HANOVER, N.H. -
Set up for Tuesday's Primary in New Hampshire begins Monday afternoon -- a process in civic duty that residents in Hanover are passionate about.
"It's a very important process because this picks the candidates for the November election. If we didn't have primaries, we wouldn't have a choice and it is nice to have a choice," said Willy Black, Hanover's Town Moderator.
And for the first time in eight years both parties have a choice for Governor. Governor John Lynch, a Democrat, is not seeking a 5th term.
There are three Democrats vying for their party's nomination and three Republicans as well. All six candidates are not well known throughout the entire state.
"I think the candidates who are likely to get the nominations, on both sides, have issues of name recognition," said Linda Fowler, Professor of Government at Dartmouth College.
And Fowler says name recognition has a lot to do with politics, especially in New Hampshire.
Unlike Vermont, voters in the Granite State do not elect an attorney general--they are appointed. And the state does not have a Lieutenant Governor. Fowler says that makes rising through the political ranks in the Live Free or Die state can be more difficult.
"In the past we have often had the children of people who were successful politicians," she said.
People like Congressman Charlie Bass. He represents New Hampshire's 2nd District and is running for re-election. His father is a former Governor. But even those with a rich history in New Hampshire politics do not have a free ride. Bass has four other challengers in his Republican primary. "Particularly one with a relatively moderate record, like Charlie Bass, have become targets to the more ideological wing of the party," Fowler said.
According to Secretary of State Bill Gardner, 168-thousand voters will hit the polls Tuesday, which is only about 21percent of the overall registered voters in the state. However, the experts say that is actually pretty high compared to primaries in other states.
Analysts say New Hampshire's new Voter ID law, which requires voters to show identification at the polls, could reduce turnout Tuesday. In Vermont 23 percent of voters turned out on primary day.
For more information on the election:
New Hampshire Secretary of State's Office
New Hampshire League of Women Voters
