With the New Hampshire primary behind us and the general election still weeks away, there is an important opportunity for Granite Staters to keep talking with the candidates who want to represent them.
The New Hampshire general election is Nov. 3, giving voters time to attend candidate forums, community events and other gatherings where they can hear directly from candidates and ask about the issues that matter to their communities.
For those who care about New Hampshire’s lakes, one of those issues is lake health.
Our lakes are among New Hampshire’s greatest natural resources. They provide clean drinking water, support local businesses, attract visitors and offer countless opportunities for recreation and relaxation. They also face growing challenges — from polluted runoff water and aging septic systems to toxic cyanobacteria blooms, aquatic invasive species, shoreline erosion and development pressure.
These challenges affect communities across the state. And many of the decisions that influence the health of our lakes are made by elected officials.
That’s why now is a good time to start — or continue — the conversation.
You don’t have to be an expert in environmental science or public policy. You simply have to care enough to ask a question.
If you attend a candidate forum or community event, a candidate knocks on your door, you run into one at the town transfer station, or you have another opportunity to meet a candidate, consider asking:
What do you see as the biggest threats facing New Hampshire’s lakes?
How would you balance growth and development with protecting clean water?
What actions would you support to protect and improve New Hampshire’s lakes?
Then listen to the answer.
Share your own experience with the lake that matters to you. Tell candidates why healthy lakes are important to your family, your community or your business.
The goal isn’t to debate every issue or convince someone to agree with you. It’s to make sure candidates understand that lake health matters to the people and communities they hope to represent.
At NH LAKES, we’ve created a free Questions & Talking Points for Conversations with Candidates guide to make these conversations easy and approachable. You don’t need to ask every question. One or two thoughtful questions can be enough to start a meaningful conversation.
And there’s still time.
The primary may have narrowed the field, but the general election is still ahead. This is an opportunity to make sure lake health remains part of the public conversation as candidates continue meeting with voters and sharing their priorities.
Every conversation helps remind candidates that healthy lakes support our economy, our wildlife, our recreation and our quality of life.
Every conversation helps make lake health visible as an issue that matters to New Hampshire communities.
And every conversation helps build the foundation for continued engagement with elected officials after Election Day.
Visit nhlakes.org/vote to download NH LAKES’ free guide. Find an opportunity to connect with candidates, ask a thoughtful question and share what you learn.
The primary is over. But there is still time to make sure New Hampshire’s lakes are part of the conversation leading up to the general election in November.
Healthy lakes don’t happen by accident. They depend on informed citizens, engaged communities, and thoughtful leaders working together.
Andrea LaMoreaux is president & policy advocate for NH LAKES, a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring the health of New Hampshire’s lakes.