Walk this Sunday to Inform Voters About Absentee Voting

PORTSMOUTH—Recent COVID-19 accommodations by New Hampshire's Secretary of State and Attorney General allow for voters to use an absentee ballot for the Sept. 8 state primary and Nov. 3 general elections. The problem is, most voters don't know that's an option.

Sunday, July 5, volunteers with Open Democracy, a New Hampshire nonprofit which works on voting rights, money-in-politics and campaign finance reform, will be holding signs in and around Portsmouth to help spread the word, and will even have absentee ballot applications for anyone who wants one. All volunteers holding signs will be socially distanced and be wearing masks. Anyone wishing to help hold signs may meet for instructions at 2 p.m. Sunday at Lafayette Plaza, 775 Lafayette Rd, then be dispersed to other locations around the city.

For Immediate Release

For more information, contact Brian Beihl, Deputy Director, Open Democracy

Event Date & Time, Sunday, July 5, 2 p.m.- 4 p.m

Event web page: https://www.opendemocracynh.org/2020_seacoast_walk

Walk this Sunday to Inform Voters About Absentee Voting

PORTSMOUTH—Recent COVID-19 accommodations by New Hampshire's Secretary of State and Attorney General allow for voters to use an absentee ballot for the Sept. 8 state primary and Nov. 3 general elections. The problem is, most voters don't know that's an option.

Sunday, July 5, volunteers with Open Democracy, a New Hampshire nonprofit which works on voting rights, money-in-politics and campaign finance reform, will be holding signs in and around Portsmouth to help spread the word, and will even have absentee ballot applications for anyone who wants one. All volunteers holding signs will be socially distanced and be wearing masks. Anyone wishing to help hold signs may meet for instructions at 2 p.m. Sunday at Lafayette Plaza, 775 Lafayette Rd, then be dispersed to other locations around the city.

Olivia Zink, executive director of Open Democracy, says that while the group still supports in-person voting at the polls, voting by absentee ballot this fall will save lives. “Voting by absentee ballot isn't just about you,” she said. “It's about keeping your family safe and not bringing COVID-19 back to your home, a family member of whom may be immune compromised. It's also about reducing the numbers of in-person voters which will lessen the exposure to our poll workers, most of whom are over 60,” she said.

Statistics show that nationally, about 12% of voters have ever voted absentee, though in New Hampshire, the absentee ballot rate is typically 7-10% for each election, according the NH SOS. Secretaries of State around the country are estimating that absentee ballots and voting by mail will account for 50% of all ballots cast in 2020.

Why should voters be thinking in July about requesting an absentee ballot from their town or city clerk? Olivia Zink says that requesting an absentee ballot application early helps prevent our local election officials benign overwhelmed right before the election. “We have seen in other states that’s waiting to request your ballot, has cause processing delays. Delays which could keep you from getting your ballot sent to you on time,” Zink said. “Don't wait, if you are planning to vote, request one ballot for September and another for November right now, she said.”

To apply for an absentee ballot, download a PDF absentee ballot application from your city or town website, fill it out completely and check “disability” as a reason for requesting a ballot, per the direction of the Secretary of State's office. Sign it in ink, and mail it back to your clerk's office. You can also download an application at SOS.NH.GOV. At the moment, you need one application for the September primary, and another for November. Your ballot will be sent to you by your clerk's office about 3-5 weeks prior to election day. Links to applications and additional instructions on absentee ballot voting can be found at OpenDemocracyNH.org/absentee.

Tuesday, the NH legislature passed HB 1266, which would add a check box to that application, specifying “Concerns with COVID-19” instead of disability, and allowing one form to be used for both elections. Governor Sununu is expected to sign that bill, but it may be weeks before the new form is available for distribution.

For more information, or instructions on volunteering to hold signs on Sunday, contact Brian at Open Democracy at 603-620-8300.

###

Photo illustration caption:

A walk and signholding event to remind voters they can vote by absentee ballot will be held this Sunday, 2 p.m, meeting at Lafayette Plaza, 775 Lafayette Rd, Portsmouth. The nonpartisan group Open Democracy is promoting the New Hampshire's Secretary of State and Attorney General's decision to allow voting from home by absentee ballot for anyone concerned with COVID-19, both to to keep both voters and poll workers safe.