Town Ready for New Voter ID Election Regs

Hampton Town Clerk Jane Marzinzik said she and other area town clerks are "trying to get the word out as much as [they] possibly can" to help make the upcoming Nov. 6 general smooth despite a high anticipated turnout and new voter identification laws.

Marzinzik said September's New Hampshire primary had few hiccups, although she said she expects a significantly higher general election turnout than the 2,358 ballots cast during the primary, which means she also expects the number of voters who couldn't or didn't show an ID — 101 during the primary — and the number of individuals registering to vote for the first time — 44 during the primary — to also rise.

That could potentially mean delays — particularly registration delays — should the turnout be similar to the 2008 presidential election, which had 9,744 total ballots cast and 636 new voter registrations on polling day.

"We expect those [numbers] to be higher," said Marzinzik, who added she and her staff are "ready," though.

As a part of the efforts to make sure her staff and, more importantly, the general public are prepared, Marzinzik has released the following tips and pre-election information to ensure residents don't have problems getting to the polls, registering to vote, or casting their vote:

• A free shuttle bus from the lot behind the Winnacunnet Road fire station will transport voters to Marston School, Hampton's polling location, starting at 6:45 a.m. on Nov. 6. The bus will be available at 6:30 a.m. for poll workers only. The shuttle will run all day for voters and poll workers. If you are able to take the shuttle, please take advantage of this free service because parking at Marston School can be cumbersome if every voter drivers their own vehicle.
• Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
• [Editor's note: North Hampton's polls are at North Hampton School and will be open between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.]
• In order to save time at the polls, please remember your photo ID. If you do not have a photo ID, you will be able to vote, but you will be required to complete a challenged voter affidavit (CVA).
• If you need to register to vote and do not do so at Hampton Town Hall before the end of business on Oct. 26, you can still do so at the polls on Nov. 6, but you will need to visit the supervisors of the checklist FIRST before checking in to vote. You will need to bring a photo ID with your Hampton address (driver's license is easiest) on it. If your Hampton address is not on your driver's license, bring your driver's license along with a piece of mail that you have received at your current Hampton address.
• If you have obtained an absentee ballot: If you plan to return the ballot in person, it must be received at the Town Clerk's Office on or before 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 5. If you are returning it via mail, it must be received in the mail at the Town Clerk's Office on or before election day. Absentee ballots may only be returned by the voter who applied for and obtained the ballot. In addition, absentee ballots may not be accepted at the polls. If you deliver your absentee ballot at the polls on election day, you will be instructed to vote at the polls.
• The Town Clerk's Office will be closed on election day in order to provide more staffing at the polls.

Additional pertinent information about election day can be found here, while recent coverage of some local candidate events can be found here and here.