Four questions on ballot in Municipal Election this November

LACONIA — In Municipal Election on Tuesday, Nov. 4, there are four ballot questions up for a vote, including one allowing social zones for drinking in the city.  

Question 1

Asks voters if the city should amend Section 2:02 of the charter about duties of the supervisors of the checklist, who are individuals tasked with maintaining the city’s voter rolls. 

The change would, in effect, match language of the city’s charter to that of state RSA 654:27. In 2016, state law mandating when checklist sessions were to be held changed, giving more flexibility to local communities. By changing the existing language of the city charter to reflect state language, it would prevent the need for future changes to be made. 

According to state law, the supervisors of the checklist are to be in session for corrections of the checklist at “some suitable place in the city or town” on a day, designated by the supervisors themselves, which must be six to 13 days before the election. 

Whenever more than one session is required within a 21-day period, the first required meeting can satisfy the requirement of the remaining meetings. Sessions to correct the checklist must be at least 30 minutes long and, at the discretion of the supervisors, could be longer. 

They’ve got to provide public notice of the date, time and location of their meeting sessions at least a week prior to each session. 

Question 2

Asks voters if they’ll repeal section 2:03 of the Laconia City Charter, which is the same as the prior section. If the change referred to in Question 1 is made, it would eliminate the need for this section. It mandates supervisors hold sessions, at least six days before the election, from 9 a.m. to noon, and again from 2 until 5 p.m. on each day. The first session is required to be held on the first Tuesday after the election.

Question 3

Asks voters if the city should amend section 2:06 of the charter, changing the filing period for municipal elections from the first Wednesday in August to the second Wednesday in July. 

City Clerk Katie Gargano, in meetings of the city council, said if the city needs to prepare for a municipal Primary Election in September, they’ve only got three weeks following the end of the filing period to do so. That doesn’t afford her office enough time to order and receive ballots, send out and receive back absentee ballots, and to program and test electronic ballot counting devices. 

Question 4

Asks voters if they’d like the city to allow the creation of so-called “social districts,” areas in the city where public drinking would be permitted. 

House Bill 467 legalizes drinking in designated areas — social districts — allowing communities to create such zones for adults to consume alcoholic beverages. 

Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed the bill into law this year, and it went into effect in early September. It’s part of a broader trend in several states to allow public drinking in designated areas. 

The bill defines “social districts” as designated outdoor areas where people can consume alcoholic beverages sold by licensed establishments, but that doesn’t include the premises of the licensee.

Towns and cities in New Hampshire can choose to establish social districts, but the choice must be placed on the ballot during Town Meeting or regular municipal election, requiring a majority vote for approval. 

If approved, governments can set the hours of operation and define the boundaries of the social districts. Licensed vendors within those areas can serve drinks limited to 16 fluid ounces. 

Sample ballots for the Municipal Election are available on the city’s website. Visit laconianh.gov/1237/Sample-Ballots to view the sample ballot for your ward.