Gerald W.R. Ward

Voting Record, 2024

Ward voted to consider repealing the Education Freedom Account program in 2022 (HB 1683). In 2023, Ward also voted against two bills that would expand eligibility for the Education Freedom Account program (HB 367 and HB 464). In 2024 Rep. Ward voted against several bills to expand eligibility for Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs), including HB 1561, HB 1634, HB 1665, and HB 1677. Ward also voted for HB 1512, which would limit the EFA program to a budget.

Voting Record, 2023

Voted against HB 591, a bill that would prohibit a doctor from performing an abortion after detecting a fetal heartbeat.

Voting Record, 2016

Ward voted against various abortion restrictions in 2016, including a bill to ban abortions after 20 weeks gestation (HB 1636) and a bill to prohibit abortions based on genetic abnormality (HB 1623)

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should NH add an income tax on earned income?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?

Voting Record, 2019

Voted in favor of HB 686, a bill that would extend the interest and dividends tax to capital gains and increase the exemptions and filing thresholds for the interest and dividends tax. HB 686 would have used the new capital gains tax revenue to increase per-pupil school funding and lower the state property tax rate.

Voting Record, 2023

Voted for HB 208, a bill to establish greenhouse gas emission reduction goals for the state, to net zero by 2050. The bill also required the Department of Environmental Services to develop a climate action plan.

Voting Record, 2022

Voted against creating a conditional "affidavit ballot" for voters registering on Election Day without ID (SB 418)

Voting Record, 2024

In 2024 Rep. Ward voted for a few bills that would ease zoning requirements. For example, Ward voted for HB 1291 (to increase rights of property owners to build accessory dwelling units), HB 1399 (to make it easier to convert single family residence into two units), and HB 1400 (to limit parking requirements, plus add tax credits for office conversions).

Voting Record, 2024

Voted to increase the maximum electric generating capacity to participate in net energy metering, from one to five megawatts (HB 523)

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?

Voting Record, 2024

Voted to consider starting a Child Care Workforce Fund to recruit and retain New Hampshire child care employees (HB 1611)

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Do you support New Hampshire’s current system of public school funding, with about two-thirds of total funding coming from local property taxes?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?

Voting Record, 2024

In 2023 Rep. Ward voted to legalize private marijuana sales with a 12.5% excise tax (HB 639). In 2024 Ward voted to legalize marijuana with licensed outlets and a 10% tax on monthly total gross revenue (HB 1633).

Voting Record, 2022

Voted against a bill to legalize marijuana with the Liquor Commission regulating sales (HB 1598)

Voting Record, 2024

During the 2019-2020 legislative session, Rep. Ward voted for HB 186 (to gradually raise the minimum wage to $12/hour), HB 731 (to gradually raise the minimum wage to $15/hour), and SB 10 (to gradually raise the minimum wage to $12/hour). In the 2023-2024 session, Ward voted for HB 57 (to raise the minimum wage to $15/hour) and HB 1322 (to gradually raise the minimum wage to $17/hour, with future inflation adjustments).

Voting Record, 2024

Voted for HB 368, a bill that would provide various legal protections for persons receiving gender-related health care. For example, HB 368 would prohibit New Hampshire from enforcing an order from another state to remove a child from a home based on a parent allowing their child to receive gender-affirming health care.

Voting Record, 2023

Voted to repeal the "fetal life protection act", which restricts access to abortion after 24 weeks (HB 271).

Seacoast Online Voter Guide, 2024

"This is not a significant issue for NH. Gov. Sununu's attempt to tighten security at our northern border proved to be a waste of significant funds and resulted in virtually no significant actions.

"More broadly, the American experience has been immeasurably enriched by immigrants starting in the seventeenth century, and the recent Republican demonization of, and fear-mongering about, immigrants is shameful and un-American."

Voting Record, 2023

Ward has voted for many bills that would tighten gun laws, including:

• HB 1285 and HB 564 (banning firearms on school grounds)
• HB 1608 (banning large capacity magazines)
• HB 109 and HB 1379 (expanding firearm background checks)
• HB 514, HB 1101, and HB 76 (establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases)
• HB 687 and HB 106 (establishing extreme risk protection orders, similar to a red flag law)