New Hampshire Electioneering Law (RSA 659:44-a) prohibits public employees from using government property to engage in voters or votes. The only thing more difficult than getting public employees, typically teacher’s union members, from doing it is convincing the AG office to prosecute. Miracles, however (it seems), can happen. After losing a School Board race by four votes, Fran Wendleboe obtained evidence of electioneering and requested an investigation and ruling by the office of the Attorney General.
You can read the details here, but the gist is this. Newfound School District employee Erin Edwards got caught electioneering.
We’ve reported on numerous cases of potential electioneering and some very clear and obvious incidents but rarely has the Secretary of State or the Attorney General’s Office much cared. The Teacher’s Union in Nashua openly thwarts the law, which the AG then dismisses, so an actual admission that it occurs is a miracle. The NH AG’s office found someone guilty.
A violation of 659:44-a is a misdemeanor offense, so there is little disincentive. It is generally agreed that this, like many New Hampshire laws, recognizes behavior as criminal but lacks teeth. Meddlers, especially public union employees, live without fear of consequences, even after they get tagged. Erin Edwards broke the law and has been ordered to cease and desist. That’s it. Stop doing that, or you’ll be in real trouble next time: an actual charge (on your permanent school record!) and the possibility of a fine.
I have it on reasonably good authority that some legislators want to give this statute more teeth, but the Democrats will oppose it with every fiber of their anti-election integrity. For now, we must console ourselves with the notion that someone was found guilty. Baby steps.
Disclosure: I serve with Fran Wendleboe on the Board of the 603 Alliance
