 2025, requiring public utilities to obtain more than 25% of electricity from renewable energy sources?

"Yes, New Hampshire should extend its renewable portfolio standard beyond 2025 and seriously consider raising it. The state’s 25% target was set at a modest level, and its own neighbors have since moved well past it; a stronger, longer-term standard would give clean air, healthier forests and waterways, and the state’s natural heritage the lasting protection they deserve, while sending a steady signal to the businesses and installers who want to build here. Renewables can also be cost-competitive with gas, oil, and coal, and the more we diversify our supply, the less exposed Granite State families are to volatile fossil fuel prices."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"Yes. Protecting the well-being of New Hampshire's children is one of government's most fundamental responsibilities. I support fully funding the agency that safeguards our children and provides oversight of the facilities that serve our children and teens."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"I support protecting access to abortion before 24 weeks and oppose earlier abortion bans. Decisions about a woman's pregnancy are deeply personal and should be made by her, in consultation with her doctor. There are circumstances in which a mother's health is at risk or a pregnancy is not viable, and these are deeply serious. Government should not be inserting itself into these private medical decisions."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire increase public access to reports of police misconduct?

"Yes, I believe New Hampshire should expand public access to records of police misconduct. The people of a community entrust their officers with extraordinary authority, and with that trust comes a reasonable expectation that residents can learn when it has been breached, so that chiefs, selectboards, and voters can respond at the local level. he aim, as I see it, is a transparent system that is also fair to the officers who serve with integrity."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire reinstate the interest and dividends tax?

"Yes, I support this, but only with important protections for lower-income residents. Any such tax should be structured so that it applies only to high-income earners, ensuring that working families and those with modest means are not burdened."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?

"Yes, I support giving every New Hampshire voter the option to cast a ballot by mail. Many states have run this way for years: Oregon has voted by mail since the late 1990s, and Washington, Colorado, and others use it as their primary method, with voters there reporting that they value the convenience and the time to review their ballot at home. Offering the choice would make participation easier for the nurse working a double shift, the parent juggling childcare, the retiree with limited mobility, and anyone for whom a single Election Day trip is a hardship, while still leaving the cherished tradition of in-person voting and town meeting fully intact for those who prefer it. Of course, only valid, registered voters should be allowed to cast a ballot whether by mail or in person."

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?

"Right now, New Hampshire's reliance on local property taxes means school funding is driven largely by property wealth, not by student need or a community's ability to pay. As a result, children in our wealthiest towns often have access to better educational resources than children elsewhere. Every student in our state deserves a strong education regardless of their zip code, and I support a more equitable approach to how we fund our schools."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should NH legalize the recreational use of marijuana?

"Yes, Granite Staters are already purchasing cannabis in neighboring states, which means New Hampshire is losing out on revenue that could be used here at home. By allowing licensed growers and regulated retail locations, we can ensure safer, tested products for consumers while generating much-needed revenue for our state."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"Granite Staters are already purchasing cannabis in neighboring states, which means New Hampshire is losing out on revenue that could be used here at home. By allowing licensed growers and regulated retail locations, we can ensure safer, tested products for consumers while generating much-needed revenue for our state."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"Granite Staters are already purchasing cannabis in neighboring states, which means New Hampshire is losing out on revenue that could be used here at home. By allowing licensed growers and regulated retail locations, we can ensure safer, tested products for consumers while generating much-needed revenue for our state."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"Granite Staters are already purchasing cannabis in neighboring states, which means New Hampshire is losing out on revenue that could be used here at home. By allowing licensed growers and regulated retail locations, we can ensure safer, tested products for consumers while generating much-needed revenue for our state."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire increase subsidies and tax credits for business investment?

"I believe the honest answer is that it depends on the business, and I would want to weigh each proposal on its merits rather than offer a blanket yes or no. New businesses that create good-paying jobs strengthen our communities and our economy as a whole, can be worth the investment. But I would want hard answers to a few questions before putting more public dollars behind any one company: what is the environmental impact of this particular industry, how many lasting, well-paid jobs will actually be created for our residents, and who stands to profit most from the arrangement? Taxpayers deserve a real return, with clear accountability if a company falls short of its promises. There are many reasons to move carefully, then favor targeted and performance-based incentives over broad ones."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire increase the base amount of per-pupil funding it provides to local school districts?

"Yes, I believe New Hampshire should increase its base per-pupil funding, because our constitution makes public education a shared obligation of the state, and the courts have said so for decades. In the Claremont rulings the New Hampshire Supreme Court said that the state must ensure an adequate education for every child, and in 2025 it ruled that the state’s base adequacy amount was unconstitutionally low, pointing to a minimum of roughly $7,356 per pupil, well above the current base grant of about $4,266. That gap is why so much of the burden still lands on local property taxpayers, who pay the large majority of what we spend on our schools. At the same time, I agree that more money alone is not the whole answer, and that we should avoid simply shifting costs onto property owners. The task before us is to honor that commitment fairly and responsibly, with a formula that is predictable, targeted, and respectful of taxpayers."

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 U.S. citizens should vote in our elections, and I am committed to protecting the integrity of our elections. But eligible citizens should not lose their right to vote simply because they don't have a passport or birth certificate readily available. We can safeguard our elections without creating unnecessary barriers for lawful voters."

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?

"I do not believe that a student's ability to enroll in a different public school should be determined by a percentage-based cap. Transfers should be reserved for students with a compelling, well-documented reason, such as bullying or safety concerns at their current school. I am also concerned that an open-transfer policy could undermine schools in less affluent communities by drawing away students and the resources that follow them."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire continue to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which requires utilities to purchase allowances for every ton of carbon they emit?

"Yes, I believe New Hampshire should stay in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, because the principle behind it is a fair and familiar one: those who put carbon into our shared air should bear a share of the cost. Putting a price on emissions rewards the companies that make sound, forward-looking business decisions and nudges the power sector toward cleaner generation, and it does so with market tools rather than mandates. Here in New Hampshire, the program also puts money back in people’s pockets, since nearly all of the auction proceeds are returned to residents as credits on their utility bills, amounting to about $61 million in 2024. State analyses have also found that leaving would not erase the cost of allowances, because our electricity is bought on a regional grid, and that the rebates lost would likely outweigh any savings in rates. The best course, in my view, is to stay in, keep returning the proceeds to ratepayers, and keep a close eye on costs so that the program continues to deliver for families, businesses, and the environment alike."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"Decisions about a woman's pregnancy are deeply personal and should be made by her, in consultation with her doctor. There are circumstances in which a mother's health is at risk or a pregnancy is not viable, and these are deeply serious. Government should not be inserting itself into these private medical decisions."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"No. Decisions about school budgets are best made locally, by the communities that fund and depend on their schools. The state should not be mandating how a town sets its budget, and I oppose this as a further encroachment on local control."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?

"Yes. I grew up in a home with firearms, and hunting was part of the culture where I lived. I have no issue with hunting or with responsible gun ownership. But the world has changed significantly, and so have the weapons available today, many of which are military-grade. We require a test to drive a car, and it is reasonable to expect sensible safety measures for firearms as well. I support common-sense controls."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire provide student loan debt repayment programs for workers in industries with labor shortages?

"Yes, I believe New Hampshire should offer student loan repayment help to workers in fields facing real shortages, and I would start with health care, where the need is plain to see. Our state is among the oldest in the nation, and employers in rural and underserved communities report that they struggle to fill open positions, in part because neighboring states offer clinicians incentives that we have funded only modestly. New Hampshire’s State Loan Repayment Program is a proven starting point. Many of these professionals carry significant debt while facing some of the highest housing costs in New England, targeted repayment can make the difference between building a life in the Granite State and taking a job across the border. I would favor making any expansion smart and accountable: tied to multi-year service commitments, directed to the areas of greatest need, and generous enough to matter."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire add tax incentives for affordable housing development?

"Yes, I believe New Hampshire should add well-targeted incentives for affordable housing, because the market on its own tends to reward larger, higher-priced homes, and the workers our employers need are often priced out of the very communities they serve. A thoughtful 'sweetening of the pot,' whether through investment tax credits, property tax relief for qualifying projects, or support for infrastructure like water and sewer, can tip the math so builders take on the starter homes, duplexes, and workforce apartments that families can actually afford. The state’s Housing Champions program is an example of this approach, and it has been credited with helping to boost building permits, even as lawmakers have wrestled over whether to fund it. I would want these incentives tied to real affordability requirements and measured results so taxpayers know they are getting homes, not just tax breaks."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire allocate tax revenues for private and home schooling costs?

"No, I do not believe New Hampshire should use general tax revenue to underwrite private school and homeschooling costs as a matter of course, because public dollars do the most good when they serve the greatest number of children, and our public schools, where the large majority of Granite State students are enrolled, still have real unmet needs. Since the Education Freedom Account program became open to every family regardless of income in 2025, enrollment has grown quickly, and state data has shown that a majority of participants were not previously in public school, which means much of the spending adds to costs rather than replacing them. I would keep the focus on strengthening public education and make exceptions for compelling circumstances, such as a student who is being bullied or whose needs a district cannot meet, so that help reaches the families who need it most. We need to spend the state’s limited dollars doing the most good for the most children."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020

Should New Hampshire ban abortion after 24 weeks gestation, with exceptions for cases of rape/incest and health complications?

"Against

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020

Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?

"Undecided"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020

Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?

"For"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020

Should New Hampshire increase the size of solar panel installations that may participate in net energy metering?

"For"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020

Do you support Gov. Sununu's proposal to allow employers and employees to opt-in to a private, paid family and medical leave insurance plan, based on a pool of state employees, excluding coverage for personal illness?

"Against

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020

Should New Hampshire create a road usage fee?

"Undecided"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020

Should New Hampshire create a statewide family and medical leave program, paid for with a percentage of employee wages, with no opt-out?

"For"