This op-ed, penned by former congressmen Dick Swett and Charles Bass, was originally published in the Union Leader.
Today, it seems Republicans and Democrats can find almost anything and everything to disagree and fight over. And we should know, because in 1994 we ran against each other in what was known as a bruising race for Congress here in New Hampshire. While we still may disagree with each other, with the other party, or even with our own party at times, we respect each other and have come together to affirm and enshrine faith in how New Hampshire conducts our elections.
This is why we are so proud to be the Republican and Democratic co-chairs of the Democracy Defense Project, where we educate the public about the electoral process, refute conspiracy theories and irresponsible statements about our elections, and push back on any federal overreach or interference in New Hampshire elections.
Our elections here are conducted on a local level. You may even personally know the town moderator or the volunteers who work the polls on election day. All of this is done in accordance with New Hampshire law and under the oversight of Secretary of State David Scanlan. Some of our election laws have changed or been updated over the years. You now must bring your ID to prove identity, legal New Hampshire residency, and your right to vote. And many communities now use machines to count votes for accuracy, but nowhere in the state are these machines used to cast votes, nor are they connected to the internet.
Even in a state where many elections are decided by single-digit vote margins, it doesn’t take days or weeks to count votes. On election night you will know who won and that the election was conducted on a fair, transparent, and free basis. These are the reasons why New Hampshire is the gold standard in election process, counting, and accountability.
And this is not just the two of us saying this — Granite Staters themselves have expressed confidence in the current system. A recent poll conducted on behalf of the Democracy Defense Project found that New Hampshire voters overwhelmingly support the way elections are administered in our state and are wary of efforts to federalize the process. That sentiment should not be ignored. Election systems function best when they reflect the values and needs of the communities they serve — not when they are dictated by one-size-fits-all mandates from Washington, or worse, by one political party.
The Democracy Defense Project was founded on a bipartisan commitment to uphold the transparency, safety, and integrity of our elections. That mission requires us not only to support sound policy, but also to speak out against measures that risk doing more harm than good.
Recent federal election legislation, however well-intentioned, falls into the latter category. It threatens to override our effective state systems. Moreover, it is unnecessary — it is already illegal for a non-citizen to vote in New Hampshire, and proper ID is already required in the Granite State. Our elections are secure, trusted, and well-administered.
This is why we have joined the Secretary of State across the state at presentations to Rotary Clubs, college campuses, and other civic-minded groups, including election trainings. We know that in New Hampshire, talking with our neighbors is the most critical way to inform the public and build trust in our communities and in our elections alike. You will continue to see and hear from us, united in our message, across the Granite State ahead of the 2026 midterms.
So while political differences will always remain, we are here to say you can count on New Hampshire elections. They are accurate and true because of your vote and the volunteer efforts of your neighbors. We encourage every citizen to vote, and even more citizens to volunteer to help run our elections.
Published: May 3, 2026
