October 23 Newsletter: Oyster River Dems

Three Star-Studded Canvass Kickoffs on Saturday

Organize NH is hosting three special Get Out the Vote canvass launches on Saturday, October 24. After a brief meet-and-greet and rallying talks by guest hosts, volunteers will knock on the doors of Democratic-leaning voters and encourage them to make a plan to vote.

Prefer not to use Mobilize? Email Emily Rotondi at erotondi@organizeNH.org.

Vote NO on Question 2

School Board update: On Wednesday, October 21, the Oyster River School Board held a public hearing on HB 1300, the state law that put Question 2 on our November 3 ballot. You can watch the recording on the school district’s HB 1300 page or on the Oyster River Dems explainer page.

At its regular meeting right after the hearing, the board passed a motion stating that the Oyster River School Board does not support Question 2.

But you won’t see the board’s position on the ballot. Question 2 came from the legislature, not the normal local school district deliberative process, so the board’s position cannot appear there. Election laws also prevent the board and our schools from electioneering about it.

That means it’s up to ALL OF US to educate others about this confusing, misleading, and harmful question.

Every NO vote counts. Question 2 needs 60% to pass. It CAN be defeated, but only if voters know what it is. Many busy parents juggling work, school pickups, and practices may not have heard about it yet. They are the people we most need to reach.

Here’s how you can help:

• Parents, talk with each other at the bus stop, at practice, or at pickup.
• Talk to, text, or email friends and neighbors, including those with school-age kids.
• Make your own VOTE NO ON 2 sign. It’s a fun family project! We have only a small number of signs, so you are encouraged to create your own.
• Share this newsletter, the school district’s page, and our explainer page.

Know Before You Vote: Oyster River Dems Voter Guide

The November 3 ballot is a long one, with races from Governor down to State Rep, plus ballot questions. Our new Voter Guide puts everything you need in one place, so you can walk into the polls ready.

Inside the guide:

• Sample ballots for Durham, Lee, and Madbury, so you can see exactly what you’ll be voting on
• Information about the candidates in each race
• Other useful information for Election Day

View the Voter Guide

Share it! Forward this to friends and neighbors, post it in your town Facebook groups, and pass it along to busy parents and new voters who may not know what’s on the ballot. A voter who knows the ballot is a voter who shows up.

Supreme Court Lets NH Ban Student IDs at the Polls

Yesterday, Thursday, October 22, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed New Hampshire to fully ban student IDs at the polls for the November 3 election. UNH students cannot use their UNH ID to register or to get a ballot, not even as backup proof of identity.

This comes from HB 323, which Republicans in Concord passed this spring and Gov. Ayotte signed. The law dropped student IDs from the list of accepted voter IDs. Secretary of State David Scanlan then issued guidance going further, saying student IDs couldn’t be used for any purpose. A federal judge found that guidance went beyond the law and blocked it. Scanlan and Attorney General John Formella appealed to the Supreme Court, with backing from the Republican National Committee. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was the lone dissenter.

The Court didn’t rule that the ban is fair: it ruled that it was too close to Election Day to change the rules. For UNH students without a government ID, the result is the same: their student ID won’t get them a ballot.

Here’s how you can help. Many of us have UNH students as neighbors, students, tenants, coworkers, or family. Please make sure they know what to bring on November 3.

Make no mistake: this was a choice. Republicans in Concord wrote this law, Gov. Ayotte signed it, and Republican officials fought all the way to the Supreme Court to enforce it as broadly as possible, with the national Republican Party cheering them on. They are betting that students will be confused, turned away, or simply stay home.

The answer is at the ballot box. In New Hampshire, the Legislature elects the Secretary of State and the Governor appoints the Attorney General. Who we send to Concord on November 3 decides who writes our voting laws and who enforces them. Elect Cinde Warmington for Governor and Democrats up and down the ballot, from the State House to the Executive Council, and we can restore the freedom to vote for every eligible Granite Stater.

Please forward this, text a student you know, and share our social media posts. They’re counting on students staying home. Let’s help prove them wrong.

Register to Vote by Monday, October 26, or at the Polls

Before Election Day: Durham residents can register or update their registration at the Town Clerk’s office whenever it’s open, through Monday, October 26 (closed Wednesdays). Registration closes after the evening session on October 26 and reopens on Election Day.

Lee and Madbury residents: Check with your town clerk for the last day to register before Election Day, or register at the polls.

On Election Day: Voters can register at the polls on Tuesday, November 3.

Not sure if you’re registered? Check at https://app.sos.nh.gov/viphome

How to register: See the Secretary of State’s guide at sos.nh.gov/elections/register-vote.

Turning 18? You can register now if you’ll be 18 before or on November 3.

Questions? Call or visit your Town Clerk

Durham Needs Election Day Volunteers

The Town of Durham is looking for volunteers to help the State General Election run smoothly on Tuesday, November 3. It’s a great way to give back to the community and see our local democracy at work.

Who can volunteer:

• Durham residents who are registered voters
• Oyster River High School students, who can earn community service hours

Interested? Email Rachel Deane at rdeane@ci.durham.nh.us for details.

If you’re a parent of an ORHS student, please pass this along. It’s a meaningful way for young people to see up close how elections work.