Hanover
In Hanover, Town Clerk Betsy McClain said more than 2,500 votes had been cast by about 11:45 this morning. There were 350 same-day registrations, she said. About 7,500 people voted in the college town in 2016.
NextGen America, an environmental advocacy nonprofit and political action committee, says in Hanover and Durham, home to University of New Hampshire, turnout already has been at least half of the total vote in the last mid-term election in 2014. Almost 2,600 people voted in Hanover by noon, the group said.
Garrett Muscatel, a Dartmouth College junior who is among five candidates running for the four seats representing Hanover and Lyme in the New Hampshire House, said lines at the polls at Hanover High School this morning stretched to the road.
Although lines had shortened by midday, a steady stream of voters are headed into the voting booths.
“Turnout’s been amazing,” Muscatel, a Democrat, said as he campaigned outside the high school. “People are really enthusiastic to get out and vote.”
Between 10 a.m. and noon, more than 100 Dartmouth students had used a free shuttle from Robinson Hall to the polls at Hanover High School.
In New Hampshire, Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, a first-term incumbent, is hoping to turn back a challenge from former state Sen. Molly Kelly, a Democrat from Cheshire County. A University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll released on Sunday evening showed the race too close to call, with both candidates polling at 49 percent, though the poll also found most voters expect Sununu to be re-elected.
In Vermont, Republican Gov. Phil Scott is seeking a second term after signing gun safety legislation opposed by conservative gun rights voters. Scott is being challenged by Democrat Christine Hallquist, a former utility executive.
Voters in New Hampshire are also deciding whether to send U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster, D-N.H., back to Washington for another term. She’s being challenged by state Rep. Steve Negron, an abortion rights opponent from Nashua.
And Executive Councilor Chris Pappas, D-Manchester, is running against Republican Eddie Edwards for an open seat in New Hampshire’s First Congressional District.
A contested state Senate race is in play in the Newport-area, where state Sen. Ruth Ward, R-Stoddard, is being challenged by Democrat Jenn Alford-Teaster, a Dartmouth College researcher who lives in Sutton, N.H.. And in the Haverhill area, state Sen. Bob Giuda, R-Warren, is trying to fend off a challenge in from Democrat Bill Bolton, of Plymouth.
In Vermont, state Sen. Mark MacDonald, D-Williamstown, is trying to hold his Orange Senate district seat despite a challenge from Thetford Republican Bill Huff.
Posted Tuesday.