Exeter voted to protect people and our planet.

In New Hampshire, citizens cannot petition for statewide ballot measures but can petition at the town level. As such, a small group of citizens petitioned to include five ballot articles in the 2025 town election in Exeter. All five articles received majority support! This is an example of a grassroots activity bringing citizens together to inform the greater community about the impact of corporate greed and political corruption on our lives.

Here is a printable brochure of Articles 33-37 from the Exeter election.

66% voted YES for advanced safety technology to make guns safer and reduce gun-related deaths and injuries.

Article 33: By petition of Karishma Manzur and others, Shall the Town vote direct the Exeter Select Board, our Governor, and State elected representatives to disclose and divest all town and state pension funds and withdraw investments from weapons manufacturers that are not incorporating advanced technology and other safety features to prevent gun deaths and gun thefts?

  • Every year, gun violence kills more than 45,000 people in America and wounds twice as many. Injury from firearms is now the leading cause of death for children and teens in America. Gun violence is costing our nation over $557 billion in health care treatments and lost economic opportunity. The lost human potential cannot be measured. Put simply, America cannot afford gun violence.

  • As citizens, we want to make the world safer for everyone, especially children.

  • The record of the vote approving this article shall be sent to Exeter’s State and Federal representatives and the Governor of New Hampshire.

59% voted YES to reduce fraud and waste in the Defense Department and stop corrupt politicians from war profiteering.

Article 34: By petition of Karishma Manzur and others, Shall the Town vote to call upon our Federal elected representatives to investigate the massive fraud and waste in the US Department of Defense, cut the vast $900 billion defense budget, and use taxpayer funds to help ordinary Americans?

  • While over 45 million Americans are struggling with hunger, billions of dollars will go to a few giant defense contractors that overcharge the US government and make enormous profits for their CEOs and shareholders. This is disgraceful.

  • As citizens, we want our tax funds to help ordinary Americans.

  • The record of the vote approving this article shall be sent to Exeter’s State and Federal representatives and the Governor of New Hampshire.

60% voted YES to uphold human rights for all people in Israel and Palestine.

Article 35: By petition of Karishma Manzur and others, Shall the Town vote to call upon our Federal elected representatives to use the US government’s considerable influence to (1) support the safety and right to life of all people living in Israel and Palestine, (2) enforce U.S. laws prohibiting weapons sales to countries that violate human rights, and (3) ensure the safe delivery of food and medical supplies to the people in Gaza?

  • While many Americans struggle to live from paycheck to paycheck, many are homeless, children are going hungry, elderly people are unable to afford to heat their homes, and millions of Americans don’t have health insurance, our government spent over $90 million of New Hampshire tax money in 2024 to buy weapons for Israel. We want our government to spend our money to help ordinary Americans.

  • As citizens, we are also concerned that our money and weapons are being used to make Gaza the most dangerous place in the world to be a child.

  • The record of the vote approving this article shall be sent to Exeter’s State and Federal representatives and the Governor of New Hampshire.

75% voted YES to stop wealthy donors from controlling our elected officials.

Article 36: By petition of Karishma Manzur and others, Shall the Town vote to authorize and direct the Exeter Select Board, our Governor, and State and Federal elected representatives to support a $5,000 limit on contributions to political action committees (PACs) and super PACs that spend money to support or defeat candidates for office in New Hampshire?

  • Democracy means that we elect our political leaders, and they represent us. As citizens, we are concerned that corporations and billionaires use money to make our elected officials do what they want, and most ordinary Americans do not have that power.

  • The record of the vote approving this article shall be sent to Exeter’s State and Federal representatives and the Governor of New Hampshire.

81% voted YES to protect clean air, pure water, and a healthy environment.

Article 37: By petition of Karishma Manzur and others, Shall the Town vote to call upon our Governor and State and Federal elected representatives to conserve and maintain New Hampshire’s public natural resources for the benefit of this and future generations?

  • As citizens, we recognize the fundamental right of people, plants, and animals to have clean air, pure water, and a healthy environment.

  • We urge our State and Federal governments to ensure that our beautiful state continues to have a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment upon which we all rely.

  • The record of the vote approving this article shall be sent to Exeter’s State and Federal representatives and the Governor of New Hampshire.