CONCORD, N.H. — Efforts to encourage young people to register to vote in New Hampshire are working, according to a new report by The Civics Center, a nonprofit focused on youth voter registration.
Around the state, an estimated 21.2 percent of 18-year-olds had registered to vote by the end of June, the report found. That’s up over 12 points compared to six months prior, when only 9 percent of 18-year-olds were registered.
“I’d say it’s very meaningful progress to increase the rate by 12 percentage points, and there’s still a very long way to go for New Hampshire to help its youngest citizens get ready to participate in democracy,” said Laura W. Brill, founder and CEO of The Civics Center.
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The report found Portsmouth was the community with the highest registration of 18-year-olds (44 percent), while Manchester came in 20th (9 percent).
23nhmrvoters – Registration rates in New Hampshire by county. (The Civics Center)The Civics Center
New Hampshire is still behind other states where registration rates are much higher, like Michigan which had registered 74 percent of 18-year-olds by August, or New York with 40 percent by May, according to data from The Civics Center.
Brill said it’s harder for young people to register in New Hampshire than states that offer online registration, DMV registration, or pre-registration starting at age 16.
The organization focuses on registering first-time voters because US Census Data shows people who are registered are more likely to vote.
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In New Hampshire, The Civics Center worked on voter registration drives along with Open Democracy NH, a democracy-focused nonprofit, to boost registration numbers. They held 18 drives across 15 communities in the state, according to The Civics Center.
Brill said gains were particularly notable in two of the towns that hosted drives: In Exeter, registration rates increased by 36 points, while in Bow, they increased by 27 points, although there are still nearly 13,000 18-year-olds estimated to be unregistered around the state.
23nhmrvoters – Registration rates in New Hampshire by city and town. (The Civics Center)The Civics Center
This story first appeared in Globe NH | Morning Report, our free newsletter focused on the news you need to know about New Hampshire, including great coverage from the Boston Globe and links to interesting articles from other places. If you’d like to receive it via e-mail Monday through Friday, you can sign up here.
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Amanda Gokee can be reached at amanda.gokee@globe.com. Follow her @amanda_gokee.
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
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An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment. He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
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McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
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New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads. The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
WILTON, N.H. (WHDH) – A woman died in a Wilton, New Hampshire, house fire Wednesday morning, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.
At 9:08 a.m., Wilton firefighters responded to Burns Hill Road after a caller said their home was filling up with smoke. When they arrived, a single-family home was on fire and they found out two people were still inside on the second floor.
A man and a woman were both taken out of the house by firefighters and taken to Elliott Hospital. The woman was pronounced dead and the man is in serious condition.
Officials have not released the name of the victim at this time.
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At this time, investigators are looking into the cause of the fire and are trying to determine if a power outage in the area played a factor. The fire is not currently considered suspicious.
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