Portsmouth Council, School Board Races to Shape Out

Portsmouth officials announced Tuesday that the filing period for the November municipal election will open on Aug. 26 at 8 a.m. at City Hall.

City Clerk Kelli Barnaby issued a press release just after noon that races will be held for nine City Council seats, five School Board seats and two Portsmouth Police Commission seats. Incumbent city officials and candidates will have until Monday, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. to file their papers at the city clerk's office.

Barnaby noted that any candidate must be a qualified voter in the City of Portsmouth and have been a city resident for at least two years immediately preceding the election. They also need to submit a $5 filing fee and a petition with at least 50 signatures from qualified city voters.

Barnaby also noted that partisan ward officials such as moderator, clerk, registrar of voters, clerk and selectman will have to declare their candidacy and a filing fee of $1. She said their election is decided by a party caucus.

Barnaby said Ward 2 voting will take place in the Portsmouth Middle School and Ward 4 voting will take place in the Dondero School for the November election.