Ward Official Roles

Below is a brief summary of the duties of Election Officials. This overview, provides a general understanding of the responsibilities associated with each position. If you have any questions, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (603) 225-8500 or email us at cityclerk@concordnh.gov.

Ward Moderator

Elected to a two-year term at the biennial municipal election held every odd-numbered year, the Ward Moderator serves as the chief election officer at the ward level. The Moderator operates under the direction of the City Clerk, who is the City’s chief election officer.

The Moderator is responsible for ensuring that all election officers are present on Election Day and familiar with their duties. All ward election officers report to the Moderator, who is ultimately responsible for the accuracy and integrity of all election procedures.

The Moderator must ensure that the polling place is open and ready to accept voters at the prescribed time (currently 7:00 a.m.). The Moderator must also ensure that all legally required postings and documentation are properly displayed. All necessary materials and instructions are provided by the City Clerk.

Throughout Election Day, the Moderator is charged with maintaining order at the polling place and serves as the final authority on all operational decisions. Assistance from the City Clerk is available by phone or in person.

Additional duties of the Moderator may include, but are not limited to:

Inspecting checklists and voting machines
Assisting voters as needed
Maintaining order and addressing voter challenges
Receiving and processing absentee ballots
Closing the polls and overseeing ballot counting
Determining legal ballots and reporting election results
Securing ballots and completing required documentation
Returning all materials, documentation, and counted ballots to the City Clerk’s Office

Moderators assist in recount procedures within their respective wards when recounts are requested by candidates.

Ward Clerk

Elected to a two-year term at the biennial municipal election held every odd-numbered year, the Ward Clerk reports directly to the Ward Moderator.

The primary responsibilities of the Ward Clerk are to ensure the security of the ballots, both cast and uncast as well as administer and prepare all documentation required at the polling place. This includes election return forms, tally sheets, and associated reports, and other required administrative documents.

On Election Day, the Ward Clerk assists voters who may need help within the polling area and supports the Moderator in managing polling place operations. At the direction of the City Clerk, the Ward Clerk must sign and post warrants announcing the upcoming election. The Ward Clerk is required to sign warrants and most election reports. The Ward Clerk and Moderator share responsibility for the accurate counting and reporting of election results, including tallies and absentee ballots, and must ensure that all results are properly recorded and delivered to the City Clerk.

Additional responsibilities include:

Helping maintain an orderly flow of voters through the polling place.
Ensuring that the polls are open on time and operating properly.

Supervisor of the Checklist

Three Supervisors of the Checklist are elected to serve each ward within the City. Supervisors are elected to six-year terms at the biennial municipal election held in odd-numbered years. One Supervisor is elected at each municipal election, resulting in staggered terms. The Supervisors of the Checklist also elect a Supervisor of the Checklist Chair within their respective wards.

Registers eligible citizens to vote and approves voter name and address changes.
Rules on voter challenges related to age, identity, domicile, or citizenship.
Verifies the official checklist used on a given Election Day following the closing of the polls.
Reports the number of voters registered on Election Day and, on Primary Election Days, the total number of voters who have chosen to return to Undeclared status.

Greeter

Directs registered voters who have a photo ID to the appropriate checklist line.
Directs unregistered voters to the Supervisor of the Checklist to complete the voter registration process.
Must be at least 17 years old.

Ballot Clerks

Checks in voters and marks the paper checklist to indicate participation, noting any updates to a voter’s name or address.
Distributes ballots to voters who have been checked in.
Performs additional duties as assigned by the Moderator.
May participate in ballot counting procedures on Election Night.
Must work in the ward in which they are registered.

On election day, all officials report to the polling place one hour before the polls open. This ensures adequate time to finish setting up the polling place. The ballots, tabulator and accessible tablet, will be delivered to the polling location prior to the polls opening on Election Day.

All election officials must remain at the polling place until all election duties have been completed and the moderator has dismissed them. Both Moderator and Ward Clerk will need to report to the City Clerk’s Office with those items due back to the office on Election Night.

The City Clerk’s Office is grateful to work with such a devoted group of individuals who help ensure fair elections and support all Concord residents in exercising their most fundamental right.

Ward Official Roles