The information contained in this article is not intended as legal advice and may no longer be accurate due to changes in the law. Consult NHMA's legal services or your municipal attorney.
Welcome to Up Close and Personal, a regular column in New Hampshire Town and City designed to give readers a closer look at NHMA Board members. This issue features Tom Seymour, Town & School Moderator of Hill and NHMA Board Member.
What are your duties and responsibilities as Town & School Moderator?
My primary duties and responsibilities are to oversee the election processes in town and to facilitate the Annual Town & School District Business Meetings.
What was your biggest challenge in performing your duties?
My biggest challenge in performing my duties is tracking and implementing the ever-changing New Hampshire state laws that govern the election processes.
How has NHMA helped you to do your job?
NHMA is a huge resource and an excellent repository of accurate information. NHMA’s guideline documents and publications are a “must have” for virtually any municipal position.
Give us an example of a problem you solved or a dilemma you faced and overcame in the line of duty?
This is my first year as Moderator, so I have yet to encounter any problems. Though in my years a Selectman the dilemmas are too numerous to mention.
What is the public perception about your job and how does it differ from the reality of your job?
Public perception of a Moderator’s duties tends to be based on what is seen firsthand which can be quite superficial. The reality tends to be far more complex with responsibilities extending beyond placing ballots into the ballot box. Satisfying the ever-changing NH state requirements and generating the mandated supporting documentation for the state can be quite detailed and time consuming in our hand count town.
Tell us a story about an unusual experience you have had while doing your job.
During the last Presidential election, an individual came in on voting day to register as a new voter. Unfortunately, he had no documentation with him to confirm his identity, residence, or citizenship. This was a first for our town. Recent changes in state law governing voter affidavits created some confusion as to how to proceed. Strangely, in the short time it took to identify the state forms he would need to fill out, the individual changed his mind and left the polling place.
Has your public position changed you personally?
Most definitely. No matter the issue or complaint, everyone has a story to tell, and it pays to actively listen. Empathy and patience have been critical
tools as Moderator and in my various positions in town government. I find myself applying these same tools to a greater extent in my personal life.
Has your job changed the way you look at the role of government?
Absolutely. I have served my town in a number of positions for more than a decade and my experience suggests that government’s role is more about assistance than enforcement. Government needs to spend more of its time helping its constituents succeed in their efforts whenever and wherever possible.
What lessons about human nature have you learned in your municipal role?
A person’s perception is their reality. The perception may not be factual, but to the person whose perception it is, the perception is their belief.
What advice would you give someone who would like to follow in your footsteps into this job?
I am passing on this bit that was given to me on my first day in town government years ago. “This job is only a difficult as you choose to make it.”
Do you dislike any aspects of your job? Which ones? Why?
Being a hand-count ballot town, the hours can get quite long. With less than 1,200 total residents and less than 800 registered voters, getting and
keeping volunteers is extraordinarily difficult. As a result, all election officials work very long election days.
Given the opportunity, what changes would you make to the position?
I would permit the start of absentee ballot processing (not counting) in advance of voting day to help expedite the process. The one4all voting tablets
would be released to every town free of charge where taxpayer dollars paid for them.