My colleague Lily Jackson rounds up the best ways to make your voice heard each week.

Here are 11 ways to get involved this weekend:

💪 Friday, July 31

💪 Saturday, Aug. 1

💪 Sunday, Aug. 2

Have an event to add? Email Lily with details.

Here’s what’s inside today’s newsletter:

📰 What we’re reading, including: Will Gov. Ayotte’s veto slow NH’s economy?

📢 We asked, you answered: How confident are you that New Hampshire’s election process is fair and secure? Sound off!

🔍 Question of the week: How would you grade Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s performance so far? Share your take.

💦 Try these 7 freshwater swimming spots in New Hampshire this summer.

🚧 A transportation funding fight is raising concerns about New Hampshire’s economy …

Business leaders and transportation advocates say Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s veto of the state’s 10-year transportation plan has created uncertainty over future highway projects and federal matching funds. A new report warns the state’s long-term infrastructure needs remain underfunded. New Hampshire Business Review

⚖️ In a major legal case, federal prosecutors are seeking to strip a Nashua woman of her US citizenship …

The Justice Department alleges Khandaker Nazmunnessa Ullah concealed a prior deportation order issued under a different name before becoming a US citizen in 2009. Her attorney says the allegations will be challenged as the case moves forward. The Boston Globe

🏭 And in Exeter, an explosion at a Sig Sauer factory seriously injured a worker …

Fire officials say the blast involved stored titanium inside the company’s manufacturing facility. The employee suffered severe burns and was flown to a Boston-area hospital. The cause remains under investigation. New Hampshire Public Radio

This week, we asked readers: How confident are you that New Hampshire’s election process is fair and secure?

Here’s what they had to say…

“As an election worker, I can attest to NH’s elections being free and fair. It is excruciatingly difficult to hear complaints about fraud in elections in NH. There are so many hoops to jump through, checks and balances, and built-in safeguards that make sure everything is done correctly and without mistakes. There is just no way to fake it! It would be obvious.” — Sharon Reed-Erickson, Rochester

“Worked many years as a ballot clerk, dealt with changes in the laws every year and enjoyed the excitement of seeing neighbors come in to vote. My opinion is NH voting is completely safe. Most people forget that following a vote, all of the new voter same-day registrations are kept separate and tracked to ensure the registrations are legal; if not, adjustments to vote totals are made. These segregated ballots can be identified to a voter if necessary. This conversation of illegal voting is very hard to believe based on the process followed by every city and town. The next time you hear a neighbor talk about fraud, retell this story and ask them how fraud is possible? Finding invalid votes in NH is very rare.” — Dan Roy

“People unfamiliar with NH voting should calm down and observe the process. It works well partly because so many local citizens are willing to volunteer. There’s plenty to do!” — Frances Taylor

A recent University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll shows the race for governor is close, with Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte holding a narrow lead over Democratic challenger Cinde Warmington. Among likely New Hampshire voters, 44% said they would vote for Ayotte, while 39% backed Warmington. Another 17% said they were undecided or preferred another candidate.

So this week’s question is:

How would you grade Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s performance so far? 

By USA Today via Reuters Connect 

💦 Lower Falls
Albany
Granite-rock swimming hole on the Swift River with natural pools, sunbathing rocks, picnic areas, and easy access off the Kancamagus Highway.

💦 Wellington State Park 
Bristol
New Hampshire’s largest state park freshwater beach on Newfound Lake, with swimming, boating, hiking, and family-friendly amenities.

💦 Diana’s Baths 
North Conway (Bartlett area)
A series of cascading waterfalls and shallow pools reached by a short, scenic hike.

💦 Weirs Beach
Laconia
A sandy freshwater beach on Lake Winnipesaukee with a boardwalk, arcades, restaurants, and mountain views.

💦 Swiftwater Falls
Bath
A waterfall swimming hole featuring two cascades, a natural waterslide, and a large pool beneath a covered bridge.

💦 Echo Lake Beach
Franconia
A mountain lake beach in Franconia Notch State Park offering swimming with views of Cannon Mountain and Mt. Lafayette.

💦 Jackson Falls 
Jackson
A family favorite with 175 feet of natural rock slides, pools, and waterfalls perfect for splashing and relaxing.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Katy Savage with a story from USA Today via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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