Voting Underway in 2020 Election

PLYMOUTH, NH (May 21, 2020) – Voting is underway in the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) annual election. As a member-owned, democratic electric cooperative, NHEC members vote each year on the organization’s Board of Directors and proposed bylaw changes. This year NHEC members will vote to fill three seats on NHEC’s Board of Directors.

NHEC members have until Tuesday, June 16, 2020 to return their completed paper ballot or cast their electronic ballot via a secure, online portal. Election results will be announced at the 81st Annual Meeting of Members, to be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 22. Due to ongoing restrictions on public gatherings, the annual meeting will be conducted online, with no physical location. To register to attend the online meeting, please visit www.nhec.com/2020-annual-meeting. All NHEC members are welcome to attend and will be able to interact with presenters.

Five candidates are seeking election this year to three seats on NHEC’s 11-member Board of Directors. Four candidates were selected by the NHEC Nominating Committee, which reviews the qualifications of each candidate and recommends those it feels would best contribute to the successful operation of NHEC. A fifth candidate was nominated by petition, which according to NHEC Bylaws, must be signed by at least 100 current NHEC members.

This year’s candidates selected by the Nominating Committee include Leo Dwyer of Sandwich, Madeline McElaney of Plymouth, Mark Portu of Lincoln, and Harry Viens of Center Harbor. William Darcy of Benton was nominated by petition. NHEC members will receive written statements from the candidates in support of their candidacies along with a ballot.

This year’s ballot also includes a proposed change to NHEC’s Certificate of Organization, which states the purposes for which NHEC was formed. The proposed amendment was submitted by member petition, and seeks to add language to the NHEC Certificate of Organization that would include “facilitating access to broadband internet for members” as a stated purpose of the cooperative. By a vote of 7-3 with one abstention, the NHEC Board of Directors has opposed the proposed change. The statements of proponents and opponents are included on the ballot. Results of the voting will be announced with the Board election results at NHEC’s Annual Meeting on June 22.