Portsmouth’s 2021 Municipal Election Signups Begin Monday

PORTSMOUTH, NH — The municipal campaign season in Portsmouth is about to begin with signups for four different nonpartisan city races.

On Monday, filings will begin for nine city council seats, five school positions, two fire commission slots, and two police commission positions. Candidates can pay $5 to secure ballot access or submit 50 signatures from registered Port City voters.

Candidates running for partisan ward positions — moderator, clerk, selectman, and registrar of voters, will also be accepted. Those candidates pay a $1 filing fee and are decided by party caucus.

The filing period runs through Sept. 13.

Candidates in Portsmouth for 2021: Promote your campaign for free. Fill out this Patch profile before the election and then email a photo to Portsmouth NH Patch Editor Tony Schinella at tony-dot-schinella-at-patch-dot-com.

In order to run, candidates must be registered voters in the city for at least two years immediately preceding the election, according to the city clerk. If elected, none of the candidates can hold any other municipal office.

The city clerk’s office is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday. The office will be closed on Labor Day but open on Sept. 7 until 6 p.m.

For more information, visit the Portsmouth City Clerk’s Office election page, linked here. Questions can also be answered by call 603-610-7208 or via e-mail at cityclerk@cityofportsmouth.com.

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