Brookline, NH is a small town in Hillsborough County, with a population of approximately 1,200. The town is composed of elected officials that are responsible for representing the citizens and providing local services. The town is represented by an elected Board of Selectmen who administer the day-to-day operations of the town, as well as an elected Town Moderator to lead Town Meeting and direct discussion among members. Brookline also elects its own fiscal officer to oversee the budgeting process and ensure that all funds are properly allocated and spent wisely. Additionally, there is a Planning Board which serves to review zoning changes and development proposals for the community.
One of Brookline’s most noteworthy political issues is its recent debate over allowing retail marijuana sales in the area. During a 2019 Town Meeting, a vote was taken to determine whether or not retailers should be allowed within the town limits; ultimately, it was decided that retail marijuana stores would not be allowed in Brookline. Several public forums have been held since then in order to allow residents to voice their opinions on the matter. Despite this recent decision, many citizens still strongly disagree with one another on how the issue should be addressed going forward.
The political climate in Brookline, NH is leaning conservative.
Hillsborough County, NH is leaning liberal. In Hillsborough County, NH 52.8% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election, 45.2% voted for the Republican Party, and the remaining 2.0% voted Independent.
In the last Presidential election, Hillsborough county flipped moderately Democratic, 52.8% to 45.2%.
Hillsborough county flipped Democratic in the most recent Presidential election (2000, 2004 and 2016 went Republican).
The BestPlaces liberal/conservative index
Brookline, NH is leaning conservative.
Hillsborough County, New Hampshire is leaning liberal.
Manchester-Nashua Metro Area is leaning liberal.
New Hampshire is leaning liberal.
The BestPlaces liberal/conservative index is based on recent voting in national elections, federal campaign contributions by local residents, and consumer personality profiles.
VoteWord™
Displaying 20 years of Presidential voting, visualized in one word.
Brookline, New Hampshire: r r d d r d
How It Works:
Here at BestPlaces, we were looking at the voting patterns since the 2000 election and realized that we could express the results of each election as one letter. R if the Republican Party candidate won, D if the Democratic Party candidate won and I if the Independent Party candidate won. The six elections (2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020) would be expressed as six-letter word (R R D R R).
Then we went a little further and added the dimension of magnitude. If the difference of victory was greater than 10 percent, the letter is upper case, and lower case if the difference was less than 10 percent. This allows us to see interesting voting patterns at just a glance.
Here's the VoteWord for Iowa d r d d r. In the last six elections the state has been closely contested, voting narrowly for the Republican Party candidate in 2016 and 2020 after voting for the Democratic Party in 2008 and 2012. Virginia (r r d d d D) has voted for the Democratic Party in the last three elections.
Individual Campaign Contributions in Brookline, NH
In the last 4 years (2018-2021), there were 1,450 contributions totaling $254,261 to the Democratic Party and liberal campaigns, averaging $175 per contribution.
In the last 4 years, there were 453 contributions totaling $158,848 to the Republican Party and conservative campaigns, averaging $351 per contribution.
(source: Federal Election Commission)