Statement on birthday of Susan B. Anthony

Here in Newmarket,

we use two ballots in our municipal elections — one for School Board, and one for Town Council. Over a century ago, women were only permitted to vote in School Board elections, so the ballots needed to be separated.

While activists like Susan B. Anthony have since secured women the right to vote, Newmarket has never merged the ballots. In this and so many other ways, New Hampshire is stuck in the past.

For example, we still pay our state lawmakers only $100/year. This is by design, as it excludes the large majority of the population from serving in elected office.

I’m championing a modernization for our state, and this includes offering a stipend or pay for our state lawmakers. We need representation from all walks of life, from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

204 years ago today, Susan B. Anthony was born. In her honor, I say we continue her fight to build a democracy that serves everyone. Democracy is a system that should always be seeking greater participation.

— Jon