Voters hit Lakes Region polls early, and often

Around the Big Lake, voters turned out in droves Tuesday, at rates much higher than in the September primary. But long lines didn't deter Lakes Region residents from casting their ballots, motivated by their favorite issues, or candidates.

Laconia

Voters in Laconia Wards 5 and 6 were steadily hitting the polls on Election Day, and whether they were leaning left or right, the common denominator was a feeling this election was as big as they come.

Cody Chambers was outside Ward 5, at Woodland Heights Elementary School, stumping for Republicans, in particular his “buddy” Cody Pfaff, running for state representative. He said someone like Pfaff will be accessible to constituents, and able to make real change, rather than federal candidates they may never meet, other than for a handshake.

“I’m here for real people, and Cody is one of them,” Chambers said.

Chambers said voters turning out appeared to be mostly voting red, but didn't discount Democrats making a push at the polls.

Denise Riley, a Democrat running for Belknap 5 state representative, said the turnout was “heavy.” She started at Ward 6, and there was a line of about 20 people waiting for the polls to open. She also popped into Ward 4, where it was also “quite busy.” She said “affordability is the driver.”

“It’s important, because we need change from the establishment that’s in Concord,” Riley said. “We need a different direction. I mean, there’s a lot of problems under 10 years of Republican control. It’s very important. It’s important for particularly people who are not extremely wealthy.”

Alex Bennett has been volunteering since the primary was over, after getting back from a Merchant Marine ship. Earlier this year, he was on a ship delivering fuel to Diego Garcia, and he said they pulled in “literally hours after the Iranians tried to blow up the island.” His first-hand view has led to his Democratic voting.

“I can’t say I’ve been too happy about the president, because the war started because, you know, he decided to,” Bennett said. “I’m not a fan of people creating situations where I might get blown up.”

Jan Gilbert said she “wouldn’t think of not coming” to the polls, and wants to ensure the country stays under Republican leadership.

“I want us to make sure we do the right thing, and stay Republican,” Gilbert said.

At Ward 5, 483 voters had cast ballots by 1:45 p.m., more than a third of registered voters. Moderator Claire Hebert-Dow said it was the best turnout in recent memory, showing voters want to have a say about the country’s direction.

“I have not seen it this busy, whether it is the presidential election or primary, I’ve never seen such a steady stream of people since 7 a.m.,” she said.

Across the city in Ward 6, at Leavitt Parkhouse, 940 voters had cast ballots around 2 p.m. Moderator Don Basso predicts about 75% to 80% turnout, which aligns with his expectation going in.

“These people care about their state, their town, they’re really engaged,” Basso said.

Rep. Mike Bordes (R-Laconia) is seeking reelection, and when he heard those turnout numbers, he was ecstatic.

“I think it’s sending the message out that people really are about our country,” Bordes, who also serves as Laconia's mayor, said.

He was standing alongside Tim Minor and Pfaff, Republican candidates for state representative who agree affordability is the main issue.

“The homeless situation around the city, and affordability is No. 1,” Minor said.

Jan Curtis was standing with Chris Fay outside the poll holding signs for Democrats. Both spoke about the importance of change.

“We need change from anybody who went along with [Donald] Trump, to new government altogether in the state, particularly in the state,” Curtis said. “We need new Legislature to bring in more revenue so we have strong schools.”

Curtis specifically hopes for Marcia Hayward to be elected, her sister-in-law, and said she is good for the state, and would fight for people so the economy improves. Fay agreed, and said any Democrat on the ticket will do the job right in the Statehouse.

Jim Lowell, a conservative Republican, said “a lot of issues” brought him to the polls. Unlike Curtis and Hayward, he thinks the economy is doing well, even with high gas prices. He thinks that is temporary. Lowell thinks Democrats have gone too far left.

“I’m not a socialist,” Lowell said. “I want our democracy to continue.”

City Councilor Mike Conant (Ward 6) was supporting all Republican candidates, and said the high turnout shows “there’s a message that needs to be sent.”

“The Republicans are doing a great job, and the Democrats are looking at our shortcomings, and trying to capitalize on that,” Conant said. “I think the public sees the truth, and we will be victorious today.”

Belmont

A routine Election Day inspection by New Hampshire Senior Assistant Attorney General Christopher Aslin confirmed everything was moving full speed ahead Tuesday morning at Belmont High School.

“It looks very good,” he said, explaining how the state handles election reviews. He went around the gymnasium with Town Clerk Jennifer Cashman, to oversee stages of the voting process. The Attorney General’s Office "sends out inspectors to all polling stations.”

Nearly 2,000 Belmont residents had ventured out to fulfill their civic duty by 2:30 p.m., many hoping for a real change. According to the Town of Belmont website in July, there are 4,522 registered voters, showing a mid-day voter turnout of 44%.

Keith Henderson, and his wife Simone, were proud to be a part of that percentage.

“My honest opinion is that we’ve come full circle from Revolutionary War times,” he said, explaining how civic participation is at an all-time low. “We need to vote biblical values. When good people have the opportunity to speak up and they do not, their rights are refused. When their votes are gone, there’s no way to get it back.”

The Hendersons are former owners of Annie’s Book Stop in Laconia, and understand the importance of being involved. While Keith wasn’t so sure about voting machines, he was ultimately happy to participate.

“I’d like to see voting machines gone,” he said. “But just like where the rubber meets the road, the ballot is behind the curtain.”

Other voters were equally enthused about the election, motivated by the number of neighbors at the polls, and feeling inspired to see young people voting in droves.

Jasmine Lemay was optimistic, but didn’t want to get her hopes up.

“I’m slightly optimistic, but I’ve been optimistic before, and have been disappointed,” she said. “I’m seeing lots of rights being stripped away, and fear in people I genuinely care about.”

Outside the front doors, stumpers in all races stood waving posters and greeting voters. Candidates included incumbent Sheriff Bill Wright, up for reelection, running unopposed. Also onsite was Sen. Tim Lang (R-Sanbornton), running for reelection, and spotted later that morning in Gilford.

Turning Point PAC volunteers were also onsite, with a canopy at a different school entrance.

Town leaders, including members of the selectboard, were bustling around all morning, helping feed ballots into the machine, answering questions, handing out stickers and catching up with neighbors and friends.

Gilford

By 9:30 a.m., word about Gilford’s high voter turnout had made its way around the Lakes Region to other local election organizers. And by 11 a.m., the number of Gilford voters who showed up to vote was over 1,500 — and growing.

While there were still hours for voters to hit the polls, 24% of Gilford residents were already in and out of the community church gymnasium, their civic responsibility complete, before lunchtime.

The morning rush made for a slightly bottle-necked start to the morning, but local election leaders were pleased with how things were running.

“It was busy. There was a big turnout when we opened at 7,” said Geoffrey Ruggles, assistant moderator. “Everything went fine. It’s just a process.”

Chan Eddy, selectboard chair, staffed the ballot machine, helping voters insert their sheet of paper and happily handing out “I Voted” stickers to celebrate the occasion.

Outside the polls, though, was a different scene.

Parking spaces were few and far between, with vehicles dotting streets and filling the nearby lot at Gilford Public Library. There were skirmishes all over, and in one instance, a woman was observed yelling obscenities at other drivers for not allowing her to back out of her parking space.

That’s when Peter Ellis stepped in to help, rushing to car, and providing guidance for her to safely back out.

That wasn’t the only tension in the parking lot. A nearby canopy distributing literature for Turning Point PAC as part of their “Turnout Tailgate” — a grassroots mobilization effort to help “turn out” the vote — drew ire from passing motorists. In one instance, another female driver recorded a video of the Turnout Tailgate staff while yelling “fascists” at them.

The tabling crew was asked to relocate from the parking lot, to free up space for voters, to Sarah Peck Park. Representatives at Belmont and Gilford Turning Point tables declined to comment, deferring to headquarters.

Requests for information from the national organization were not returned by deadline.

Despite some slight frustrations, Gilford’s high voter turnout was a good sign, and Ruggles was pleased to see it.

“There’s a lot of interest around this election,” he said. “It gets people out and engaged.”

Voters like Jane Ellis were optimistic about the number of people showing up.

“We’re hoping for a good turnout to change the world.”

Meredith

The turnout had already eclipsed the 800-voter mark at 9:45 a.m., and that number was growing by the second. Selectboard Chair Steve Aiken, who was handing out voting stickers, said he’d be happy with a 50% turnout. The way it was looking, that could certainly happen.

“We expected a good turnout, and I actually think this is a little ahead of schedule,” Aiken said.

A steady stream of voters poured into the Meredith Community Center parking lot from the very start, with candidates standing along the perimeter with signs, saying the lines confirmed how big of an election this is.

“Historically, midterms have been the referendum of sitting government. And it’s interesting you don’t get the same turnout you do as the presidential election, but Trump said he was on the ballot, so we’ll see what happens,” Democratic candidate Dean Cascadden said.

Republican Steve Burrows was voting for the future of his newborn son. He cast a ballot for candidates who he thinks can ease gas prices while maintaining a high level of national security.

His party aligns with his religious beliefs, notably being pro-life, but he hopes the party can address “real issues.” He found it comical, but concerning, the naming of a tyrannosaurus rex as the national dinosaur was news, while gas prices have skyrocketed.

Most of all, Burrows wants people to “stop hating each other.” The assassination of Charlie Kirk was tragic, and he thought both parties missed the mark to come together and show national unity.

“The Republican Party needs to do a better job, not use political violence to not spread more hate,” Burrows said. “I also want Democrats to denounce political violence.”

Kathleen Esrich is a Democrat, and was voting blue across the board. She looked at the line of vehicles moving through the parking lot, and said it's clear people are looking for “positive change that has not happened the last two years.”

“Hopefully, we can turn things around, and help the people of New Hampshire, and America,” Esrich said.

Brianna Coyman is voting in her second election, and the 20-year-old resident cast a ballot to affect change for people who are struggling to get by. She came mainly for the federal races, and to support Cinde Warmington for governor, and also did her research, to vote in other races.

Stuart Bushnell is her grandfather, and was happy to say she convinced him to get to the polls. He was glad he did, as he caught up with an old friend, and voted.

“I voted all Democrat,” Bushnell said. “My buddy in Laconia is voting all Republican, and I’ve got to cancel him out. It’s all a game.”

Each candidate for state representative was outside with a sign, with Republicans Scott Wallace and Rep. Matt Coker (R-Meredith) standing side by side, and Democrats Seth Wheeler and Cascadden doing the same.

“This is crucial,” Wallace said. “We’ve got to keep everything the American way, not the socialist way.”

Coker said it is an “energized midterm,” and turnout was an indication of “the end of an era.”

“I think the Trump era is coming to an end,” Coker said. “It’s going to be very interesting to see what it looks like. I think there’s a jump ball for both parties right now. I think both parties will look very different in another six years, and I think this is kind of where the wave is cresting over.”

Rhetta Colon was urging people to vote “no” on NH Constitution question two, about tax caps. As a retired teacher, she knows the question limits school funding, and bigger problems with school funding need to be addressed. Colon recognizes the huge disparity of how schools are funded from town to town.

“Anything that helps us look at the bigger issue, and finally make some rational decision would be helpful to the kids,” Colon said. “Public education is one of the big successes of this country, and we’re fragmenting it. We’re undermining it. We need to stop doing that.”

Wheeler said dozens of people were in line when the polls opened, and it hadn’t let up at all.

“I think a lot of this is a protest vote against what’s happening federally and locally,” Wheeler said. “I’ve been knocking on doors, and I’m meeting people of all political persuasions who are universally sick of what they’re saying, and they want a change in leadership. I think it’s finally a chance for Democrats to make some headway in the state.”