University of New Hampshire (UNH) voters arrived at Oyster River High School in dozens to cast their vote for the 2020 election.  

Lines fluctuated from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and poll workers kept things moving.  

When arriving to the polls, voters who were already registered were sent straight to the stand corresponding with the first letter of their last name. They then presented their ID to the worker at the stand and were given their ballot inside of an envelope.  

Voters then waited in the line to fill out their ballots and submitted it into the ballot box before exiting.  

Poll worker and UNH student Lauren Hellman said her experience on Election Day was stressful but worth it. 

“There were a lot less people in-person than I expected. It was a lot less hectic than I expected. There was also a very big young voter turnout compared to other years which was wonderful,” Hellman said. 

Pre-registered in Durham, Hellman cast her vote in between shifts. 

“My own voting process only took about five minutes. It was very quick,” she said.  

UNH student and unregistered voter, Olivia Frost, said the process for unregistered voters took longer than the process for pre-registered voters. 

“I got there [Oyster River High School] around noon and I did same day registration, so I had to wait in a fairly long line. I met a girl who was very nervous because she lost her phone and had no way of proving her domicile,” said Frost. 

Voters registering in person need a photo ID and proof of age, citizenship and domicile, according to the Durham Clerk’s Office. 

“I didn’t have two forms of ID so I had to fill out a special form,” said Frost.  

A voter who does not have an approved photo ID may obtain a free affidavit in order to vote on Election Day, according to the Voter ID Law for the 2012 Explanatory Document for the Durham Clerk’s Office.  

“I was guided by different workers at different stations on where to go to cast my vote. Once I got to the voting booth, I realized I didn’t do any research on local government so I left everything blank except my vote for the president,” said Frost. 

Pre-registered UNH student, Allison Mozzicato, said she walked 1.5 miles to and from the polls in only a sweatshirt. Mozzicato said she doesn’t have a winter jacket with her on campus. 

“Voting is extremely important to me and I’d rather be cold than not vote,” said Mozzicato.