CONCORD — Amherst, Hollis, Wilton and Lyndeborough are among a handful of New Hampshire towns where so-called “election irregularities” have surfaced on the eve of the 2023 town elections, according to the office of Attorney General John M. Formella.

In each of the cases, it was found that “political advertising did not contain information identifying the party that paid for or distributed” the advertising. “Under New Hampshire law, political advertising that does not have the required disclosure information can be removed by municipal maintenance personnel and law enforcement,” according to the statement.

As the March 14 elections are so close, the identities of these individuals may not be known prior to the elections. As a result, Formella reminds voters to do their own research on candidates and warrant articles before they vote,” he stated.

The towns and circumstances follow.

* Amherst: An identified party has published the website “amhersttoday.net,” which includes endorsements of town and school candidates and opposition to warrant articles on the March 14 town and school district elections but violates RSA 664:14. The website states that it is “provided by concerned Amherst citizens who wish to remain anonymous.” The Election Law Unit investigated this matter and spoke with Tim Kachmar, of Amherst, who confirmed that he is responsible for the website. The website is being updated to include Mr. Kachmar’s name.

* Hollis: An unidentified party sent mailers asking voters to vote “NO” on Warrant Article 2 at Hollis’s March 18 town meeting. The mailers, which were issued under a United States Postal permit from Tampa, Florida, violated RSA 664:14. After issuing yesterday’s press release, Eugene Ward, of Hollis, contacted our office and identified that he and a group of neighbors on Witches Spring Road are responsible for the mailer. The group is known as “Hollis Residents Against Witches Spring Development Recreation Complex.” This group is developing flyers to hand out and has two banners. The group will use an email address that will be included with their group name on the flyers and banners to comply with RSA 664:14.

* Wilton and Lyndeborough: A mailer was sent out supporting school board candidates “Brianne Lavallee” and “Cynthia Diane Foss” without proper language identifying who sent it. The Election Law Unit spoke with School Board candidate Cynthia Dianne Foss, of Wilton, who confirmed that she and Brianne Lavallee, of Lyndeborough, are responsible for the mailer sent to residents in Wilton and Lyndeborough. The Election Law Unit educated Ms. Foss about the statute that requires the identifying language. Ms. Foss agreed to share the information with Ms. Lavallee.

* Raymond: An unidentified party published the website “raymondrights.com”. The website contains endorsements of candidates and warrant articles on the Raymond ballot in the March 14 election but violated RSA 664:14. As part of the Election Law Unit’s investigation, contact was made with Kera Clements, who confirmed she was responsible for the website. The website has been updated to include a contact person to identify the responsible party for the political advertising.

* Newfields: An unidentified party published the website “supportnewfields.com” and placed signs in town opposing the candidacy of an individual running for selectboard at the March 14 election. The website and signs violated RSA 664:14. After issuing yesterday’s press release, Kevin Davis, of Newfields, contacted our Office and identified that he and his wife are responsible for the website. They immediately took down the website until they could speak with us and take any necessary corrective action. The website is being updated to include a contact person to identify the responsible party for the political advertising. The signs will be in compliance with RSA 664:14 based on the website update.

* Haverhill: An unidentified party has issued a mailer, which includes opposition to two warrant articles that will be considered at the March 18 Haverhill Town Meeting, that violates RSA 664:14. The mailer does not identify the party responsible for sending the mailer but uses a United States Postal permit from Manchester, New Hampshire. The Election Law Unit is investigating this matter and has determined that the postal permit belongs to Spectrum Printing. As of this time, we have requested Spectrum Printing disclose the name of the party that paid for the mailer and are awaiting a response.

* Epping: An organization named “Epping Residents for Government Integrity” issued a mailer, entitled “The Epping Taxing Times,” which includes endorsements of candidates and opposition to warrant articles on the March 14 ballot but violates RSA 664:14. The mailer and the website it references do not provide information including the name of a person responsible for the political advertising. The Election Law Unit determined that Diane Gilbert, of Epping, is responsible for this political advertising. The website is being updated to include Ms. Gilbert’s name.

* Thornton: In a previous press release, the office identified some individuals involved with the group of approximately 20 Thornton residents who are responsible for the “stopthetax” website and the “Thornton Taxpayers group.” We incorrectly identified Bob Hatcher as Bob Hatch. Both David Rivers and Bob Hatcher worked with us to correct the website and signs, so they now comply with RSA 664:14.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.