Portsmouth 2025 election voter guide: When and where to vote, who is on ballot

Portsmouth’s 2025 election is Tuesday, Nov. 4. Voters will choose the mayor and city councilors, School Board members, Police Commission and Fire Commission members. The ballot also has questions asking voters if they want to allow social districts for outdoor drinking areas in the city, and if they want to prohibit games of chance (casino-style games) and Keno.

Read on for information voters need to know about the city election and the candidates. Key information on voting is provided by the city clerk’s office. Candidates shared their views by responding to questionnaires from Seacoastonline.

What time do polls open and close in Portsmouth?

Voting will be held 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4. Voters should bring identification. Portsmouth‘s city clerk has posted information on the state’s voter ID law.

Where do I vote in Portsmouth?

The voting locations are as follows:

Ward 1: New Franklin School – 1 Franklin Drive.

Ward 2: Portsmouth Middle School (Connie Bean Gymnasium entrance) – 155 Parrott Ave.

Ward 3: Portsmouth Senior Activity Center – 125 Cottage St.

Ward 4: Dondero Elementary School – 32 Van Buren Ave.

Ward 5: Little Harbour School – 50 Clough Drive.

Portsmouth residents vote in the ward where they live. If you aren’t sure which ward you live in, check the city’s voting ward map or list of streets for each ward.

Can I register to vote on Election Day if I am not already registered?

Yes, new voters may register to vote on Election Day at their designated polling location.

Who are the candidates for Portsmouth City Council?

Seven of the nine incumbent city councilors are seeking reelection, meaning two or more of the nine two-year seats will be won by candidates who are not currently in office. The top City Council election vote getter wins the mayor’s seat, while the second-place finisher becomes assistant mayor.

There are 16 active candidates on the ballot for nine City Council seats. The winners will take office for two-year terms in January. (Chad Carter remains on the ballot, but he informed the city clerk’s office he has dropped out of the race.)

The candidates were asked about issues such as affordability of living in Portsmouth, the city budget, housing, the police station and city hall project, the McIntyre building, changes to State and Congress streets and more.

Tap or click the name of each candidate to read their responses to the questionnaire:

• Andrew Bagley (incumbent)
• Rick Becksted
• Rich Blalock (incumbent)
• Kate Cook (incumbent)
• Michelle Flynn
• Annie Hopkins
• Petra Huda
• Joanna Kelley (incumbent assistant mayor)
• Jim Lee
• Deaglan McEachern (incumbent mayor)
• Beth Moreau (incumbent)
• Thom Rossi
• Robert Sullivan
• John Tabor (incumbent)
• Paige Trace
• Peter Whelan

Who are the candidates for Portsmouth School Board?

There are eight candidates for five four-year terms on the nine-seat city School Board. All eight responded to candidate questionnaires prepared by Seacoastonline and Portsmouth Herald staff.  They were asked to identify their top priorities and to answer questions about issues like redistricting of city elementary schools and state legislation regarding open enrollment and diversity, equity and inclusion laws.

Tap or click the name of each candidate to read their responses to the questionnaire:

• Steven Adler
• Nancy Novelline Clayburgh (incumbent)
• Brian French (incumbent)
• Roy Helsel
• Esther Kennedy
• Genevieve Becksted Muske (incumbent)
• Lisa Rapaport (incumbent)
• Jennifer Shump

Who are the candidates for Portsmouth Police Commission?

All four candidates in the race for two available four-year terms on the Police Commission responded to candidate questionnaires prepared by Seacoastonline and Portsmouth Herald staff.  They were asked questions about topics like their top priorities, a new police station project and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Tap or click the name of each candidate to read their responses to the questionnaire:

• Gary Dozier
• Thomas Hart
• Jay Lieberman
• Buzz Scherr (incumbent)

Who are the candidates for Fire Commission?

Incumbents Richard “Dickie” Gamester and Jennifer Mosher-Mattes are uncontested for two open four-year terms on the Fire Commission.

Portsmouth ballot questions: Social districts, games of chance and Keno

Voters will be asked if they want to allow social districts, which are newly legalized outdoor drinking areas, in Portsmouth. If voters approve social districts, The new law in New Hamsphire requires a social district to be “clearly defined with signs posted in a conspicuous location indicating which area is included in the social district (and) the days and hours during which alcoholic beverages may be consumed in the social district.” If Portsmouth voters approve social districts, city leaders would have the option to choose a location or locations and develop a plan for them. The City Council would have to approve any plan before it’s enacted.

Voters will also be asked if they want to prohibit games of chance (casino-style games) and Keno.

Reporting by Staff report / Portsmouth Herald