In New Hampshire, there are 400 state representatives who serve in the House of Representatives, which is one of two chambers of the Legislative Branch. State representatives draft, debate, and vote on legislation – around 1,000 bills a year. They are elected every two years, in even-numbered years; this fall, New Hampshire residents will have the next opportunity to vote for their state representatives.
With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and, in turn, the loss of the federal constitutional right to an abortion, the future of abortion access in New Hampshire depends upon the state legislature. Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund (“PPNHAF”) compiled seven key votes on reproductive rights bills, which either passed the full House or failed by a slim margin, so members of the public can better understand where their state representatives stand on reproductive rights and abortion access.
Scorecard
The full 2023-2024 House Scorecard can be viewed by last name, by county and district, or by percentage. Find your state representative(s) here.
Scorecard, alphabetized by last name
PP100 List (100%, no absences)
Scorecard Highlights
- 160 representatives made the PP100 list by voting in support of reproductive rights and health care seven out of seven opportunities. 3 representatives, who were elected in a special election, made the PP100 list, as they voted in support of reproductive rights and health care all three opportunities they had.
- 114 representatives scored 0%, voting against reproductive rights and health care every time they cast a vote.
- 25 representatives scored 100% but were absent for at least one vote.
- 16 representatives scored between 50% and 86%: 3 Democrats, 2 Independents, and 11 Republicans.
- HB 224, a bill to remove criminal penalties from health care providers, passed the House in a 205-178 vote. 15 Republicans joined 183 Democrats to pass the bill. 177 Republicans voted against the bill.
- 7 Republicans, 1 Independent, and 185 Democrats voted in support of CACR 23, which would protect the right to abortion up until 24 weeks in the NH Constitution. 183 Republicans and 1 Independent voted against protecting abortion rights in the NH Constitution.
- HB 271, a bill to repeal New Hampshire’s abortion ban, resulted in a tied vote; 13 representatives did not vote. 5 Republicans and 1 Independent joined 186 Democrats in voting to repeal the abortion ban. 1 representative cast an incorrect vote, which resulted in a tie.
- 110 representatives voted against stopping HB 591, a near-total (6-week) abortion ban. Only 1 vote was cast incorrectly.
Scoring Methodology
This year, PPNHAF calculates a representative’s score by dividing the number of pro-reproductive rights and health votes during the most recent biennium by the total number of votes taken, excusing all absences. A supportive vote on the scorecard is shown in pink with white font. Representatives who scored 100% voted with PPNHAF on every vote they participated in, and these scores are in pink.
Representatives who voted 7/7 are listed on the PP100 scorecard, as they were in attendance for all seven votes and voted in support of reproductive rights every time. Representatives who were elected in a special election, and voted in support of reproductive rights every time they had the opportunity, are also included on the PP100 scorecard.
Attendance in 2023-2024 remained crucial during every session day, with some votes passing or failing by the slimmest of margins. HB 1312, an anti-LGBTQ+ bill, for example, passed by one vote – meaning the NH House could have defeated it, if more representatives who support LGBTQ+ issues had been present to vote. On the scorecard, “Not Voting” absences are shaded in gray. The representative may have arrived late for the day, left early, or not been in their seat for a number of reasons.
A few representatives noted with the House Clerk that they voted incorrectly, which is marked in yellow on the scorecard with a link to the House Journal clarifying their intended vote. The score, however, reflects the vote they cast on the day, as the cast vote is used in the total. For example, in 2023, HB 271 ended in a tie, which means the motion to pass the bill failed. One state rep intended to vote differently, but the cast vote resulted in the bill not passing.
Representatives with two or fewer total votes do not have a percentage score (the column reads "too few votes" for these representatives); however, their individual votes are shown on the scorecard.
Any recorded roll call votes by the full House are eligible to be scored; for additional bills that PPNHAF was invested in but not scored, please see the Frequently Asked Questions section below.
This scorecard is for informational purposes only and therefore should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any candidate.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does the information on the scorecard about each bill mean?
- Here is a key to help explain the first vote on the scorecard:
- HB 224: Bill number. "HB" stands for "House Bill"
- Remove criminal penalties from doctors: Bill summary
- OTP: The motion representatives voted on, which is scored on this scorecard; "OTP" stands for "Ought to Pass"
- Vote: 205-178: Final vote on this motion: 205 voted in support of the OTP motion. 178 voted against. The text is in green because the motion passed
- 3/23/23: Date of the vote
- Yea=PP: Voting “Yea” on this motion is in support of reproductive rights and health care and PPNHAF’s position
- Here is a key to help explain the first vote on the scorecard:
- How do I find out who my state representative is?
- On the General Court website, use the dropdown menu to select your town. The page will update to show your state representative(s) and state senator. Most Granite Staters have more than one state representative.
- Where is the information on this scorecard from?
- All roll call votes can be found on the General Court’s website. You first search by year of the vote, then you can search by bill number, state representative’s name, or session date.
- How can I find out more about each of these bills?
- In the column header for each bill, we included a hyperlink for more information. To read the bill text itself, visit the General Court’s website and search by bill number. Additionally, you can visit PPNHAF’s 2024 Legislative Issues page.
- What does “OTP” mean?
- “OTP” stands for “Ought to Pass.” This is a motion made with the intent to pass the bill. Additionally, all amendments for a bill – whether passed or not – can be found on the bill’s docket on the General Court’s website.
- What does “ITL” mean?
- “ITL” stands for “Inexpedient to Legislate.” This is a motion made with the intent to defeat a bill.
- What are the numbers in green and red on the scorecard?
- The numbers show the total votes on the motion. The first number is the total votes in support of the motion; the second number is the total votes against the motion. For example, HB 224, a bill to remove the criminal penalties on health care providers, had a motion of "OTP" - to pass the bill. The final vote was 205 state representatives in support of passing the bill and 178 state representatives opposed to passing the bill. The total vote is in green because the motion passed.
- A red score shows that the motion did not pass. The CACRs listed, for example, are in red because there is a higher threshold (2/3 majority of elected representatives) needed to pass a CACR.
- I heard about other bills this session. Why aren’t they on here?
- While every bill in New Hampshire receives a vote, not every bill has a roll call vote in the legislature – some votes are by voice vote (the side that is the loudest wins!) or by division vote (individual representatives are anonymous, but there is a number attributed to Yea and Nay).
- All seven roll call votes scored were either "Ought to Pass" or "Inexpedient to Legislate." Legislators casting votes either support passing or stopping these bills based on these motions. PPNHAF excluded any "Indefinitely Postpone" and "Table" roll call votes, due to the lack of clarity in terms of the intent of the vote cast.
- While PPNHAF did not score lawmakers on their votes on the bills listed below, they may be useful to you in considering how your state representative(s) voted during the last biennium.
- HB 1664: would create a chilling effect on providers of gender affirming health care. Roll call for Indefinitely Postpone motion: 181-164.
- HB 396: anti-LGBTQ+ bill; allows businesses and schools to discriminate against transgender individuals in the bathroom they use. Passed the House: 192-184.
- HB 619: anti-LGBTQ+ bill; bans specific health care for transgender patients under 18 and also bans referrals for that health care - even with parental consent. Passed the House: 199-175.
- HB 1205: anti-LGBTQ+ bill; bans 5th-12th grade transgender girls from playing on girls' teams. Requires birth certificate for all girls to participate or "other evidence," which could include genital inspections. Passed the House: 189-182.
- HB 1312: anti-LGBTQ+ bill; requires teachers to give 2-weeks' notice on any course material related to gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Adds them to the "objectionable material" law. Passed the House: 186-185.
- HB 1660: anti-LGBTQ+ bill; bans Medicaid from covering specific health care for transgender patients under 18. Passed the House: 193-169.
- SB 272: anti-LGBTQ+ bill; so-called "parental bill of rights." Requires schools to forcibly out LGBTQ+ students to their parents before they are ready. Roll call for Indefinitely Postpone motion: 195-190.
- Why are some votes listed as “excused” or “not voting”?
- An “excused” absence is granted by the Speaker in advance of session. “Not voting” can have a variety of meanings, but simply means the legislator was not in their seat during the vote.
- Why did my state representative vote a certain way?
- The only way to know why a state representative voted a certain way is to ask that person – and because there are 400 state representatives in New Hampshire, they are incredibly accessible! You can find their contact information on the General Court’s website.
- How do I find out if my state representative is running for re-election in November 2024?
- You can check the Secretary of State’s 2024 Election page to see who has filed to run. Make sure to note what the district(s) of your current representative(s), as it is easier to search.
- I see my state representative was supportive but isn’t running for re-election. How do I learn more about who is running in my district?
- First, thank your representative for their commitment to public service and to reproductive health and rights! Being a New Hampshire state representative is a lot of work for almost no money ($100 per year). Find their contact information and say thanks!
- To learn more about who IS running in your district, check out the NH Secretary of State’s website and try finding them on social media to learn more about their campaign!
- I see my state representative wasn’t supportive and is running for re-election. How do I learn more about who is running against them in my district?
- First, reach out to them and let them know you are disappointed in their votes. They need to hear from their constituents.
- To learn more about who IS running in your district, check out the NH Secretary of State’s website and try finding them on social media to learn more about their campaign!
- Why aren’t state senators listed on this scorecard?
- This scorecard focuses exclusively on the House; Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund PAC* does not endorse candidates in the House. To view the NH Senate scorecard, click here.
- Who should I contact if I have additional questions?
- Email any additional questions to [email protected] with the subject “2024 House Scorecard.”
* Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund (PPNHAF) is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England in New Hampshire. The Action Fund engages in educational and electoral activity, including voter education, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy. The Action Fund makes independent expenditures on behalf of or in opposition to targeted candidates for public office. PPNHAF maintains a separate, segregated political committee and fund to make direct campaign contributions to endorsed candidates (the PAC). The Planned Parenthood NH Action Fund PAC is nonpartisan and makes endorsements and direct campaign contributions to candidates running for elected office in New Hampshire.