Citizen Voices^®

Citizen Voices makes it possible for people to take part in how policies are made in New Hampshire in an easy and convenient way: online.

We post clear ‘yes or no’ questions about hot issues facing the Granite State, inviting citizens to share their opinions. We analyze the discussion, summarizing the results in an easy-to-read report which we then deliver to elected officials at key points in the policy-making process, often including in-person presentation at a public hearing or emailing the New Hampshire House or Senate ahead of votes on related bills. Click here to learn more about how it's done.

Join our live Citizen Voices discussions below, and sign up for our weekly Citizen Voices Updates emails to make sure you never miss a chance to weigh in.

Live discussions: make your voice heard

Should NH require the makers of digital devices to make the necessary tools, parts, and documentation for repairing those devices available to anyone, instead of just their official repair shops?
Feb 19, 2019 - New Hampshire is one of about two dozen states to consider a “right-to-repair” law. Whether it’s a dying battery or a more serious issue, users of modern electronics equipment usually have to... read more
GIVE US YOUR OPINION

Should NH prohibit businesses such as restaurants and cafes from giving customers disposable plastic straws, unless a customer specifically requests one?
Feb 15, 2019 - California recently became the first state to ban single-use plastic straws in many food service businesses, unless a customer specifically requests one. Rep. Judith Spang would like to see a similar policy put into place... read more
GIVE US YOUR OPINION

Should the state require health insurers to cover fertility treatment if it is medically necessary?
Feb 15, 2019 - Sen. Martha Hennessey is sponsoring a 2019 bill that would require health insurers to cover some fertility treatments and fertility preservation. The bill, SB 279, specifically requires coverage for: Diagnosis of... read more
GIVE US YOUR OPINION

Should primary day and Election Day be statewide holidays, with mandated time off?
Feb 12, 2019 - New Hampshire voters can have difficulty making it to the polls amid work and family obligations. Polling places tend to be heavily congested around lunchtime and 5 p.m. Rep. Ellen Read has proposed HB 506, a... read more
GIVE US YOUR OPINION

Should New Hampshire repeal the law allowing public elementary school teachers to recite the Lord’s Prayer with their students?
Feb 08, 2019 - A New Hampshire law from 1975 states that school districts may authorize the recitation of the traditional Lord’s Prayer in public elementary schools. The law makes clear that saying the prayer would be voluntary for students.... read more
GIVE US YOUR OPINION

Should New Hampshire require that middle and high schools offer feminine hygiene products in restrooms free of charge?
Feb 08, 2019 - After being approached by a high school student about an issue described as “period poverty,” state Sen. Martha Hennessey is sponsoring a 2019 bill that would require middle and high schools to offer feminine hygiene products in... read more
GIVE US YOUR OPINION

Browse the archive: see where citizens stand

Explore our archive of over 300 past Citizen Voices reports by choosing an issue category, or search for specific keywords (e.g. "guns", "animals") to find related reports.

Banning abortion after twenty weeks?
May 10, 2018 - Pro-life advocates believe that fetuses can feel pain at 20 weeks. The youngest reported baby to survive outside the womb was in gestation just under 22 weeks. Pro-choice advocates point to evidence that survival is almost impossible before 24 weeks... read more

Reinstate concealed carry permits?
May 03, 2018 - Former Sen. Molly Kelly, a Democratic candidate for governor, argues anyone carrying a concealed weapon in NH should need a permit to do so. In 2017, Gov. Sununu signed a repeal of such concealed carry licenses. Proponents say permits keep bad... read more

Ban smoking on Hampton Beach?
Apr 09, 2018 - Voters in Hampton at a town meeting earlier this month passed a petition to ban cigarette smoking on Hampton Beach. Petitioners say cigarette smoke infringes on beachgoers’ rights to breathe fresh air. Hampton selectmen say they won’t carry out... read more

Death penalty for some drug dealers?
Apr 02, 2018 - In March, President Trump spoke in Manchester about his plan to combat the opioid crisis. He laid out a three-prong strategy focused on raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, stemming the flow of illicit drugs, and expanding treatment... read more

'Red flag' gun law in NH?
Mar 27, 2018 - ‘Red flag’ laws, known variously as extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) or gun violence restraining orders, allow a court to issue an order to confiscate the weapons of someone deemed a threat to themselves or others. Connecticut, Washington,... read more