Local forum to give voters direct access to state House candidates
The Manchester NAACP Economic Justice Committee will convene a candidate forum on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the Manchester City Library auditorium to give residents a chance to hear directly from contenders for state House seats that represent large portions of the city.
Doors will open at 5 p.m., and the forum is scheduled to run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Candidates invited to participate represent New Hampshire House Districts 23, 24, 40 and 41, which collectively include Manchester Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11 and 12. The event is free and open to the public.
Organizers say the forum is intended to provide Manchester voters with substantive information as they prepare for the Sept. 8 primary, when party nominees will be chosen to advance to the November general election. A candidate must win the primary to appear on the November ballot.
How the forum will work and how to take part
The Manchester NAACP has invited participating candidates to respond to a set of prepared questions and has committed to equal time for each candidate. The Economic Justice Committee is also soliciting questions from the public; residents who wish to submit questions must do so by Aug. 15 via email to manchestercandidateforum2026@gmail.com.
- What: Manchester NAACP Economic Justice Committee Candidate Forum
- When: Tuesday, Aug. 25 — Doors 5 p.m.; Forum 5:30–7:30 p.m.
- Where: Manchester City Library auditorium
- Who: Candidates for NH House Districts 23, 24, 40 and 41
“The NAACP is a nonpartisan organization and does not endorse candidates for public office,” the announcement said.
The forum is organized by the Economic Justice Committee of Manchester’s NAACP branch, which focuses on economic issues affecting the city’s residents. By limiting participation to House districts that cover Manchester wards, the event aims to keep the discussion directly relevant to city voters.
Local stakes and context
New Hampshire’s state House — one of the largest legislative bodies in the nation — plays a central role in setting policy that affects municipal operations, education funding, health services and local taxes. For Manchester voters, the primary determines which candidates will appear on the November ballot and ultimately represent the city’s neighborhoods in Concord.
Because the NAACP forum asks candidates to address prepared questions and provides equal time, residents can expect measured exchanges that highlight where candidates stand on issues rather than unstructured debate. The call for public questions gives voters a direct avenue to influence the topics discussed.
| Primary date | Forum date | Submission deadline for public questions |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 8, 2026 | Aug. 25, 2026 | Aug. 15, 2026 |
Manchester residents seeking to make an informed choice in the September primary can use the forum to compare candidates’ positions on issues that affect city life. Observers say local forums often influence turnout and voter understanding in the weeks before early voting and Election Day.
Attendance is expected from residents across the affected wards; organizers have emphasized that the event is open to all and that the NAACP’s nonpartisan stance means it will not endorse any candidate. For those unable to attend in person, the library sometimes offers remote viewing options for public events, though the announcement did not specify whether the forum will be streamed.
Voters with questions for contenders should email them to manchestercandidateforum2026@gmail.com by Aug. 15 to be considered for inclusion.
