To the editor:

In 1946, in the immediate aftermath of World War II, my father, an adult Army veteran born in the town of Portsmouth, went to the town clerk’s office with a question about participation in the town meetings. He was greeted there by Arthur A. Sherman (yes, he of the baseball field), who helped him establish himself and be a full participant in the meeting. 

When I was a younger I found a national magazine from the 1920s in which that same Arthur Sherman was recognized as one of the leading Republicans in the country. I know therefore that for at least 100 years the town of Portsmouth has had bipartisan elections. I know from personal experience that during my time both Republicans and Democrats always put the town first before any other allegiance. 

Apparently it turns out we have been doing it wrong the whole time. A brandy new council person has suggested we move to nonpartisan elections, which apparently were conducted with great success in the community from which she came to Portsmouth some six years ago. In fact, she has mentioned the virtues of that community and suggested our town of Portsmouth follow suit. 

I continually wonder therefore why she left that utopian community, but that’s for another time. This year will be a very difficult budget year. The council has already level-funded all grants which is likely an appropriate response at this time. Nonetheless the council has decided that we are in mortal peril of our democratic soul if we do not quickly have our elections made nonpartisan. 

It should be noted that in about two years, the 10-year review of our charter takes place and that the charter review recommendations are reviewed by the council and then normally voted upon at a regular General Election. The current proposal is to have a special election to determine the electoral future of the town. This is a  totally needless expense in a difficult financial year and a totally inappropriate process which does not have vetting by a charter review nor by the council. It also calls for a special election that is normally dominated by special interest. Please contact the entire Town Council and tell them that this is wrong.

Charles Levesque

Portsmouth

Editor’s note: The Town Council voted 4-3 on March 24 to ask voters in the next election whether the town should switch to nonpartisan elections for council and School Committee. There is no special election scheduled in advance of the 2026 general election at this time, but if one is called at some point the question will go on that ballot.