Polls opened at 6 a.m. across Manchester as voters went out to choose their candidates in this year’s municipal election.
Here are accounts from Manchester Ink Link Assistant Editor Andy Sylvia as he travels throughout the city.
For information from our voter guide, click here.
Ward 12 – 53 ballots cast as of 6:55 a.m.
Northwest Elementary School had plenty of wind during the first hour of voting, but there were some sign holders outside braving the elements.
One of them was State Representative Steven Kesselring, a Republican State Representative hailing from Ward 12.
Although municipal elections are non-partisan in the Queen City, Kesselring was optimistic on the chances for Republican candidates, saying that over a week of preparation had gone into staging for today’s efforts by the Manchester GOP.
Kesselring felt that the write-in mayoral campaign of Rich Girard would have a minimal impact and as far as he was aware, any lingering animosity within the city’s Republican Committee has been resolved as voters head to the polls.
“I think Rich is going to do what he’s going to do,” said Kesselring. “I think he thinks its better for the party, what he’s doing, but at the end of the day I don’t expect it to change much in terms of turnout.”
Ward 12 Board of School Committee candidates Carlos Gonzalez and Julie Smith were also outside hoping to get one last pitch to voters for their campaigns.
Smith hoped to emphasize her 40 years of experience as a teacher, including 29 in Manchester while Carlos hoped to build on progress made over his three prior terms on the board.
Despite the wind, Gonzalez thought that today would, and should, see good voter turnout across the city.
“This is democracy at its best, please don’t throw it out the windows, make sure you use it. This is the only country in the world where you can say with clarity and affirmation that your vote does count,” he said.
Ward 11 – 88 ballots cast as of 7:29 a.m.
If just to prove that the entire West Side was windy, the blustery conditions could also been seen at Gossler Park during the early morning hours.
Like Gonzalez, incumbent Ward 11 Alderman Norm Vincent was rooting for a strong turnout despite predictions of limited voter interest ahead of Election Day.
“I think people are going to come out and vote about their concerns today and I hope we get the turnout that we’re looking for,” said Vincent. “A lot of people are saying that there is going to be low turnout. I think it will certainly be better (than people expect).”
Vincent is facing off against first time candidate Lawrence Bryant also hoped for a strong turnout and felt that Democrats across the city would have a strong showing.
“I think the general sense around the West Side is that we’ve been neglected, so I’d like to do what I can to change that, make people feel like they have more representation on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and make people feel like we are working to address their concerns as much as possible,” said Bryant. “I think (Democrats) across the city have put in a good effort to let people know who the candidates are and what they stand for and now it’s in the hands of the voters.”
Ward 10 – 194 ballots cast as of 8:10 a.m.
State Representative Heath Howard (D-Durham) was outside the polls holding signs for Democratic candidates, one of several stops today across New Hampshire’s First Congressional District.
Howard is one of several candidates seeking to succeed Manchester Democrat Chris Pappas, as Pappas is running for the U.S. Senate following the retirement announcement of Jeanne Shaheen (D-Madbury).
“I am just trying to get out and help (candidates) in many of these communities and make sure that we elect some strong leaders,” he said.
Like in Ward 11, the two candidates for Aldermen were also outside the pools looking to talk to any voters seeking last minute information.
Both candidates have heard from Ward 10 voters that investing in infrastructure is important, but they differed on whether the proposed skate park at Wolfe Park should be included in that investment.
Barry recently defended the project at a Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting after multiple community meetings to garner feedback for the project, which would replace a former skate park at Sheehan-Basquil Park.
“I’ve heard very few, if any, people saying anything negative about it,” said Barry. “The positivity has been non-partisan. It’s something that the West Side and the city needs and it’s something we need to move forward on.”
Challenger Robert Rivera felt that existing parks should receive the funding allocated for the new project, adding that the reduction of crime, lower taxes and improving education also would be a priority if he were elected.
“I love skate parks and I am in favor of skate parks, but we must be using our city funds judiciously,” he said.
Ward 3 – 322 ballots cast as of 10:06 a.m.
Manchester’s downtown ward was one of three with a sitting Alderman not seeking re-election. The two candidates seeking to replace outgoing Ward 3 Alderman Pat Long, Avery Cyr and Dana Dexter, have been endorsed by the Manchester City Democratic Committee.
Cyr arrived at the polls at 3:30 a.m. and said that he had several people indicate that they would vote for him and others indicate that they would vote for Dexter. He said that if elected, his main priorities would be addressing homelessness, properly funding public schools to keep class sizes under 30, and lowering housing costs. While Cyr believes he would support the proposed zoning ordinance rewrite, he needs more time to examine it before he could fully support the initiative.
Dexter said that the primary issues he’s heard from Ward 3 residents has been repairing sidewalks and other infrastructure while also helping the city’s homeless population.
The two candidates for Board of School Committee were also outside the polls in what was another race for an open seat. Cali Rojas indicated the primary concerns that she’s heard from voters in regard to the school district include stopping bullying, keeping the school district budget under control, and improving test scores. Her opponent, Sarah Georges, said the voters are telling her that they are concerned about safety issues, helping students retain knowledge and helping teachers improve engagement among students.
Mayoral candidate Jess Spillers also stopped by during the 10 o’clock hour, following trips to Wards 8, 1 and 4 prior to Ward 3. She said turnout has appeared high throughout the city and felt optimistic about her chances along with the chances of other Democrats in the city,.
“I think (all the Democrats) have worked their butts off and have done phenomenal work on their campaigns,” she said.
Ward 1 – 1,178 ballots cast as of 11:01 a.m.
Like Ward 3, Ward 1 will also see a new Alderman next January and also had two Democrats running for the seat.
Planning Board chair Bryce Kaw-uh said that he was optimistic given that the turnout had already surpassed the approximate 10 percent turnout during the primary and could potentially surpass the 13-15 percent turnout figure estimated by the City Clerk.
Kaw-uh stated that he hopes the residents of Ward 1 have their voices heard regarding the sale of the Sununu Youth Detention Center property, which is located in Ward 1. He added that he hopes the city can place a bid for the property. He also said that residents had expressed concerns about roads and sidewalks and hopes to fully fund the Department of Public Works budget if he is elected.
“We talk about fully funding the police, we talk about fully funding the fire department. Those are important things. But we also need to fully fund the Department of Public works and make sure that we have safe roads to drive on and sidewalks that are taken care of,” he said.
Alan Raff, a member of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO, was holding a sign for Kaw-uh’s opponent, former Ward 1 Alderman Kevin Cavanaugh.
“(Cavanaugh) is a person who cares about the community, knows the community and is willing to work with anybody who cares about the community as much as he does,” said Raff.
Unfortunately, there was not additional time on Election Day to produce updates from the other wards. Brief updates can be found on the Manchester Ink Link Facebook page for Wards 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
Results gathered by the Manchester City Clerk’s Office can be found here and here.
The following individuals and groups provided comment to Manchester Ink Link following the results released on Election Night.
Ward 1 Alderman-elect Bryce Kaw-uh
For everyone in Ward 1, I want to make clear – regardless of your party or how you voted, I am committed to working for you. I also want to thank Kevin Cavanaugh for a spirited campaign. We’ve all benefitted from Kevin’s years of service to our city and I know he’ll continue to be a committed advocate for working people.
I look forward to serving Ward 1 to the best of my ability. I know we can build a better Manchester for all of us, as long as we take the initiative and work together.
Please reach out anytime you have concerns, questions, or ideas for how we can move our community forward. Because while this campaign may be over, our work is only beginning!
Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais
“I want to thank Committee Member Jessica Spillers for her continued commitment to the city we both love, and wish her all the best moving forward. I am deeply humbled by the support we received today, and wish to thank the City of Manchester for placing their trust in us to lead our incredible city for another two years. It has been an honor and privilege to serve as Mayor, and I look forward to seeing the results we can achieve together in our second term.
From the day I was sworn in, our goal has remained consistent: to make Manchester the best mid-sized city in America. We have embraced the principle of working together to achieve positive results, and as a result, we are closer than ever to turning this dream into a reality. While we have made progress, we know more work remains, and I look forward to completing the work of this term, and working with the incoming Board of Aldermen, and Board of School Committee to continue moving Manchester forward.”
Alderman At-Large Joseph Kelly Levasseur
Ruais is a disgrace! I knew we were in trouble when Ruais intentionally refused to deliver on the promises he made to the republicans that first got him elected. Instead of fulfilling his promises the chameleon sided with democrats plan for massive debt for schools, high tax rates and a new homeless shelter that will be paid by Manchesters taxpayers for infinity. The school board doesn’t have one republican on it, and the BMA has only five of which two are very weak. BlueJay shall go down in Manchesters history as its biggest liar and fraud.
New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley
“I’d like to congratulate our fantastic slate of Democratic candidates across New Hampshire who won hard-fought municipal elections. We are thrilled to have sent a majority to the board of aldermen in Manchester and Nashua, swept the board of school committee in Manchester, Nashua, and Portsmouth, flipped the Rochester Mayoral seat to send Chuck Grassie to City Hall, reelected every Democratic incumbent Mayor, along with a list of so many other wins across the state.
“Democrats had incredible victories here in New Hampshire and across the country. Granite Staters made it clear that they are tired of the Republican chaos. We are exactly one year out from the midterm elections, and these wins signal that next year, there is going to be a reckoning for Republicans like John Sununu, Scott Brown, and Kelly Ayotte who have put their loyalty to Donald Trump and wealthy corporate special interests over the people of New Hampshire. We’re standing up to the greed and corruption of the Republican Party and fighting back with ideas that make people’s everyday lives more affordable. Tonight we celebrate, tomorrow we get back to work.”