Voters guide to the Rochester 2023 election: When, where and who is on the ballot
ROCHESTER — The 2023 city election is Tuesday, Nov. 7, when voters will choose the mayor, city councilors, School Board members and Police Commission members, and whether to allow sportsbook gambling.
Here's your guide to everything you need to know about the city election, which is held every two years.
Read on to find key information on voting and the views of candidates in the Rochester election.
When are the polls open in Rochester?
The polls will be open in Rochester from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Where do I vote in Rochester?
Voting locations for Rochester residents are determined by the ward in which they live. To find your ward by street address, go to rochesternh.gov/city-clerk/pages/find-my-ward-by-street-address or call the city clerk at (603) 332-2130.
Ward 1: East Rochester Elementary School, 773 Portland St.
Ward 2: Chamberlain Street School, 65 Chamberlain St.
Ward 3: Gonic Elementary School, 10 Railroad Ave.
Ward 4: McClelland Elementary School, 59 Brock St.
Ward 5: James W. Foley Memorial Community Center, 150 Wakefield St./Community Way
Ward 6: Elks Lodge No. 1393, 295 Columbus Ave.
Can I still register to vote in Rochester?
New voters are encouraged to visit the city clerk’s office at City Hall at 31 Wakefield St. to register to vote. You can also register to vote at your polling location on the day of the election.
How to get an absentee ballot in Rochester
Rochester residents who cannot get to the polls on Election Day can request an absentee ballot at the city clerk's office using this form: rochesternh.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif9211/f/uploads/nov_7_2023_absentee_request.pdf.
Rochester mayor candidates
Incumbent first-term Mayor Paul Callaghan is being challenged by Susan Rice, who has been a vocal critic of the mayor and often takes on city councilors in public meetings. Rice is the mother of a former councilor, who was removed from the council by his peers in a 2021 council trial presided over by Callaghan.
Foster's Daily Democrat sent questionnaires to the mayoral candidates, asking about their top priorities and views on issues like affordable housing, development, homelessness and ethics. Here are their responses:
Paul Callaghan:
Rochester mayor candidate answers questions on the issues
Susan Rice:
Rochester mayor candidate answers questions on the issues
Rochester City Council candidates
In addition to mayor, the Rochester City Council has 12 seats. This includes two seats each representing the city's six voting wards. Voters can vote for the Seat A and Seat B races for the wards in which they live. Four of the 12 seats feature contested races, while eight candidates are unopposed.
Eight current councilors are not running in 2023, meaning the majority of the council will be replaced when this year's election winners are sworn into office.
Foster's Daily Democrat sent council candidates the same questionnaire sent to mayoral candidates. Here are their responses:
Ward 1, Seat A
Patricia Turner:
Did not respond to questionnaire.
Joshua Guptel:
Did not respond to questionnaire.
Ward 1, Seat B
Tim Fontneau:
Rochester City Council candidate answers questions on the issues
Ward 2, Seat A
Daniel Fitzpatrick:
Did not respond to questionnaire.
Ward 2, Seat B
Amy Malone:
Did not respond to questionnaire.
Ward 3, Seat A
Bryan Karolian:
Rochester City Council candidate answers questions on the issues
Ward 3, Seat B
David Heramn:
Rochester City Council candidate answers questions on the issues
Ward 4, Seat A
David E. Walker:
Rochester City Council candidate answers questions on the issues
Chuck Grassie:
Rochester City Council candidate answers questions on the issues
Ward 4, Seat B
Chuck Creteau:
Rochester City Council candidate answers questions on the issues
Keith Fitts:
Rochester City Council candidate answers questions on the issues
Ward 5, Seat A
Alex de Geofroy:
Rochester City Council candidate answers questions on the issues
Ward 5, Seat B
Donald Hamann:
Did not respond to questionnaire.
Ward 6, Seat A
Matthew Richardson:
Did not respond to questionnaire.
Ward 6, Seat B
Benjamin Pratt:
Did not respond to questionnaire.
Kevin Sullivan:
Rochester City Council candidate answers questions on the issues
Rochester School Board candidates
The Rochester School Board has 13 seats, two seats each in Wards 1-6, plus an at-large seat. Residents can vote for the Seat A and Seat B races for the wards in which they live, and all city voters can vote for the at-large seat. Eight of the seats feature contested races, while five candidates are unopposed.
Foster's Daily Democrat sent questionnaires to candidates, asking about the top issues facing the district, plus their views on issues like hiring and retaining school staff and how the city's schools should deal with book ban requests, school safety and mental health and wellness of students. Here are their responses:
At-large
Matthew Beaulieu:
Rochester School Board candidate answers questions on the issues
Tabatha Davis:
Rochester School Board candidate answers questions on the issues
Colleen Yasenchock:
Rochester School Board candidate answers questions on the issues
Ward 1, Seat A
Sarah Harrington:
Rochester School Board candidate answers questions on the issues
Tracy Walbridge:
Rochester School Board candidate answers questions on the issues
Ward 1, Seat B
Nick Bellows:
Rochester School Board candidate answers questions on the issues
Diane Leveille:
Rochester School Board candidate answers questions on the issues
Ward 2, Seat A
David Camire:
Rochester School Board candidate answers questions on the issues
Ward 2, Seat B
Sandra B. Keans:
Did not respond to questionnaire.
Ward 3, Seat A
Shauni McGowan:
Rochester School Board candidate answers questions on the issues
Christine Gianotti:
Rochester School Board candidate answers questions on the issues
Ward 3, Seat B
Matthew Pappas:
Rochester School Board candidate answers questions on the issues
Khristine Bibeau:
Rochester School Board candidate answers questions on the issues
Ward 4, Seat A
Shane Downs:
Rochester School Board candidate answers questions on the issues
Anne Grassie:
Rochester School Board candidate answers questions on the issues
Ward 4, Seat B
Paul Cormier:
Rochester School Board candidate answers questions on the issues
James Connor:
Rochester School Board candidate answers questions on the issues
Ward 5, Seat A
Karen Stokes:
Did not respond to questionnaire.
Ward 5, Seat B
Erik S. White:
Did not respond to questionnaire.
Ward 6, Seat A
Steven Cusumano:
Rochester School Board candidate answers questions on the issues
Ward 6, Seat B
Donna R. Ellis:
Did not respond to questionnaire.
Kelli L. Allen:
Rochester School Board candidate answers questions on the issues
Rochester Police Commission candidates
The Rochester Police Commission election features three seats and one contested race. Foster's Daily Democrat sent questionnaires to the candidates asking about their top priorities, areas in need of improvement and how to best recruit and retain police officers. Here are their responses:
Wards 1 and 2
David Stevens:
Rochester Police Commission candidate answers questions on the issues
Wards 3 and 4
David Winship Jr.:
Rochester Police Commission candidate answers questions on the issues
John Larochelle:
Rochester Police Commission candidate answers questions on the issues
Wards 5 and 6
Donna Bogan:
Rochester Police Commission candidate answers questions on the issues
Sportsbook gambling question on Rochester ballot
Residents will be asked to vote "yes" in favor of allowing a sportsbook retail gambling locations in the city, or "no" if they oppose it.
If the "yes" vote prevails, a sportsbook location would be allowed only in established charitable gaming facilities, which are allowed in Rochester in the highway commercial zone (routes 11 and 125) or by special exception in the Granite Ridge development zone.
The casino planned at Lilac Mall is the likely location for sportsbook gambling in Rochester if voters approve. The casino is planned to be 32,000 square feet with 26 gaming tables and about 225 historical horse racing machines, along with a restaurant and bar.
Charlie McIntyre, executive director of the New Hampshire Lottery, said there are currently four DraftKings sportsbook venues in the state, including Seacoast locations at the Filotimo Casino & Restaurant in the Dover Bowl complex and The Brook casino in Seabrook. DraftKings is also contracted in New Hampshire as the exclusive provider of online sports gambling.
"The difference between physical locations and online betting is the locations are usually sports bars where you can go and bet on the games you are watching," McIntyre said. "Online betting usually occurs in the home, on games, or lottery tickets."
More: Rochester voters to decide if sportsbook gambling site can come to city
This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Rochester NH election 2023: Voters guide to what's on the ballot
