How is it the last day of August already?

Here’s some news to know this evening:

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

🌼 Reader photo: A postcard from Portsmouth. Share your pic!

📰 What we’re reading, including: Tech entrepreneurs have a vision for New Hampshire’s future: AI, nuclear power, and their own “Freedom Village.”

📢 Question of the week: Should New Hampshire make voting easier—or are the current rules fine? Share your thoughts.

P.S. Consider this a good-use-of-your-inbox moment. Know someone who’d appreciate it? Send it their way.

 (Courtesy of Nancy Halloran)

Shoutout to Nancy Halloran of Atkinson for sharing this gorgeous photo of Prescott Park in Portsmouth. 

Fun fact: Prescott Park spans more than 10 acres along the Piscataqua River and is known for its colorful flower gardens and waterfront views.

Share your photo: Got a New Hampshire photo you love? Don’t be bashful, send it our way! We might feature it in an upcoming newsletter. 

Related: Portsmouth was named one of most charming small towns in America!

🗳️ New mail-in voting rules are tied up in court …
President Donald Trump’s push to restrict mail-in voting is facing multiple court challenges. The new rules would require special barcoded ballot envelopes and a federal voter-information portal, but officials say the changes are unlikely to affect New Hampshire’s Sept. 8 primary and could face another injunction before November. New Hampshire Bulletin 

🤖 A group of tech entrepreneurs has big plans for New Hampshire …
About 200 “techno-optimists” gathered in Manchester to talk AI, biotech, nuclear energy, and plans for “Freedom Village,” a private community aimed at entrepreneurs and tech workers. Organizers are eyeing more than 100 acres of city-owned land in Manchester for the project. New Hampshire Bulletin 

🏍️ A longtime Laconia lawmaker and Motorcycle Week leader has died …
State Rep. Charlie St. Clair, 76, died from injuries sustained in an Aug. 4 motorcycle crash. St. Clair represented Laconia and spent 35 years leading the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association. New Hampshire Bulletin 

New Hampshire was crowned the most difficult state to vote in in 2022, and it’s only gotten more difficult since.

The state doesn’t offer early voting, and absentee voting is limited to people who meet certain requirements. Absentee ballots must also be returned by mail or in person, and new rules have added a witness requirement.

Also, students can no longer use student IDs as identification to vote.

So this week’s question is…

Should New Hampshire make voting easier—or are the current rules fine?

Here’s what you’re saying:

“I lived on the road for 15 years, working all over the country and, at times, the world. I was very often dependent on being able to use an absentee ballot to vote. I am not sure what percentage of workers are on the road, but I would say they also will be disenfranchised from voting. I am sure that, in some communities, these voters make up a significant difference in the number of people able to vote. I think Trump’s plan is stupid. There is no proof of fraud in absentee voting. Besides, Trump is focusing his efforts on restricting absentee voting in blue states. My father was a postman for all of his working life. He would be angry at the USPS being TOLD how and what mail to deliver. They even deliver junk mail, which some see as a waste of resources.” — Dan Roy

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Katy Savage. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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