Seacoast Friends Preserving Democracy

Local residents of Portsmouth have joined together to resist the current chaos, and to ensure a healthy economy and a strong public health system. The sand in our democracy's hour glass is quickly falling and time is running out. The time to act is now.

About Us

Seacoast Friends Preserving Democracy (SFPD) has recently formed in response to current threats to our constitutional democracy.

We encourage independents, disenfranchised voters, and all defenders of democracy regardless of political affiliation on the Seacoast of Maine and New Hampshire to join us in these crucial efforts to protect our two-hundred-and forty-nine-year-old democracy

Our mission is to advocate for a healthy democracy, democratic values, and the protection of our constitutional rights.

We are inviting you to join us in preserving our democracy. To that end, our organization:

We fund our own activities and do not contribute to candidates or solicit donations for ourselves and others.

Coordinating Committee

Peter Somssich, Former NH State Representative
Brian Wazlaw, Former NH State Representative
Michael Derhammer

Mission

To advocate locally for the preservation of democracy, democratic values, and constitutional rights in the United States of America.

Goals

Objectives

Events

ICE and Our Constitutional Rights

The Seacoast Friends Preserving Democracy are announcing the first in a series of informational talks about Constitutional Rights, Democracy, Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE), Affordability, and more.


The first talk will take place on Thursday, February 19 at 6:00 PM in the Hilton Garden Room at the Portsmouth Public Library.

Buzz Scherr, Portsmouth Police Commissioner and Portsmouth State Representative, will present his talk "ICE and Our Constitutional Rights."

Scherr is a semi-retired law professor who worked as a public defender in New Hampshire for thirteen years before becoming a law professor at UNH Law. He served for seven years on the national board of directors of the ACLU and as chair of the board of directors of the ACLU-NH for seven years. As Chair of the Portsmouth Police Commission, Sheer has worked with the Portsmouth Police Department as they have declined to apply for an agreement to work as Immigration and & Customs Enforcement (ICE) proxies.

In his talk, Scherr will explain the laws regarding how ICE is allowed to operate and the ways they are accountable for their actions. He will also describe how residents can protect their rights guaranteed by the United States constitution. As he often says, "The Constitution and its protections live only as long as the people of this country activate its principles through attentiveness and vigilance."

Light refreshments will be provided. For more information, please contact Peter Somssich at 603-436-5382 (No texts please) or peter.somssich@gmail.com.

Democratic Roundtable

Co-Sponsored by the Portsmouth Democrats and the Seacoast Friends Preserving Democracy (SFPD)

The monthly Democratic Roundtable is held on the 4th Tuesday of each month, at a local establishment from 6-8 PM

The Roundtable is an opportunity to socialize with Democrats and other friends without any agenda or rigid structure. It is an opportunity for new residents of Portsmouth to meet those involved with Seacoast Friends Preserving Democracy and the Portsmouth Democrats and learn of opportunities to get involved, suggest new ideas, or be supportive of planned initiatives.


This month the Roundtable will be on February 24, 2026

For information or questions please contact Peter Somssich at 603-436-5382 (No Texts Please) or peter.somssich@gmail.com or Brian Wazlaw at 603-988-9998

Coffee with Democrats

The monthly meetup will be at a local Portsmouth restaurant on a Friday from 8-9 AM. Drop in and enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow Dems and bring a friend.


This month the Roundtable will be on February 27, 2026

For the location of the Meetup or any other information, please contact Brian Wazlaw at 603-988-9998 or Peter Somssich at 603-436-5382

Take Action

Call to make your voice heard:

White House Hotline 202-456-1111
Congressional Switchboard 202-224-3121
NH Governor Kelly Ayotte 603-271-2121
NH State Senators 603-793-1076
NH Executive Council 603-436-1645
ME Governor Janet Mills 207-287-3531
ME State Senators 800-423-6900

Our Elected Officials

US President / Vice President Donald Trump / JD Vance (R / R)
US Senate (NH) Jeanne Shaheen (D)
US Senate (NH) Maggie Hassan (D)
Congress (NH CD-1) Chris Pappas (D)
NH Governor Kelly Ayotte (R)
US Senate (ME) Susan Collins (R)
US Senate (ME) Angus King (D)
Congress (ME CD-1) Chellie Pingree (D)
Congress (ME CD-2) Jared Golden (D)
NH Executive Councilor Janet Stevens (R)
NH Senate Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D)
NH General Court (Portsmouth) Jennifer Mandelbaum (W1, D)
James David Meuse (W1/5, D)
Carrie Sorensen (W2, D)
Ned Raynolds (W2/3/4, D)
Buzz Scherr (W3, D)
Gerry Ward (W4, D)
Kate Murray (W5, D)

Testify Remotely, Regarding a NH Bill in the NH House

X

Submitting Personal Comments for Pending NH House Bills

Inform yourself first regarding the House Bill number (e.g., HB 380) as well as the date, time, and room number of the hearing. If you cannot attend the hearing in person, follow the instructions below to share your opposition or support.

  1. Click this link for the House Remote Sign-In Sheet: House Remote Testimony
  2. Fill out your personal information. (Step 1)
  3. Select the day of the hearing from the calendar. (Step 2)
  4. Select the correct committee using the "Select the Committee" menu. (Step 3)
    • Select the time and the bill number from the "Choose the Bill" menu.
    • Choose the appropriate option from the "I am" dropdown menu (most will choose "A Member of the Public").
    • Type who you are representing in the "I'm Representing" text box (defaults to "Myself").
    • Click/tap the "I Oppose" or "I Support This Bill" button.
    • If you have written testimony, upload it in the "Upload Remote Testimony" area or type your testimony into the text box. (Step 4)
  5. Final Review and Submit. (Step 5)

To find the full text of a bill (e.g., HB283), use the link below and select "Bill Text" at the top right corner:
NH Bill Text Lookup
Replace "HB283" in the URL with the bill number you are researching.

Testify Remotely, Regarding a NH Bill in the NH Senate

X

Submitting Personal Comments for Pending NH Senate Bills

Inform yourself first regarding the Senate Bill number (e.g., SB 380), the date and time of the hearing, the room number, and the committee hearing the bill. If you cannot attend in person, follow the instructions below to share your support or opposition.

  1. Go to the NH General Court website: gc.nh.gov
  2. From the top banner, select Senate and then choose the appropriate Standing Committee (e.g., Children and Family Law).
  3. In the committee listing, select "Email Entire Committee."
  4. You are now ready to send an email to all committee members. Include:
    • The bill number you are writing about
    • Whether you are in favor or in opposition
    • Whether you are writing on behalf of an organization or as a member of the public
  5. Final Review and Submit your email.

To find the full text of a bill (e.g., HB283), use the link below and select "Bill Text" at the top right corner:
NH Bill Text Lookup
Replace "HB283" with the appropriate bill number (e.g., SB 303).

State Issues of Current Concern

Call NH Governor to stop unaccountable ICE activities and the siting of an ICE detention center in NH.

Federal Issues of Current Concern

Call White House, US Senators and US House members and ask them to stop ICE activities outside border areas and demand full accountability.

Contact Us

Email

peter.somssich@gmail.com
briwazlaw@aol.com

Telephone

Peter Somssich 603-436-5382 (Please no texts)
Brian Wazlaw 603-988-9998

Voting

Where do I register to vote?

  1. An individual can register to vote at the office of the town or city clerk.
  2. An individual can register to vote on election day at their polling/voting location.

What information/documentation is required to register to vote?

  1. To register and vote in New Hampshire, you must be:
    • 18 years of age or older on election day;
    • A United States citizen; and
    • Domiciled in the town or ward where you seek to vote.
  2. Absentee Voter: Can vote in Person Clerk's Office by 11/2/25 by 5 PM
  3. Information/Documentation needed to register to vote:
    1. You must provide documents to prove your identity, age, citizenship, and domicile to register. You may present documents in paper or electronic form.
    2. A driver's license or non-driver ID from any state is proof of identity and age. A driver's license or non-driver ID is also proof of domicile if the listed address matches the domicile address you enter on the voter registration form. A birth certificate, U.S. Passport/Passport card, or naturalization document is proof of citizenship and age. Domicile proof - rental agreement, property deed, campus housing, tax form, utility bill, homeless shelter, driver's license, government issued ID, or any reasonable document that establishes you are domiciled at that address.

Resources

Independent Non-Profit Media