Tuesday, September 2 is the last day before the state primary September 9 for new voters to register, or they can register on primary day at the polls. Registration is made at the town clerk’s office during normal business hours and on September 2 from 7 to 7:30 PM with the Supervisors of the Checklist. To register, new voters need proof of age, domicile and citizenship. A driver’s license, passport or birth certificate is usually acceptable.
On the state primary ballot are candidates for state and county offices, governor and for U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. One can view ballots at the town office building on Edgemont Road and at the High Street post office.
The polls September 9 will be open 8 AM to 7 PM at the Sherburne Gym, Route 11, Sunapee. As of this week Sunapee had 2627 registered voters.
In the primary, “undeclared” voters select a party and that party’s ballot when they vote. Party-affiliated voters automatically receive their party’s ballot and can not change party affiliation before September 9. However, that can be done (after voting) at the polls on primary day.
Following the primary is Election Day, always the first Tuesday in November, and this year November 4.
It was last winter, on January 8, 2008, the Granite State held its 23rd first-in-the-nation presidential primary, a tradition that began in 1920.
The country’s primary system has its roots in the nation’s Progressive movement and with efforts to reform and democratize elections.
New Hampshire began holding primaries for governor and other state offices in 1910. Other states were also experimenting at this time with reforming the nominating process in order to ensure greater participation by the individual voter. — First Stop: The New Hampshire Primary
First Stop was produced by the NH Historical Society in association with the NH Political Library, and available in an audio version from the NH-HS.
For other election-related information, visit the Secretary of State’s Election Division, League of Women Voters and Vote Smart.
Filed under: Announcements, Government, Politics & Public Policy Tagged: | Politics & Public Policy
