NH AG accuses national Dems of voter suppression in primary decisions

New Hampshire Attorney General Accuses National Democrats of Voter Suppression

New Hampshire Attorney⁤ General John Formella is taking ​the battle between national and state Democrats ‌to a whole new level. He has accused them of voter‍ suppression ⁤and has even sent⁣ a cease-and-desist order.

“Falsely​ telling New Hampshire voters​ that ⁤a New Hampshire ‌election⁣ is ​‘meaningless’ violates New Hampshire ‍voter suppression laws,”​ Assistant Attorney‌ General Brendan O’Donnell wrote to Minyon Moore and James Roosevelt, ⁢Jr, co-chairs of the DNC Rules ‌and Bylaws ⁣Committee.

The dispute stems from the ‍decision made by‍ the⁣ DNC Rules‍ and Bylaws Committee last ​year to have South Carolina hold the party’s first-in-the-nation⁤ primary instead of New ⁤Hampshire. Since then, New Hampshire has⁤ been fighting ​to maintain its⁤ primary status.

According to the‍ rules set by the DNC, states⁣ that break the‌ primary calendar order can have their delegates ⁢cut by 50%, and candidates who campaign in those states will not receive any delegates. However, the New Hampshire attorney general’s office disagrees⁣ with ⁢the national party’s ‌assessment of the primary.

“Regardless⁢ of whether the DNC refuses to award delegates to the party’s national convention based on⁢ the results of the January 23, ‌2024, New ⁤Hampshire democratic Presidential Primary​ Election, that election is ​not ‘meaningless,’” O’Donnell wrote. “Your statements to the contrary ⁤are ⁣false, deceptive, and misleading.”

The attorney general’s office has ‌warned the DNC to stop‌ engaging in any conduct that would violate state law or face⁢ further enforcement action.

Despite President Joe Biden not appearing on the New​ Hampshire ​primary ballot, New Hampshire Democrats are still expecting a significant voter turnout.

“Well, ⁤it’s safe to say⁢ in New Hampshire, the DNC is ⁤less ⁢popular than the NY Yankees,” New ⁢Hampshire Democratic Party ⁣Chairman Raymond ‍Buckley said. “State law requires‍ the ⁢New ‍Hampshire Secretary of State to conduct the first-in-the-nation primary and he is going to follow the law — period. Nothing has changed, and we look forward to seeing a‍ great Democratic⁣ voter turnout on January 23rd.”

Democratic candidates Rep. Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson will be on the‍ primary ​ballot, and they have voiced their concerns‌ about voter suppression in the 2024 ⁣Democratic primary.

“The ⁣fact that​ the president is not here,‍ the fact that the Democratic Party is telling everybody this is meaningless, but yet they’re⁣ doing the write-in campaign and have a super PAC set up here, I think that ⁢is ​all ⁤you need to know,” said⁤ Rep. Dean⁢ Phillips.

‍ Why do Democrats in New Hampshire ‌believe that relocating the first-in-the-nation primary diminishes their state’s influence in⁤ the presidential nomination process?

Ire Democrats⁤ have been vocal about their disagreement with this decision, ​believing⁣ that it diminishes⁣ the influence of their state in the presidential nomination process. Attorney General Formella’s accusations of voter suppression come as part of ⁤this ongoing dispute.

The cease-and-desist order sent by Attorney General Formella asserts that the actions ⁤of national Democrats ⁣in ‍describing New Hampshire’s‍ elections as⁤ “meaningless” are in violation of the state’s voter suppression⁣ laws. ⁢The claim is based on the‌ belief that such‌ statements ‌may ⁤deter residents of New ‍Hampshire from participating in the electoral process, therefore suppressing their voice in ⁤choosing their​ preferred ⁢candidates for office.

This accusation highlights the deep division within the ‍Democratic Party, with state Democrats ‍in New⁣ Hampshire feeling their concerns and opinions have been dismissed‍ by the national⁢ body. The decision to relocate the first-in-the-nation primary to South Carolina has triggered a sense of frustration ​and disenfranchisement among‌ New Hampshire Democrats,​ leading to this​ heated exchange⁤ between Attorney General ⁢Formella and the national committee.

The ⁤dispute over the primary selection process underscores the power ⁢struggle ⁣within the ‌Democratic Party.​ While‍ the‍ national committee has the authority ⁤to determine the primary schedule, this‍ decision has been met with strong resistance from New Hampshire Democrats,⁣ who have ​long prided themselves ​on ​their⁢ role ⁤in the early stages of the presidential election.

Moreover, New Hampshire has a long-standing tradition of grassroots politics ⁣and direct voter engagement. The⁤ state’s smaller size ⁢allows for candidates to ⁣interact more closely ⁣with voters, giving them a unique opportunity to gauge⁢ the sentiments and concerns of the electorate. By moving the first-in-the-nation primary to South Carolina,​ many New⁤ Hampshire ‍Democrats​ feel that this crucial⁤ aspect of the democratic process is being undermined.

Attorney General Formella’s move⁤ to accuse the national⁣ Democrats of voter ⁤suppression is a ‌significant escalation of the dispute. It signals the determination​ of⁢ New Hampshire Democrats to fight for their rightful place in the nomination ⁤process, asserting‍ that ‌their state and its voters⁣ should not ​be sidelined by decisions made at‌ the national level.

The legal ramifications of this accusation remain to be seen. ‌However, the ​broader implications of this‌ conflict are likely ‍to reverberate throughout the Democratic⁣ Party, with the potential to impact the upcoming‌ presidential nomination process. The rift between state and national Democrats in New Hampshire highlights the challenges faced by a party seeking‍ unity and cohesive decision-making ahead of crucial​ elections.

As the dispute continues, it is clear that New Hampshire ⁤Democrats are resolute in⁢ their stance. Attorney General Formella’s ‌cease-and-desist ⁣order‍ demonstrates their determination ‍to protect the ⁤rights of voters in their state and to ensure that⁢ their voices are heard in the democratic process. Whether this accusation holds legal ground or not, it underscores the⁤ deep divisions​ within the Democratic Party and⁣ the ⁤ongoing struggle for control and influence in the nomination process.