To the editor:

As a former independent candidate for Portsmouth Town Council and a member of the most recent Charter Review Committee, I respectfully encourage voters to vote Yes/Approve on Question 7.

This charter amendment would make town council and school committee elections nonpartisan, removing political party labels from the ballot, as is already the practice in Newport, Middletown and Tiverton.

My support also comes from a conversation I have never forgotten. At a political event in Newport in 2018, I met a woman running for city council who worked as an engineer at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center. She explained that, because of the Hatch Act, she could not run in Portsmouth’s partisan elections if she lived there. That candidate later became mayor of Newport — a powerful example of the leadership our community could miss when qualified residents face barriers to serving.

Federal employees bring valuable experience and skills to our communities. The Hatch Act generally prohibits them from running in partisan elections, while allowing candidacy in nonpartisan elections, subject to its requirements.

Voters would remain free to research candidates’ political views, backgrounds and positions. Removing party labels would encourage us to consider each candidate as an individual and ask what that person can contribute to our town.

You don’t need to be a Democrat or Republican to decide which trash contract best serves Portsmouth. You need sound judgment, careful consideration of the costs and benefits and a commitment to treating all citizens with respect.

Please join me in voting “Approve” on Question 7.

Conni Harding

Portsmouth