Candidates, voters happy with turnout, civility at Gilford polls

GILFORD — Ellen Gelotte is 98 years old and has never missed voting in an election. That tradition continued in Tuesday morning's Primary Election.

“I am a Republican, and I will vote Republican,” Gelotte said. “I would hate to miss a vote. I don’t ever remember missing one.”

Voters were hitting the polls early and often Tuesday morning, where there was a contested Republican Statehouse race in Belknap's District 6, covering Gilford, Gilmanton and Laconia's Ward 2. Six candidates were vying for four spots on the ballot in the General Election Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Candidates and supporters were holding campaign signs in front of the entrance to Gilford Youth Center, which serves as the polling station. They all said this year, there appeared to be a higher turnout than usual, especially for a Primary Election in a non-presidential contest year.

“I’m counting on the people who come and vote to decide — my friends and my neighbors — if I am the most valuable candidate,” said Jade Wood, a Republican running for a seat in the Statehouse.

She was alongside Rep. Glen Aldrich (R-Gilford), hoping to retain his seat. He said was speaking with constituents all morning about their needs, and it is his hope to stay in the Statehouse so he can “look out for the little guy.”

“That mission never ends,” Aldrich said. “Everything is going up. Taxes are going up, and as we discussed, mine tripled.”

Joyce Collins was holding a sign for Priscilla Bean, the wife of the late Harry Bean, who was chair of the Belknap County Delegation and a representative from Gilford, when he died in February.

“I know Priscilla personally, and she is a very hard worker,” Collins said. “She’s lived here her whole life. I know she has the Gilford community as a first priority.”

Gelotte was with her daughter, Dianne Gelotte, who have both lived in Gilford since the '70s. Dianne, who said she is a “MAGA” supporter who always votes, said it has been an honor to be inspired by such a great woman like her mother.

They said they support Bean for state representative.

Republican candidate Bob Binda, who is running for a seat in the Statehouse, said there were many faces they haven’t seen before, which was a good sign more people are hitting the polls. He believes the independents voting in the primary could be a deciding factor.

“The Republicans are going to vote Republican, but if you look, there’s mostly independents registered,” Binda said.

Donna Antonopoulos, a Lake Shore Road resident, is registered as an undeclared voter, but this election cycle, she took a Democrat ballot. In the state races, she didn’t have any preference on a winner, but supports Chris Pappas for Senate.

“I want this country to get back to some decency and democracy, and what it stands for,” she said. “Right now, I don’t think it’s going in the right direction.”

Tom Drouin voted Republican on Tuesday morning. He recognized most of the names on the ballot, and said he was proud to be practicing his constitutional right to vote.

“If you don’t vote, you don’t have a voice,” Drouin said.

Rep. David Nagel (D-Gilmanton) was standing alongside fellow Democratic state representative candidate Allan Frank, greeting voters as they walked in. While they don’t have a contested race in the Primary Election, Nagel and Frank agreed it was important to talk to the voters about their priorities. The top issues, they said, are housing, education and property taxes.

Nagel said one of his main priorities is healthcare, and the fact that between eight and 10 million people will be without insurance due to changes with Medicare and Medicaid. Not only is this a concern, but the ripple effect on hospitals could be a major issue. He said this is something he doesn’t think many realize, and he hopes to get the word out about it by the General Election.

“It kind of bothers me that they don’t seem to be aware of that, or even think of it as a priority,” Nagel said. “I think it’s people have gotten used to high deductibles and high copays.”

Frank said it was exciting being a part of his first election campaign, and while he didn’t have a barometer of how busy it was, there appeared to be quite a few voters casting ballots, even before 11 a.m.

Fellow Democratic Statehouse candidate Lisa Rivard agreed, saying she was impressed with the turnout.

“It’s nice to see everyone coming out,” Rivard said. “Regardless of how you feel, it’s great to see everybody exercising their civic duty, and having a say is the most important thing.”

Civility among candidates was noticeable outside the polls, with candidates saying they were happy to be able to chat with their neighbors without issue.

“I think it is great for the community, and this sort of unites us,” said Bob McLean, who is running for state representative as a Democrat. “Hopefully, we all realize we are not that far apart, because social media and advertising can be so vicious these days.”

Wood said she is proud of so many people coming to exercise their right to a democracy, and was happy to see everyone acting civil and friendly. Rivard agreed. Despite being separated on two sides by party affiliation, everyone was getting along great.

“I hear it is one of the only polling places where people stand on opposite sides, but everyone seems to be getting along great, which I absolutely love,” Rivard said. “Going forward, I’d love to see bipartisan cooperation.”

Judy Perrier said she was there to vote because “that’s the only way we get to say something.”

“We’ve just got to get together,” Perrier said. “Everything is so divided, and we need candidates who will bring us back together. I am of the older generation, and I think we need some new blood.”