Rochester special election: Grassie vs. Walker first test for new NH voting law

ROCHESTER — A new election law brings a small change to the way people vote in New Hampshire, and a special election in the city's Ward 4 on Tuesday, Feb. 21, will serve as its first test.

City Clerk Kelly Walters said she and Cassie Givara, deputy city clerk, have been training with staff from the New Hampshire Secretary of State's office to get ready. The change affects only voters registering to vote in the state for the first time on Election Day who don't bring a valid photo ID.

Incumbent Democratic state Rep. Chuck Grassie and Republican challenger David Walker will compete in the special election because they tied in the November 2022 election after a recount. They each received 970 votes for the New Hampshire House seat representing Strafford County District 8 in Rochester's Ward 4. The winner on Tuesday will claim the seat, weeks after the rest of the 400-member House began the legislative session.

Walker, a former Rochester mayor, and Grassie both have a long history of holding elected offices in the city. Here's a look at the new law and what to expect in the special election:

When and where is the Rochester Ward 4 special election voting?

The special election will be held from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21 at McClelland School at 59 Brock St. Only residents of Rochester's Ward 4 are eligible to vote. The Grassie vs. Ward contest is the only race on the ballot.

What is the new NH Senate Bill 418 voting law?

The new law will not affect you if you are already registered to vote in New Hampshire, or if you register on Election Day and present a valid photo ID, according to the city clerk's office and the secretary of state.

The law only comes into play if you register on Election Day without a photo ID.

The law, which took effect Jan. 1, requires in-person voters registering in New Hampshire for the first time who are unable to prove their identity on Election Day to use a ballot marked as an "Affidavit Ballot." The voter is then asked to submit proof of identity to the secretary of state within seven days after the election. If they do not, the affidavit ballot is removed and the votes on that ballot are deducted from results.

Could the new law result in a delayed result of Walker vs. Grassie race?

Givara said the city clerk's office expects to able to announce a winner Tuesday night. They do not anticipate a large number of affidavit ballots.

"This election even occurring at all shows how tight the race was to begin with, but hopefully there will be a clear winner after this Election Day," she said. "These affidavit ballots, if there are any at all, would only affect the outcome if it was an extremely close race, the identity verification process wasn’t completed through the secretary of state’s office, and a vote or votes were then subsequently deducted from the election night total. However, I think that is a very unlikely scenario."

What will happen with any affidavit ballots?

"The affidavit ballots will be marked with a number and will not be read by the machine," Givara said. "They will be placed in the side pocket and hand counted at the end of the evening. If the voter filling out an affidavit ballot does not provide the (secretary of state's) office with their documentation within the designated period (seven days) following the election, the city clerk's office will be notified and we will hold a public session to recount the affidavit ballots and to remove the ballot in question. We will then amend the election paperwork to account for the deduction of vote(s)."

Grassie and Walker on top issues in Rochester Ward 4 state rep. race

We asked both candidates: What do you see as the most important issue facing Rochester right now?

Grassie said there are many issues, but chose education, raising concern for Rochester schools.

"Our school system is hurt by the way the state is funding education," he said. "We need more money to address an adequate education. We have good schools and great programs but we serve as training grounds for great teachers who leave here for richer districts that can pay them more."

Grassie said the Democrats have a better proposal, basing funding on free and reduced lunch. He said the formula approved by the Republicans is based more on property values and assessments, denying money that should come to Rochester.

Walker said inflation is the biggest concern right now for his constituents.

"The price of oil and food are what people are having a hard time with right now," Walker said. "We need to get state and local government out of the way and get people help. The new state program to help with fuel is doing some good. If I get elected, I want to look at more ways we can help right now."

What are Grassie and Walker telling voters about the new affidavit ballot law?

"I am telling them to bring verifiable identification, preferably a driver's license," Walker said. "This is new, and we will see how it plays out on Tuesday."

"The main thing I am saying is make sure you go to the polls, or to register to vote, with a photo identification, and proof of residency," Grassie said.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Rochester NH special election first for NH affidavit ballot voting law