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Bill proposing 15% voting threshold for SB2 warrant articles draws municipal opposition
Summary
Representative Ross Berry’s HB 14-18 would require at least 15% of registered voters to vote yes (and form a majority) for certain warrant articles in SB2 towns; the New Hampshire Municipal Association opposed the measure at public hearing, warning of arbitrary thresholds and unintended consequences.
Representative Ross Berry introduced House Bill 14-18 to require that warrant articles proposing new or expanded spending in SB2 towns (and SB2 school districts) receive affirmative votes from at least 15% of registered voters and a majority of those votes in order to pass.
Berry said the proposal targets low-turnout elections where a small minority can approve spending that affects a wide majority of residents. Using a simplified example, he said the measure is intended to prevent “two people” in small turnouts from imposing tax increases on the rest of a town and described a ‘‘foursquare’’ test in the bill that would require a numerical floor for approval.
The New Hampshire Municipal Association’s representative (Bridal Deshais) testified in opposition, arguing the bill’s language would require 15% of registered voters to cast ballots on any warrant article and warned of several unintended consequences: petition warrant articles (often late on the ballot) could routinely fail because fewer people vote on lower-ballot items; a stay-home strategy could be used to block articles; and a uniform state threshold could diverge from practices used for state primaries. The municipal witness noted similar bills were considered in 2024 and that municipal officials see 15% as arbitrary.
Committee members pressed the sponsor and the municipal witness for turnout data and for the implications for default budgets, term extensions and traditional town meetings. Berry said the bill applies only to SB2 towns and school districts (not traditional town meetings or cities) and acknowledged questions remain on term extensions and facility capacity for traditional meetings.
The public hearing closed after oral testimony; online input was recorded (3 in support, 73 opposed in one count). Committee members requested further analysis and data on turnout patterns and potential administration issues before legislative action.
What happens next: Committee staff will collect turnout data requested by members and the sponsor signaled willingness to work on technical fixes. The transcript shows the committee closed the public hearing and will consider next steps in executive session and in its reports.
