Dear Gov. Sununu and Secretary of State Gardner: I am writing this letter as a citizen, voter, taxpayer and supervisor of the checklist in Hopkinton.
I understand that we in New Hampshire have been offered $3 million-plus from the Federal Election Assistance Commission under the CARES Act that requires only that we provide $600,000 in matching funds for the purpose of preparing our elections under the current COVID-19 threat.
It is my understanding that, as of now, you have chosen not to provide the matching funds, thus denying the citizens of New Hampshire the extra money that will be needed this fall to protect our voters, election officials and other poll workers.
Not only is the security of the polling places going to cost more money, but the expanded definition of disability for an absentee ballot will also increase the financial burden for the cities and towns with the additional hours for preparation and mailing, as well as the actual mailing costs for those ballots.
It seems to me that it will cost much more statewide than that $600,000 matching to do what we must to provide a safe environment for all in September for the state primary and November for the general election.
I urge you to move on this quickly since without that extra money, there will be even more of a financial burden put on the cities and towns of New Hampshire, who already carry a very heavy tax responsibility. Please put up the required money for the protection of us all.
JEAN LIGHTFOOT
Contoocook