Local residents came out in droves for Tuesday’s election

Jennifer Adams, left, and Louise Ewing across from Antrim Town Hall on Election Day. 

Jennifer Adams, left, and Louise Ewing across from Antrim Town Hall on Election Day.  COURTESY PHOTO 

State Rep. Jim Creighton, left, and Jennifer Adams of the Antrim Democrats in downtown Antrim on Tuesday.

State Rep. Jim Creighton, left, and Jennifer Adams of the Antrim Democrats in downtown Antrim on Tuesday. COURTESY PHOTO

Peterborough voters saw long lines most of the day during Tuesday’s presidential election. 

Peterborough voters saw long lines most of the day during Tuesday’s presidential election.  STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

The polls at the Peterborough Community Center didn’t see a lull until mid-afternoon Tuesday. 

The polls at the Peterborough Community Center didn’t see a lull until mid-afternoon Tuesday.  STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

Democratic candidate for state representative Marjorie Porter, left, with volunteers Dave Beck and Doreen Robertson in Bennington. 

Democratic candidate for state representative Marjorie Porter, left, with volunteers Dave Beck and Doreen Robertson in Bennington.  STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

Supporters of Donald Trump outside the Francestown Town Hall Tuesday afternoon.

Supporters of Donald Trump outside the Francestown Town Hall Tuesday afternoon. STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

Antrim Town Hall in a quieter moment during Tuesday’s  election.

Antrim Town Hall in a quieter moment during Tuesday’s  election. STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

Voters and election officials in Francestown Town Hall. 

Voters and election officials in Francestown Town Hall.  STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

Voters lined up at Antrim Town Hall. 

Voters lined up at Antrim Town Hall.  STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

Bennington election volunteer Hieu Turner, left, and Supervisors of the Checklist Walter Turner, center, and Melissa Searles, right, upstairs at the Bennington Town Hall.

Bennington election volunteer Hieu Turner, left, and Supervisors of the Checklist Walter Turner, center, and Melissa Searles, right, upstairs at the Bennington Town Hall. STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

Francestown voters were directed with handwritten signs at the Town Hall. 

Francestown voters were directed with handwritten signs at the Town Hall.  STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

A mid-afternoon lull in the lines at the Peterborough Community Center. 

A mid-afternoon lull in the lines at the Peterborough Community Center.  STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

Democrats and Republicans share the lawn at Greenfield Elementary School. 

Democrats and Republicans share the lawn at Greenfield Elementary School.  STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

Charlie Post holds signs in Lyndeborough.

Charlie Post holds signs in Lyndeborough. —PHOTO BY KATHLEEN BAGLIO HUMPHREYS

Moderator Walter Holland drops a ballot into the box in Lyndeborough.

Moderator Walter Holland drops a ballot into the box in Lyndeborough. PHOTO BY KATHLEEN BAGLIO HUMPHREYS

Supporters hold signs and flags for their candidates in Lyndeborough.

Supporters hold signs and flags for their candidates in Lyndeborough. —PHOTO BY KATHLEEN BAGLIO HUMPHREYS

Hannah Bissex and Deni Dickler campaign at the polls in Rindge on Tuesday.

Hannah Bissex and Deni Dickler campaign at the polls in Rindge on Tuesday. STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI—

Jed Brummer of Rindge speaks outside the Rindge elections.

Jed Brummer of Rindge speaks outside the Rindge elections. STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI—

Shane Sirois campaigns for state representative outside the polls in New Ipswich.

Shane Sirois campaigns for state representative outside the polls in New Ipswich. STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI—

Larry Cleveland, Michelle Cleveland, Jennie Aho, Dave Dinicola and Steve Mantha campaign for Donald Trump at the entrance to the polls in Rindge.

Larry Cleveland, Michelle Cleveland, Jennie Aho, Dave Dinicola and Steve Mantha campaign for Donald Trump at the entrance to the polls in Rindge. STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI—

Jennifer Bernet and Michael Pellerito campaign for state representative seats outside of the polls in New Ipswich.

Jennifer Bernet and Michael Pellerito campaign for state representative seats outside of the polls in New Ipswich. STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI—

Voting stalls fill the back half of the Mascenic Regional High School gymnasium in New Ipswich.

Voting stalls fill the back half of the Mascenic Regional High School gymnasium in New Ipswich. STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI—

Residents line up to vote in the Mascenic Regional High School in New Ipswich gymnasium on Tuesday.

Residents line up to vote in the Mascenic Regional High School in New Ipswich gymnasium on Tuesday. STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI—

Deborah Brissette, John Lewicke, and Ryan Pauer campaign for candidates on the Republican ticket at the Mason polls.

Deborah Brissette, John Lewicke, and Ryan Pauer campaign for candidates on the Republican ticket at the Mason polls. STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI—

John Lawlor of Dublin chats with volunteers after he voted. 

John Lawlor of Dublin chats with volunteers after he voted.  —STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN

Nancy Cayford held signs early on election day in Dublin.

Nancy Cayford held signs early on election day in Dublin. —STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN

Hancock voter Kate Shaffer after she voted. 

Hancock voter Kate Shaffer after she voted.  —STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN

From left, Mark Rohleder, Laura Lynch and Pete Von Sneidern offer treats to voters in Temple.

From left, Mark Rohleder, Laura Lynch and Pete Von Sneidern offer treats to voters in Temple. —STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN

Wayne Colsia of Lyndeborough on his way into Citizens’ Hall. 

Wayne Colsia of Lyndeborough on his way into Citizens’ Hall.  —STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN

Michael Pellerito holds signs in Wilton in support of Democrats.

Michael Pellerito holds signs in Wilton in support of Democrats. —STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN

Don Burgess heads into the polls in Sharon. 

Don Burgess heads into the polls in Sharon.  —STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN

Kathy Schongan of Peterborough said she was outside the polls there for more than 10 hours Tuesday. 

Kathy Schongan of Peterborough said she was outside the polls there for more than 10 hours Tuesday.  —STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN

Kristina Aho after casting her vote in Sharon. 

Kristina Aho after casting her vote in Sharon.  —STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN

Cecelia and Richard Sullivan at the polls in Peterborough. For Richard, 81, it was his first time voting. According to Cecelia, it was her first time voting since 1969.

Cecelia and Richard Sullivan at the polls in Peterborough. For Richard, 81, it was his first time voting. According to Cecelia, it was her first time voting since 1969. PHOTO BY DEB BUXTON

STAFF REPORTS

Monadnock Ledger-Transcript

Published: 11-06-2024 2:28 PM

Modified: 11-08-2024 10:45 AM


Lines were long and clerks kept busy on Election Day Tuesday, as turnout was high around the region.

Rindge Moderator Kirk Stenersen said on Tuesday afternoon that voting had been steadily busy all day.

“It’s been an excellent turnout,” Stenersen said. “If we keep at this pace, it will be a record turnout for Rindge.”

By the end of the day, a total of 3,784 votes had been cast in Rindge, including 284 absentee ballots. Rindge was one of several towns that followed procedure to begin processing absentee ballots two hours after the opening of polls – without additional notice, processing can legally begin at 1 p.m. – to handle the high volume.

Another town that took that approach was New Ipswich, which processed 211 absentee votes over six hours. Moderator Bob Romeril said both absentee ballots and new registrations were high this year, with election officials processing hundreds of both, as well as thousands of already-registered voters.

“People have been voting quickly – they seem to know what they want,” Romeril said. “We’ve seen a range – young people voting for the first time, people in their 60s voting for the first time. People are motivated.”

A total of 3,309 votes were cast in New Ipswich, easily surpassing the 2,141 in 2020 and 2,859 in 2016, Romeril said.

Shane Sirois, campaigning successfully for reelection for state representative for Hillsborough District 32 in New Ipswich, said he was bolstered by the number of voters he saw coming through.

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“It’s that way nationwide,” Sirois said. “It’s an important election.”

In Rindge, Deni Dickler, a Democratic candidate for state representative, said she was also seeing a high turnout, including young voters.

“They seem to be highly engaged. Win or lose, there’s been so much engagement, and so many people talking to each other about the issues, and that’s a strength,” Dickler said.

In Bennington, Gary Hobaica was holding signs for Republican candidates for state representative.

“I love seeing people show up and a part of the process. It’s a beautiful thing to see that,” Hobaica said.

Supervisor of the Checklist Walter Turner, who has been an election official in Bennington since 1994, said that as of noon, Bennington had seen about 40 new voters.

“We had a big rush at 8 a.m. and it has been steady all day,” he said. “As of now we are at about 959 voters (on the checklist), which is a good turnout for Bennington.”

A total of 900 ballots were cast in Bennington.

’I have never seen anything like that’

Antrim Town Hall was busy all day, with many new voter registrations.

“We have had 1,012 voters come through, and it’s not even halftime,” volunteer Tim Morehouse said at around 1:30 p.m.

“In the beginning, there as a line all the way down the stairs, all the way through the Town Hall, out the door and around the block,” said volunteer Helene Newbold. “I have never seen anything like that.”

Morehouse said the atmosphere in Antrim was calm.

“Many of all know each other from Lions Club or serving on different committees in town and we respect one another, so it has been fine today,” Morehouse said. “That’s how it should be.”

In Francestown, volunteer Kevin Pobst said the Meetinghouse had seen a morning rush and been steady all day.

“It’s been peaceful,” he said.

A total of 1,826 ballots were cast in Francestown.

“It’s been pretty smooth,” said Rita Bruder, a greeter at the polls in Hancock. Outside the town’s elementary school, Gary Klar, another greeter, echoed this point.

“People have been very orderly and respectful,” he said.

Exiting Hancock Elementary School, Kate Shaffer explained her vote for president.

“I was a lifelong Republican until 2016,” she said. “(Donald) Trump was my breaking point. I voted straight blue.”

Werner Kanner of Hancock emigrated to the United States from Germany in the 1950s, and voted for Kamala Harris. “Trump’s comments about shooting someone on Fifth Avenue years ago did it for me.”

In Dublin, John Lawlor said, “Solid red,” when asked about his ballot. Nearby, Nancy Cayford held signs for Democratic candidates.

“I believe in democracy,” she said.

Wilton Select Board member Kermit Williams estimated that voter participation in his town could reach 90%.

“We’re well past 1,000, and have 2,800 people on the rolls,” he said just before 1 p.m.

Outside the Wilton Town Hall, Republican State Sen. Jim Kofalt and Democratic House aspirant Michael Pellerito peacefully coexisted under an unseasonably warm November sun. Chief of Police Eric Olesen pointed to a spot 200 feet from the Town Hall entrance.

“People were lined up back to there at 7 a.m,” he said.

Cooper Redding cast his first vote in New Hampshire in Temple Tuesday. He explained his decision in the context of his former job as a police officer in Memphis.

“He created riots,” he said, referring to Trump’s rhetoric. “I had to work those riots. I voted for change.”

Sharon Select Board member Rich Dufresne mentioned seeing some new faces at the polls this time.

“Lots of new registered voters,” he said.

After voting , Kristina Aho said she voted Republican. Asked about the gubernatorial choice, she said. “I like Kelly Ayotte’s values.”

Don Burgess of Sharon said Gov. Chris Sununu’s words mattered to him when he voted for Ayotte.

“I liked Sununu, and he recommended her,” he said.

At the Peterborough Community Center, Holly Allen said she got in line at 9 a.m. and didn’t leave after voting until 10:30.

Outside the Peterborough polls after darkness had fallen, Kathy Schongar said she was out at 6:45 a.m.

“The lines were out to the street in the morning,” she said.

Schongar and state representative candidate Kimberly Thomas suggested that a large cluster of voters with names in the early part of the alphabet contributed to a long line for the A-C check-in table.

Greenfield voters voted at Greenfield Elementary School due to construction scheduled for the Meetinghouse. Supervisor of the Checklist Kathy Seigars said traffic had been steady all day. Supervisor Ellen Sanford noted that Greenfield had a lot of new registrations which had not yet been tallied yet as of around 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Greenfield’s final voter tally was 1,093.

Peterborough’s morning voting rush extended down the block in front of the Peterborough Community Center.

“We had lines out the door all day long. We really didn’t have a lull until now, probably because it is school pickup time,” volunteer Lisa Stone said at around 2:30 p.m.

State Rep. Jonah Wheeler, who won reelection, said he was pleased to see the large turnout.

“We’ll see how it all shakes out,” he said.

Town Clerk Linda Guyette reported that of Peterborough’s 5,701 registered voters, 4,397 voted, with a 77.13% voter turnout.

David Allen, Jesseca Timmons and Ashley Saari contributed to this report.