Merrimack Election Guide 2012

The primary elections are long gone and the winners are facing off in the upcoming elections.

Merrimack Patch has everything you need to know before you vote at Merrimack High School on Nov. 6. The polls are open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Also, don't forget that the voter registration deadline for New Hampshire is Saturday, Oct. 27, though people can register and vote on Election Day in this state.

(Click the names of the candidates to read more information from their profiles)

What To Know Before You Vote

Polling location change (yes, again). ALL Merrimack voters will head to Merrimack High School to cast their ballot on election day. This is a new location for all voters, there are no more precincts and bi-annual November elections only will be held at MHS.

Not going to be in town on Election Day? Here are guidelines from the town website for absentee ballot voting:

New Hampshire law requires that you vote in person at the polling place for your town or ward unless you:

1. Plan to be absent on the day of the election from the city, town, or unincorporated place in which you are registered to vote.
2. Cannot appear in public on election day because of observance of a religious commitment.
3. Are unable to vote in person due to a disability.
4. Cannot appear at any time during polling hours at your polling place because an employment obligation requires you to remain physically at work or to be in transit to or from work from the time the polls open until after the time the polls close.

Absentee ballots can be requested up until 5 p.m. the day before the election.  Ballots can be requested in person, through the mail, or by fax.  Please allow sufficient mailing time if requesting through the mail or fax.  Ballots must be returned either in person by the voter or through the mail.  Ballots returned in person must be delivered by 5:00 PM the day before the election.  Ballots can be accepted in the mail until 5:00 PM on election day.   Requests for absentee ballot should be mailed to: Town Clerk, Attn: Absentee Ballots, 6 Baboosic Lake Rd, Merrimack, NH 03054

For more information regarding elections and voting, please visit the NH Secretary of State's website at: http://sos.nh.gov/Elections.aspx

What you should know about voter ID

Town/Clerk Tax Collector Diane Trippett recently shared the information linked here regarding what you need to know as a voter on Election Day about New Hampshire's Voter ID requirements. Town Clerk Clears Up Voter ID Confusion.

What should you do if you see questionable activity on Election Day? The state has set up a Election Day Voting Hotline.

For a comprehensive look at our stories, letters, blogs, videos and photo galleries relating to the election, check out our Elections tab above or click here.

On the topic of Question 1:

Ballot Question: Amend the Constitution to Ban Income Tax?

VIDEO: Republicans Back Question 1

OP/ED: Vote No on Question #1

OP/ED: Taking A Closer Look at Question 1

OP/ED: Protect Our Constitution: Vote No on Question 1

Races:

President

• Mitt Romney (R)
• Barack Obama (D)
• Gary Johnson (I)

NH Governor

• D-Exeter
• Ovide Lamontagne, R-Manchester
• John Babiarz, Libertarian from Grafton

1st Congressional District

• Frank C. Guinta, R-Manchester
• Carol Shea-Porter, D-Rochester

State Senate District 10

• Peter Bragdon, R-Milford (unopposed)
  

House of Representatives, District 19 (8 seats)

Republican candidates

• Richard Barry
• Dick Hinch
• Jeanine Notter
• Tony Pellegrino
• Lenette M. Peterson
• Phil Straight
• Kathleen Stroud
• Joseph D. Thomas

Democratic candidates

• Evan Fulmer
• Brenda Ellen Grady
• John J. Grady
• Kim Kojak
• Spencer Nozell
• Jody Plante
• Jo Ann Rotast
• Jack Rothman

Hillsborough County Sheriff

James A. Hardy (R)

Bill Barry (D)

Hillsborough County Commissioner

Carol H. Holden (R)

Susan Ladmer (D)

County Attorney

Dennis Hogan (R)

Patricia M. LaFrance (D)

County Treasurer

David G. Fredette (R)

Shannon Bernier (D)

Register of Deeds

Pamela D. Coughlin (R)

Louise Wright (D)

*This Election Guide is being constantly updated and improved. See something we missed or have a news tip? Email: Carolyn.Dube@patch.com.

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