Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Make a sustaining gift today to support local journalism!

Update: Amid Storm-Related Confusion, Sununu Urges Towns Not To Postpone Elections

A "vote here" sign marks the way to the polling place in Nashua, November 4, 2008.
Tracy Lee Carroll, NHPR
A "vote here" sign marks the way to the polling place in Nashua, November 4, 2008.

Updated at 4:30 PM:

After consulting with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General's office and holding a conference call with local election officials Governor Sununu says differences remain over who has the power to decide when an election can be postponed.

Since some towns have already moved to reschedule election day, Sununu says the best course is to let towns decide.

“There is some differing opinions at the state level that that is a valid process for them to take given that there are differing opinions, the best we can do is to strongly recommend that all towns stay open for voting tomorrow. We think that's a very important part of the process. But given those differing opinions I don’t think we are in a position to mandate that towns stay open.”

The Governor blamed part of the confusion on a lack of clarity in state statute, which he says lawmakers should fix. The New Hampshire Municipal Association, which represents cities and towns, says it believes state law gives local officials clear power to postpone elections due to the weather.       

3:30 PM:

A big storm on its way to New Hampshire has caused some confusion about the scheduling of town elections. Local elections for most towns were scheduled Tuesday, the same day the storm is expected.

Some towns rescheduled their elections. But Deputy Secretary of State David Scanlan told WMUR-TV that state laws say the elections have to take place quote - "regardless of the weather."

The Attorney General's office is reviewing the matter.

Related Content

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.