Voters hit Lakes Region polls early and often

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 post-vote 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 their signs saying it confirms 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,” said Democratic candidate Dean Cascadden.

Republican Steve Burrows was voting for the future of his newborn son. He was voting for candidates who 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, that 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 felt that 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 is clear that 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 was voting for people who are struggling to get by. She came mainly for the federal races, and to support Cinde Warmington for governor, but 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 happy he did, as he caught up with an old friend, and was able to vote.

“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 Matt Coker 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 the 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 question two. As a retired teacher, she knows this 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.”