Council endorses consolidating polling places to high school and middle school beginning April 2026 after debate

Election staff Brenda and Brian presented a proposal to reduce the town’s three polling locations to two — Merrimack High School and Merrimack Middle School — citing volunteer shortages, expected voter growth in some precincts and operational efficiencies. The presenters said shifting the St. John Newman precinct into the other two locations would place approximately 13,183 voters at the high school and about 6,929 at the middle school under the proposed map.

Councilors asked about traffic and parking, handicapped access, and whether school buildings would be closed on election days. Staff said they had contacted the school administration and received an initial assurance the schools would be closed or otherwise accommodate elections on scheduled days; councilors asked for formal confirmation. Brennan and Brian estimated the change could save roughly $7,500–$10,000 per election cycle through reduced staffing, police details and duplicated materials.

Some councilors raised concerns about concentrating voters at fewer sites — particularly older voters who rely on nearby parking — and suggested a pilot during a lower-turnout election to work out logistics. Others said recruiting volunteers has become harder and consolidating would improve efficiency. After discussion, Nancy Harrington moved to endorse the high school and middle school as polling locations beginning April 2026; the council voted in favor with the transcript indicating a 4–3 result (four in favor, three opposed). The motion included a friendly reference to applicable charter/RSA sections and an expectation of follow-up coordination with the school district.