Ellen Read is a New Hampshire politician. She is a Democratic member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives.

Career

On November 8, 2016, Read was elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives where she represents the Rockingham 17 district. Read is a Democrat. Read serves on the Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee. Read endorsed Bernie Sanders in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries. She is the founder of the New Hampshire Progressive Caucus. She has served on the Special Committee on Housing since its formation in 2022.

In 2021, Read left the Democratic party to sit as an independent. She cited issues with Democratic Party leadership, specifically with alleged corruption by Representative Cathryn Harvey. She caucused with fellow independent Tony Labranche for the remainder of the term. In 2022, Read re-joined the Democratic Party and won another term as State Representative. She was re-elected again in 2024.

Personal life

Read grew up the eldest of five in south Memphis, Tennessee. Read holds a master’s degree in liberal studies – environmental and socioeconomic ethics and policy from the UNH (2011), as well as a BS in molecular and cellular biology from Vanderbilt University (2003), with a double minor in religious studies and Japanese. She has worked as a high school teacher in Japan (2003-2006) as well as an adjunct professor of American government at Great Bay Community College. Read has resided in Newmarket, New Hampshire, since 2009.

Political positions

Read is considered a progressive representative.

Constitutional reform

In 2018 and 2020, Read sponsored a constitutional amendment to the New Hampshire Constitution to allow for recall elections.

In 2022, Read co-sponsored a constitutional amendment to allow for citizen-led initiatives.

In 2024, Read introduced a constitutional amendment to make the default oath of office be the non-religious oath.

Criminal justice reform

In 2022, Read co-sponsored a House Resolution urging Congress to remove the exception from the 13th Amendment: "except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted."

In 2024, Read co-sponsored a bill to establish an affirmative defense to the crime of resisting arrest that the arrest was unlawful or constitutional.

Electoral reform

Read has been vocal about overturning Citizens United v. FEC and has proposed multiple bills that have to do with corporate and private funding of elections. in 2024, she introduced House Resolution calling on Congress to pass a constitutional amendment to distinguish between corporate and individual rights.

In 2017, Read sponsored a bill to allow for no-excuse absentee voting.

In 2019, Read co-sponsored a proposed constitutional amendment to allow for no-excuse absentee voting.

Read is a leading advocate for ranked choice voting. Read has repeatedly introduced bills to implement ranked choice voting in New Hampshire.

Read has repeatedly introduced bills to create an Election Day Holiday.

Environment

In 2024, Read co-sponsored a bill to prohibit "single-use disposable plastic foodware accessories.". Read also co-sponsored a bill to limit the use of unmarked police cruisers in traffic enforcement. Read also co-sponsored a bill to require all municipal police department owned vehicles bear a municipal police license plate and prohibiting officers from using a vehicle that does not bear such plate.

Housing policy

In 2022, Read co-sponsored a bill to abolish single-family zoning and allow up to four units by-right.

In 2023, Read proposed a bill to limit rental application fees. Read also sponsored a bill to limit municipal zoning ordinances to only those dealing with the health and safety of residents. Read also introduced a bill to create a right to legal counsel for tenants in eviction proceedings. In 2024, Read proposed a bill to allow two Accessory Dwelling Units by-right. Read proposed a bill to allow municipalities to adopt rent control measures. Read co-sponsored a bill to prohibit zoning ordinances from restricting the number of occupants in a residential rental property to less than 2 occupants per bedroom.

Reproductive rights

In 2024, Read proposed a bill to create a right to sterilization.

Workers' rights

In 2022, Read introduced a bill to require certain large employers to post work schedules seven days in advance and additionally provided for rest periods for employees. Read also co-sponsored a constitutional amendment that would provide "that all workers have a right to a minimum wage that provides them with well-being and a dignified existence.".

2024 Read introduced legislation to create a 4-day work week.

HB1675

Read was the prime sponsor of House Bill 1675 (2026), which originally proposed establishing a legislative commission to investigate the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and review its funding and oversight structure.

She stated the bill was intended to examine the use of public funds, saying, "There’s a lot of smoke, and when there’s smoke, there’s very likely fire."

The bill was later amended to focus on applying New Hampshire’s Right-to-Know law and additional reporting requirements to the Coalition.

The proposal drew significant opposition. Critics argued it could compromise victim confidentiality and conflict with federal funding requirements, while supporters said increased transparency was warranted.

Reporting by NH Journal and other outlets noted that the bill was associated with allegations promoted by an outside activist and described the proposal as reflecting disputed claims about the Coalition. Governor Kelly Ayotte indicated she would veto the measure if it reached her desk, citing concerns about its potential impact on victim services and confidentiality protections.

In March 2026, the House voted 168–156 to table the bill.

Conduct and public incidents

Read has been involved in multiple public incidents during her time in office that have drawn scrutiny from colleagues and media outlets.

2019 bus incident

In 2019, Read was fired from her job working as a public bus driver in Exeter following an employment dispute .

Committee hearing incident

In 2024, Read was involved in a confrontation with a witness during a legislative hearing that prompted review by House leadership.

House access restriction (2026)

In April 2026, Read was barred from entering the New Hampshire House chamber and anteroom on non-session days following reports of disruptive behavior at the State House. The restriction was imposed by House leadership and applies only when the legislature is not in session. Read described the action as “unfair.” According to additional reporting, the restriction followed a complaint involving the use of profanity in the State House; Read disputed that characterization.

Handicap parking controversy (2026)

In April 2026, Read threatened legal action over a social media post alleging improper use of a handicap parking placard. She disputed the claims, while questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident were reported in local media.

Gaza flotilla involvement

In 2025, Read was involved in a Gaza-bound flotilla organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.

Coverage of the effort differed. NH Journal described the flotilla as an "anti-Israel flotilla" and noted criticism of her participation, while InDepthNH characterized it as a humanitarian effort intended to draw attention to conditions in Gaza.

Public perception

Media coverage of Read has frequently focused on both her legislative proposals and her conduct in office. Reporting has described her sponsorship of HB1675 as a significant political flashpoint and noted divisions among lawmakers, advocacy organizations, and the public.

Her involvement in multiple public incidents, as well as her legislative initiatives, has contributed to a public profile that has drawn both support and criticism.