Governor Hassan, State Emergency Management Officials Working to Ensure Preparedness in Advance of Election

Press Release

As part of ongoing efforts to maintain public safety, Governor Maggie Hassan and New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) are working to ensure emergency preparedness in advance of next week's election, including coordination with local public safety officials.

"Safe, fair elections are the most fundamental aspect of our robust, citizen-led democracy, and the Department of Safety and Homeland Security and Emergency Management are working with local public safety officials in communities across the state to ensure emergency preparedness in advance of next Tuesday," Governor Hassan said. "There is no specific or credible threat to New Hampshire, but we will continue working with our federal and local partners to exercise extra vigilance at polling places and other large gatherings next week."

In addition to coordinating with local public safety officials to ensure safety at polling places, HSEM is working with the Secretary of State's Office to prepare for potential cyberattacks -- though since New Hampshire uses paper ballots, such a threat is not expected to impact the election. Voting machines in New Hampshire are not connected to the internet and Governor Hassan has focused on strengthening cybersecurity, including establishing the New Hampshire Cybersecurity Integration Center, replacing outdated and less secure computers and computer systems, updating security software, and implementing cybersecurity training for state employees.

"New Hampshire is safest when safety officials and the public work together," HSEM Director Perry Plummer said. "We're asking anyone who sees suspicious activity to say something to local law enforcement or to call 911."

As in past elections, the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office has been working with the New Hampshire Secretary of State and U.S. Attorney's Office -- District of New Hampshire to assure a smooth and fair election is held and also with local law enforcement and federal partners to assure that polling places are safe and orderly.

Following reports of a potential terror threat next week, Governor Hassan and state public safety officials emphasized that there is no specific or credible threat to New Hampshire or of nexus to New Hampshire.

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