New Hampshire

Authorities map out potential threats ahead of New Hampshire primary

Published

2 years ago

January 21, 2024

Authorities map out potential threats ahead of New Hampshire primary

Before the first ballot is cast in New Hampshire’s presidential primary, authorities are already mapping out potential threats to its election – and strategizing how to stop them, according to a new assessment by the New Hampshire Information and Analysis Center (NHIAC).

The confidential analysis, distributed to law enforcement on Jan. 17 and obtained by ABC News, describes an array of possible plots by those who might seek to disturb the first-in-the-nation primary Tuesday.

The document notes there is “no information to indicate any specific, credible threat.” But it underscores that this should not lull law enforcement and government officials into disregarding potential risks – and the grave importance of vigorously troubleshooting would-be attacks in advance.

“The NHIAC remains concerned about threats posed by foreign terrorist organizations, racially motivated violent extremists, domestic violent extremists, homegrown violent extremists, and other nation-state or criminal actors looking to disrupt the US elections,” the bulletin said.

“Numerous attacks and disrupted plots in recent years demonstrate the continued interest” of foreign and domestic extremists to prey on “mass gatherings and other soft targets,” including “symbolic events,” the bulletin said. Few political events are more symbolic than the first primary. And, officials warn, that there are those who “have the ability to disrupt, suppress, or discourage voters from participating” in New Hampshire.

The new analysis comes at the start of the high-stakes presidential election season and during a time of heightened threats of almost every type.

Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump greets the crowd during a campaign rally at the Grappone Convention Center, on Jan. 19, 2024, in Concord, New Hampshire.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

“The 2024 election cycle is occurring at a time when the US is facing one of the most volatile and dangerous threat environments it’s faced since Sept. 11,” said John Cohen, the former intelligence chief at the Department of Homeland Security and now an ABC News contributor. “In today’s threat environment, the lack of credible information regarding a specific plot or attack does not mean the threat is not out there. We know the threat is there.”

A powder keg global environment looms over the 2024 presidential primary, experts say. The 2024 election was already going to be the first presidential race since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. It is also marked by increasingly toxic political rhetoric, the intermingling of the courtroom and campaign trail as former President Donald Trump faces four criminal trials, and the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. In addition, hate speech, misinformation and disinformation are running rampant on social media, and rapidly evolving technology remains vulnerable, experts say.

These circumstances present ripe opportunities for adversarial countries who have “aimed to influence US elections in the past by undermining public confidence in the electoral process and exacerbating sociopolitical divisions,” the New Hampshire analysis said.

“The current threat environment rests on the foundation of anger, the polarization that has become all too pervasive in our society. And pervasive in our political discourse as well,” Cohen said. “Election officials need to be prepared to counteract if something occurs – but you can’t wait ’til it happens.”

Some state election officials, including Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, have already been the victim of “swatting” incidents — false reports of an ongoing emergency or threat to prompt an immediate tactical law enforcement response, intended to cause fear and harass — as well as death threats and other harassment.

Public events – especially contentious political ones – offer a “convenient target for anyone already considering violence, or a way to express their grievance, or to disrupt things,” said Elizabeth Neumann, former DHS assistant secretary and an ABC News contributor. “So, we need our law enforcement to be as agile as possible.”

PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley reacts as former Keene Mayor George Hansel presents her with a bottle of maple syrup for her birthday, at a campaign stop in Keene, N.H., on Jan. 20, 2024. — Republican presidential candidate and former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley reacts as former Keene Mayor George Hansel presents her with a bottle of maple syrup for her birthday at a Get Out the Vote campaign stop ahead of the New Hampshire primary election in Keene, N.H., on Jan. 20, 2024.
Brian Snyder/Reuters

The New Hampshire analysis outlines potential threats from foreign “cyber operations” to “covert influence operations” targeting election security, political parties, campaigns or public officials, the analysis said. Advancing and increasingly “hyper-realistic” artificial intelligence is an “expected” tool to “spread false narratives and influence public perception.”

The bulletin also includes a detailed list of “potential threat indicators” that could signal “pre-operational surveillance or attack planning” that law enforcement officials should be on the lookout for – like suspicious and “unattended” luggage that could conceal explosives, an “increase in social media traffic discussing event vulnerabilities” as well as “loss of power at event locations, creating an inability to hold voting.”

State and local election websites, email addresses and social media platforms are “among the top election vulnerable platforms,” according to the bulletin, with phishing schemes and other efforts enabling malicious access to networks and servers “which can negatively impact elections and/or election infrastructure.”

New Hampshire holds voting “through secure, non-electronic, means,” the bulletin notes: voting is conducted “through paper ballots, counted by offline machines and are then transported to the Secretary of State’s Office, via the New Hampshire State Police.”

PHOTO: Supporters welcome Republican presidential hopeful and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley to a campaign event in Keene New Hampshire, on Jan. 20, 2024. — Supporters welcome Republican presidential hopeful and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley to a campaign event in Keene New Hampshire, on Jan. 20, 2024.
Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images

Record turnout is predicted in New Hampshire’s Republican primary, the state’s secretary of state, David Scanlan, predicted Friday.

The dynamic threat landscape underscores the significance of robust analyses like these, Cohen said: it offers a “roadmap” for how authorities work “to ensure that the election is safe and secure, and the public is safe and secure.”

In fact, the analysis includes a literal map of New Hampshire’s polling locations.

New Hampshire public safety officials have been going over contingency plans for the primary with their secretary of state’s office, Tyler Dumont, spokesperson for New Hampshire’s Department of Safety told ABC News. He added they’re continually mindful of what’s happening in other states and around the globe – to do everything they can to prepare for anything.

“As with all large-scale events in the state, we are working with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to ensure preparedness for any potential emergency situation,” Dumont said. “Our members are committed to ensuring all citizens can vote safely on Tuesday.”

“The threat seems daunting, but it’s less daunting if you have a plan,” Cohen said. “And we’re beginning to see that planning taking place.”

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New Hampshire

NH National Guard activated in connection with Iran war

Published

12 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

NH National Guard activated in connection with Iran war

The federal government has activated the New Hampshire National Guard’s 157th Air Refueling Wing in connection with the war with Iran.

“I’ve had a briefing myself, a classified briefing, but it’s really important on the messaging on this that we really coordinate with the Pentagon,” Gov. Kelly Ayotte told reporters during a press briefing following Wednesday’s Executive Council meeting.

Ayotte said she was unable to share additional details about the nature of the New Hampshire National Guard’s activity related to the conflict, including how many guard members have been activated or what role they are playing.

“We’re going to respect what messaging comes out of the Pentagon just to make sure that our men and women in uniform are fully protected and that we aren’t providing any information that could be used in a way that would be harmful to them,” Ayotte said.

In a statement Thursday, Ayotte said the unit had been deployed in late February to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of the operation.

Pease Air National Guard KC-46 Pegasus air refueling aircraft in June 2023.

Earlier this week, Pentagon officials confirmed that members of the Vermont National Guard were involved in attacks against Iran over the weekend, though our news partners at Vermont Public were not able to confirm additional details on the nature of the operation.

During the briefing with local reporters, Ayotte also stressed her support for servicemembers and those close to them.

“I have such respect for our men and women in uniform,” Ayotte said. “As you know, I come from a military family, and they have our full support, and we appreciate them and their families, and obviously anyone who is serving right now, and my thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost someone that they love.”

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New Hampshire

NH Senate Votes To Hike Turnpike Tolls for Out-of-State Vehicles

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

NH Senate Votes To Hike Turnpike Tolls for Out-of-State Vehicles

By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org

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.

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.

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.

New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads.
The governor said she does not support a toll increase.