SURVEY SHOWS OVERWHELMING PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR MARSY’S LAW IN NH

Bipartisan Voter Survey Shows 85% of Granite Staters Support a Constitutional Amendment to Provide Equal Rights for Victims of Crime

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Scott Spradling: (603) 724-8092 / Amanda Grady Sexton (603) 548-9377

CONCORD – A new survey released today shows that 85% of New Hampshire voters would support a constitutional amendment known as “Marsy’s Law”.  Voters would have an opportunity to vote on Marsy’s Law in November if the proposed constitutional amendment (CACR22) is passed by a supermajority of the New Hampshire Legislature in the coming months.

“Granite Staters hold deeply rooted beliefs that all citizens should be treated with fairness and equality,” said Amanda Grady Sexton, State Director of Marsy’s Law for New Hampshire. “This poll shows significant bi-partisan support and is reflective of what we are hearing every day from citizens and lawmakers – that victims, like offenders, deserve constitutional rights. Marsy’s Law will provide basic protections for victims of crime and bring fairness and equality to our criminal justice system in New Hampshire.”

The statewide survey, conducted this month by two leading survey firms, reflects strong support in every region of the state and across the political spectrum.

Among the key findings:

• When first read a ballot summary for the constitutional amendment for crime victims, 70% of voters said they would vote yes to approve the amendment.
• After being read the content of CACR22, support grew to 85% percent of voters.
• Support for the Marsy’s Law was overwhelmingly strong across demographic groups:
• 81% of Republicans, 83% of Independents, and a whopping 90% of Democrats supported the measure.
• Both men (79% support) and women (90% support) said they would overwhelmingly vote yes on the amendment.
• Finally, voters in New Hampshire widely agree that crime victims should have the same rights as those accused and convicted of a crime.
• Eighty-four percent (84%) agree that victims should have equal rights. Intensity for equal rights is very strong, with 62% of those surveyed saying that they strongly agree.

“One of the most significant findings in the survey was Granite Staters desire to have equal rights for both crime victims and those accused and convicted of a crime”, said Sexton. “The strong intensity for support of attaining a balance is important – for this balance currently does not exist.  New Hampshire citizens want crime victims to have the same level of rights as those individuals who committed the crime.  No more but certainly no less.”

Marsy’s Law has the support of Governor Chris Sununu, the Senate President and Senate Democratic Leader, the Speaker of the House, House Democrat Leader and nearly every New Hampshire State Senator. The proposed measure provides basic constitutional rights for victims including: the right to notification, the right to be present at court proceedings, and the right to a process free of unreasonable delays.

About the survey:

The survey was conducted between January 2, 2018, and January 4, 2018, by two survey firms:  Public Opinion Strategies (R) and Anzalone Liszt Grove Research (D). The telephone survey had a sample of 500 registered voters — 200 of these interviews were communicated with cell phone respondents.  The survey has a margin of error of +4.38%.

About Marsy’s Law for New Hampshire:

Marsy’s Law for New Hampshire is a grassroots effort to bring constitutional rights to victims of crime. Under Marsy’s Law, or CACR 22, crime victims would have the right to notification of all proceedings and would be guaranteed the right to be heard in the criminal justice system. Victims would also have the right to have input on all plea deals for offenders as well as the right to restitution resulting from the financial impact of the crime. Victims, advocates, lawmakers, law enforcement, prosecutors, legal experts, and concerned citizens are leading this effort to establish enforceable rights for victims in New Hampshire, which is 1 of only 15 states that does not have constitutional rights for victims.

The Marsy’s Law movement began in 1983 by Henry Nicholas, whose sister Marsy was killed by her ex-boyfriend. One week after her murder, Marsy’s mother and Henry walked into a grocery store where they saw the accused murderer. The family had no idea that he had been released on bail. In an effort to honor his sister, Dr. Henry Nicholas has made it his mission in life to help provide victims and their families across the country with constitutional protections and equal rights.

Follow Marsy’s Law for New Hampshire:

Twitter:  @MarsysLawforNH   #ML4NH

Facebook:  Marsy’s Law for New Hampshire

Website:  https://marsyslaw.us/marsys-law-state-efforts/new-hampshire/