2 weeks Ago
Secretary of State David Scanlan said he expects a smooth election next Tuesday that could again result in a record-breaking turnout of New Hampshire voters. “Things are shaping up to be a smooth election, knock on wood,” Scanlan told reporters in his office Tuesday. Those who plan to vote by absentee ballot should send them in by mail immediately, Scanlan said.
To count they must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
Scanlan pointed to a little-known election law that allows someone to designate a “delivery agent” who can turn in an absentee ballot for them at city or town halls up until 5 p.m. on the eve of the vote.
Scanlan said he had little concern about intimidation of election officials or volunteers at the polls, but he urged the public to be respectful while casting their ballots. “These people are doing a civic duty, all of them work in a non-partisan way to make sure we have a solid, fair, secure election,” Scanlan said. There will be lines at the polls, especially for new registrants, since after the 2020 Census the state removed about 100,000 voters from the rolls because they hadn’t voted in recent elections, he said.
Attorney General John Formella, Safety Commissioner Bob Quinn and he have reached out to the New Hampshire Associations of Chiefs of Police to ask that each polling place have at least one officer who in a “not conspicuous” way can be on hand to help keep the peace. As of Tuesday, there were 901,784 registered voters with independents (331,519) making up the largest voting block followed by Republicans (304,340) and Democrats (265,925). “The turnout is going to be very high,” said Scanlan, who will make his official projection at the end of this week.
“I wouldn’t’ be surprised if it is another record turnout.” Scanlan said about 85,000 absentee ballots have already been requested. Despite records being set for mail-in voting in states across the country, Scanlan said he expects only about 10% will not vote in person in the Granite State.
New Hampshire limits who can vote by absentee to someone unable to get to the polls due to a disability, a religious observance or a work conflict that means they can’t be present to vote on Tuesday. “I think people in New Hampshire enjoy going to the polls; it’s a social event,” Scanlan said. The tradition of the first-in-the-nation presidential primary here puts a premium on voters wanting to be present while casting a ballot, he said.
“The whole election and campaign process reaches a climate on that day and voters want to be part of that,” Scanlan said. Any person who qualifies to vote by absentee may ask an “immediate family member” to deliver their ballot to the city or town hall by Monday night. Administrators of nursing homes or other elder care complexes can bring absentee ballots from residents of the facility and deliver them to local election officials, Scanlan added.
Scanlan urged voters to reject the conspiracy theories and threats about voter integrity in the run-up to what is expected to be a close election. “Voters can expect an increased degree of disinformation and misinformation leading up to the presidential election,” Scanlan said. Voter confidence is higher here than across the country because there are so many checks and balances to keep ballots secure while making the process transparent and easy to observe, he said.
“It (voter corruption) would be a very difficult thing to pull off in our state the way we run our elections,” Scanlan said. Anyone with concerns about voting should contact local election officials, his office or the AG, Scanlan stressed. “If you hear or see crazy things related to a campaign or candidate, call the campaign and ask them about it,” Scanlan said.
“Use good judgment when you see or hear things on social media platforms.” Scanlan credited his top two lieutenants with creating new programs to increase voter awareness. Senior Deputy Secretary of State Patricia Lovejoy created the honor a vet with your vote initiative to encourage anyone to post a message on behalf of a loved one on the state’s website.
Already 750 have signed up in this election to receive from the state a commemorative pin designed by a U.S Navy veteran who had served on the USS New Hampshire. Deputy Secretary of State Erin Hennessey devised a contest in which fourth grade artists competed to be chosen for one of a few selected designs for the stickers offered to anyone who casts a ballot at the polls.
“This program has been incredibly popular,” Scanlan added. [email protected].
