Representative Maggie Hassan, a Democrat, has been representing the state of New Hampshire for a total of two terms. She served as the governor of New Hampshire for the years 2013 to 2017. As we get closer to the first-in-the-nation primary that will take place in New Hampshire on Tuesday, the democratic system in the United States is facing graver dangers than it has ever been before in my whole life. As a result of the possibility that Donald Trump will be reelected, the people of the United States will have the chance to cast their votes in 2024 about the future of our nation’s electoral system and fundamental ideals.
Granite State residents will vote for Joe Biden for president on Tuesday, regardless of whether or not there is a move to postpone the primary votes. This is because we have a strong confidence in citizen-led democracy and also because we are determined to protect the future of our country.
For this year’s New Hampshire primary, President Biden will not be on the ballot since he and the Democratic National Committee had a dispute that resulted in the decision to reschedule the race. The group voted to deny South Carolina any delegates after concluding that the state should host the first primary. Granite Staters have established a write-in campaign, demonstrating their continued engagement in the political process.
When it first began, the New Hampshire presidential primary was a vital cog in the wheel of democracy that helped choose better candidates for president. As part of our state’s “all-hands-on-deck” spirit, we have town meetings, elect a citizen legislature of 424 to represent 1.4 million people, and volunteer our time to help our towns.
A state that places a premium on public participation, New Hampshire was one of the first to use the modern primary election system. All qualified voters should have a say in choosing party delegates, not just a select few, and Granite Staters were among the first to advocate for this principle. We assisted in removing party leaders’ control of nomination contests and held the first countrywide primary in 1920, whereby voters chose party delegates.
By 1952, voters could choose their preferred presidential candidate from a list.
Historically, the New Hampshire primary has been a boon to American democracy. Social media, algorithms, and even certain politicians have contributed to the present polarized political atmosphere, making it harder for voters to separate reality from fiction. To help bridge this divide, candidates need to meet with voters in person, in real-time.
Our state’s limited size allows candidates more room to maneuver, in contrast to larger places where election outcomes are determined by extravagant rallying and massive ad buys, with little opportunity for politicians to engage with citizens. Meeting voters in person during our primary election is a fantastic chance for candidates vying for public office.
No candidate needs more than a day or two to visit every municipality in our state, from the largest cities (where problems like homelessness are prevalent) to the smallest (where problems like unreliable internet make life difficult for families and companies).
Political candidates vying for our primary should be prepared to win over voters gradually, engaging in conversations with individuals of all backgrounds, ages, and political ideologies (particularly in a state where independents constitute the majority of voters). New Hampshire’s governance requires an exceptionally high level of public engagement, however, the Granite Staters are not easily swayed by glossy ads or large entourages. Despite this, they often have direct access to political leaders.
The less well-known and financially-supported candidates in New Hampshire need to run first if they want a shot at competing with their more well-known and financially-supported rivals. Along with that, New Hampshire wasn’t the only early state. Among our youth, there is a striking racial and geographical diversity among the first primary states.
Since New Hampshire campaigns solely on door-to-door canvassing, voters there aren’t afraid to ask politicians direct questions. Granite Staters are masters at holding politicians to account, as seen last month when asked about the issue of slavery and its role in sparking the American Civil War, Nikki Haley flatly refused to accept the reality. After making her first reply, she reconsidered and said, “Of course, the Civil War was about slavery.” Our primary is great at producing qualified candidates in part because of questions like these, which probe right to the heart of a candidate’s character.
Political polarization has never been higher, making it all the more crucial to have a primary that encourages genuine conversations between candidates and voters. This kind of election showcases the best of democracy by giving people the opportunity to hold their representatives accountable. It illustrates that we are not alone in our aims and challenges and that our differences do not separate us. Our democracy has been fortified and our first-in-the-nation primary has become an indispensable instrument thanks to New Hampshire’s commitment to citizen empowerment and its habit of calling prospective leaders “citizens in chief.”
The Granite Staters are devoted to democracy, which is why we will maintain our primary and launch a write-in campaign to support President Biden.
Everyone can see the dangers of a Trump reelection. When campaigning in Claremont in November, Trump drew parallels to Nazi dictators by using the neologism “vermin” and continuing to imply that the 2020 election was stolen.
On the other hand, President Biden believes in protecting our democracy and working for the people of the United States, regardless of their party membership. Despite widespread doubts about the feasibility of bipartisanship, President Biden has shown that our democracy is capable of completing important tasks, such as lowering costs, investing in American manufacturing, and repairing our infrastructure.
Given that the Democratic National Committee foolishly decided to miss New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary, someone needs to inform Granite Staters to either remain at home or cast their ballots against Joe Biden. We decide to abandon the project. I do not doubt that many Democrats and independents in New Hampshire will join me in supporting Joe Biden on Tuesday, given the critical nature of this election for our country. Serving our country has always been our priority, and we have never sat on our hands.