Politics
Longtime voters reflect on previous elections and current election anxiety
By RACHEL WACHMAN
Anne Baier remembers attending a New York campaign rally for John F. Kennedy when she was eight years old. Baier wore a button that said “If I were 21, I’d vote for Kennedy.” She recalled the awe she felt at seeing Kennedy come on stage and address...
From vows to votes: Concord wedding venue converted to polling location
Monitor staff
A crew from Concord Public Properties was busy at The Barn at Bull Meadow on Bog Road Monday morning as the wedding and events venue was transformed into the Ward 2 polling location.Multiple U.S. flags were installed inside and bright orange signs...
Everything – well, many things – you need to know about voting Tuesday
By DAVID BROOKS
As you prepare to vote Tuesday, here is some advice:I forgot where and when to vote.Polling places and times in the Greater Concord area are in the Monitor and on the Monitor website. For everybody else, there’s an online form from the Secretary of...
New Hampshire’s largest city took center stage in the race for governor
By CHARLOTTE MATHERLY
Paula Whittaker’s feelings about Manchester depend on the specific section of the state’s largest city and the time of day. There are some areas, like the Western Side, that she avoids – especially when she has her daughter in tow – but she said she...
On the trail: Top Dem surrogates parachute into NH – Does it make a difference?
By PAUL STEINHAUSER
Former President Bill Clinton returned to New Hampshire days before the election to campaign on behalf of Vice President Kamala Harris, Granite State Democratic gubernatorial nominee Joyce Craig, and down-ballot Democrats.The stop in Nashua by the...
Senate District 7: Democrat Stu Green challenges Republican incumbent Daniel Innis in race that could determine Senate control
By JEREMY MARGOLIS
A retired Navy commander who registered as a Democrat earlier this year is challenging a Republican businessman and marketing professor in a race that could determine control of the state Senate.Political newcomer Stu Green grew up in Andover and...
Lawyers ask federal court to rule transgender sports law unconstitutional for all – not just the two plaintiffs
By JEREMY MARGOLIS
Lawyers on Thursday asked a federal court to rule New Hampshire’s controversial transgender sports law unconstitutional for all students – not just their two clients – setting up a potentially precedent-setting court decision.The new request – made...
Howard Pearl and Kelly Roberts vie for Merrimack County’s District 17 state senate seat
By RACHEL WACHMAN
While different in many of their views, Howard Pearl and Kelly Roberts find common ground in lowering property taxes for New Hampshire residents and wanting to serve their constituents to the best of their ability.“I firmly believe that New Hampshire...
Ethics Committee won’t weigh in on Reardon and new recusal law
By CATHERINE McLAUGHLIN
The state’s Legislative Ethics Committee declined to determine whether or not a new conflict of interest law would require Senate candidate Tara Reardon to recuse herself from certain legislation if she is elected next month primarily because she is...
Senate candidates Reardon, Ean on marijuana, abortion and school vouchers
By CATHERINE McLAUGHLIN
In the State Senate race to succeed Becky Whitley, a former teacher and police officer is facing off against a longtime former state representative and lawyer.Republican Pamela Ean came to New Hampshire nearly 30 years ago, and has served as a teacher...
On the trail: Harris leads Trump in new NH poll
By PAUL STEINHAUSER
With less than one week until Election Day, a new public opinion survey in swing state New Hampshire indicates Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris with a single-digit lead over former President Donald Trump, the Republican...
Longtime incumbent, former state senator square off for Executive Council District 5
By CHARLOTTE MATHERLY
Two experienced public officials will compete for a seat on the Executive Council on Nov. 5.The incumbent, Republican Dave Wheeler, will face Melanie Levesque, a former Democratic state senator who’s challenging him in the council’s fifth district,...
Split decisions: NH election outcomes could hinge on voters who cross party lines
By JOSH ROGERS
Polling shows the presidential election at a near dead heat. In New Hampshire, that jump ball scenario also applies to the governor’s race, which means the outcomes in both contests could hinge on voters who choose to go with one party for president,...
New Hampshire’s interest and dividends tax – and why it’s a hot campaign issue – explained
By ETHAN DeWITT
As Democrat Joyce Craig and Republican Kelly Ayotte hone their final pitches to voters over who should be the next governor, one topic has proven particularly contentious: taxes.Craig has assailed New Hampshire Republicans’ moves to repeal the...
Public education and climate change take center stage in State Senate District 8 race
By SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN
Republican incumbent Senator Ruth Ward and Democratic challenger David Trumble are clashing over the future of public education funding and the state’s response to climate change.Both issues have taken center stage in the race state for Senate...
Free voter shuttles offered around Concord on Election Day
Free rides to polling places on Election Day are being offered throughout New Hampshire, including the Concord region. Concord Area Transit and Mid-State Transit are offering free voter shuttle service Nov. 5, from people’s homes or workplace to any...
Local control keeps New Hampshire’s elections trustworthy, argues the Secretary of State
By DAVID BROOKS
The state’s top election official did his best Tuesday to ward off in advance any conspiracy theories about next week’s election, saying that claims about illegal voters or ballot tampering don’t resonate in New Hampshire because of in-person...
Experience vs. new blood: Mandatory retirement age for judges is on the ballot
By DAVID BROOKS
Among other things, the Nov. 5 election will put New Hampshire judges in the middle of a long debate about how to deal with older workers: whether it’s best to keep them for their experience or ease them out to make room for new blood.A proposed...
Granite Geek: The seamy side of those fun ‘ballot selfies’
Eleven years ago an amusing little controversy arose around New Hampshire elections: Whether the novel act of posting “selfies” online (this was 2013, remember) could legally be applied to pictures of your completed ballot inside the voting booth.The...
Q&A: How to avoid misinformation around the elections
By RHIANWEN WATKINS
David Scanlan has served as New Hampshire secretary of state since January 2022. In that job he oversees all aspects of state elections. He served as deputy secretary of state for 20 years before assuming his latest role.Q: What is your role as...
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