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Town moderator outlines March 11 election logistics and voter ID changes
Summary
Town moderator Bob Harvey briefed the Board of Selectmen on March 11 election logistics: polls will be open 7 a.m.–7 p.m. at the Fish and Game building, machine testing is scheduled, ballots run six pages and voters must bring photo ID under a new law.
Bob Harvey, Plaistow’s town moderator, told the Board of Selectmen the town election will be held March 11 at the Fish and Game building with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. He urged voters to review the warrant and voters’ guide in advance because the ballot is six pages (front and back) and could slow processing.
Harvey said the town will test ballot machines the day before the election at 2 p.m. at Town Hall and invited the public to observe. He said all three voting machines in town will be active on Election Day to shorten lines. Voters were reminded that ballots will be segregated into separate sealed boxes by type (school, officials, warrant articles) to simplify any recounts.
Explaining a recent change to voting rules, Harvey said: “The new law says that you need to make sure you bring your photo identification with you to get your ballot.” He added that the law also tightened requirements for same-day voter registration: people registering at the polls must bring documentation proving identity, citizenship, age and domicile; without the required documents, town staff cannot complete day-of registration.
Harvey said the town typically sees about 1,100–1,200 voters at town elections and that counters will begin tallying ballots at about 7:15 p.m. after machines are taken down. He asked for volunteers to help with counting and with ballot clerking; the town will take names of citizens who wish to assist.
Harvey also noted the junior firefighters’ bake sale will be located at the exit so that voters can purchase items after casting ballots, and he asked town staff to post clear information (including a link to the Secretary of State’s guidance) about what documents are needed for day-of registration. He encouraged residents to attend a candidate forum at the library the night before the election and reminded the board that the polls historically draw a full day of staffing.
The moderator and checklist supervisors also said they would divide check-in tables to distribute workload and that signs and staffing plans are in place to help manage voter flow.
