Raymond Voter Information Project

Press Release - 12 December 2009

Press Contact - Colleen West-Coates, (603) 895-9444

The Raymond Voter Information Project, or Raymond VIP, is hard at work on its major project, producing a voter information guide to this year’s March town and school election.

Providing voters with straightforward, objective information about warrant articles, candidates, and the basics of how to participate in elections in town are the goals of this diverse group. While members have an array of personal viewpoints, within the organization they are committed to focusing on providing objective voter information, and to neither support nor oppose any political party, candidate, or warrant article.

The group, led by an executive board consisting of president, Carolyn Matthews, vice president Kimberlee Tyndall, secretary Marilyn Elliot, treasurer, Marilyn Semple, and at-large member Leslie O’Donnell, recently appointed an editorial committee to oversee the creation and publication of its voter information guide.

“Reporters” will analyze warrant articles, seek views on both sides of the issue, and explain the consequences of a yes or no vote. This information will then be submitted to the editorial committee chaired by Marilyn Semple and including Linda Hoelzel and Leslie O’Donnell, to evaluate for confusing, incomplete, or biased information. “We’ll make every effort to present the pros and cons of each article, so a voter can analyze each issue based on its merits,” Semple said.

The resulting information will be included on the Raymond VIP website, and the group also hopes to publish a voter information guide mailed to local households. Candidate interviews will be included as well.

Through its voter guide and website, Raymond VIP members hope to improve citizen access to comprehensive and objective information about warrant articles and candidates for public office, as well as encourage participation in Raymond’s Deliberative Sessions and elections, and in seeking local public office.

“Raymond VIP encourages you to plan now to sign up and run for public office, and to attend Deliberative Sessions on January 30th (school district) and February 6th (town), and to cast your ballot on March 9th,” said Matthews.

Raymond VIP is registered with the state of New Hampshire and with the Town of Raymond as a nonprofit corporation. Membership is open to any registered voter in Raymond, and new members are welcome.