D. Chandronnait: Why do they announce party affiliation at Ward 3 poll

To The Daily Sun,

It is voting time and I am once more curious about the practice of stating out loud, one’s party affiliation (or “undeclared” choice) on voting day, while being handed a color-coded party ballot as well; a pink ballot for Republican votes and a blue ballot for Democratic votes, respectively.

For sake of reference, I vote at the Ward 3 location at Laconia Middle School. This practice has been the subject of past and more recent conversations with both out-of-state family members and also some local, but out-of-town voting friends or family. (The general consensus of both parties is that this should not be taking place.)

As we voters know, the process is to enter and upon showing valid proof of I.D. to vote, one’s name and address is verified and checked off the list and then we are given a ballot. At the Ward 3 polling location, the practice has always been to hand you the aforementioned, colored ballot while the person verifying the checklist states your first and last name and then your party affiliation out loud. My curiosity is whether or not all Laconia polling locations follow the same protocol and also if this is the case for our fellow, Belknap County residents/area cities and towns as well? Clarification of the history or protocol that this long–running practice follows would be of interest.

Thank you to all of you that help at the polls and behind the scenes when the polls close. Mrs. Chandler, Mr. Stamps, Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Wood, a local law enforcement officer just to name a few.

D. Chandronnait

Laconia