On February 20, the New Hampshire House Election Law Committee passed HB 1322 by a vote of 14-1. This is the bill to change the definition of “party” from a group that polled 4% for either Governor or U.S. Senator, to 3% for either office. The lone “no” vote was cast by Rep. Shawn Jasper (R-Hudson).

If the bill eventually is signed into law, it would have no immediate impact. The only minor party candidate on the ballot in 2012 for Governor was the Libertarian nominee, John Babiarz, who got 2.78%. New Hampshire elects its Governor every two years. The median vote test of the 50 states is 2%. Thanks to Darryl Perry for the news.