Concord Educator Launches Write-In Campaign For Zone C SAU 8 Board Of Education Seat

CONCORD, NH — A candidate who failed to make the ballot due to a voter registration issue is revamping his campaign, attempting to gain the seat by write-in vote.

Aaron Thompson, a college professor who lives on East Side Drive, signed up to run for the Zone C (Wards 8, 9, and 10) seat back in September. At the time he signed up to run, he realized he was not registered to vote at his current address, where he had been living since 2019. Thompson had been a registered voter for more than two decades, but for some reason, was no longer registered. He went to register to vote but did not have proof of citizenship, only residency, he said.

Unfortunately, candidates running for the school board are required to be registered to vote before they sign up.

Thompson said the SAU 8 charter does not explicitly state voter registration must occur before the application or nomination filing deadline. However, legal counsel for the district and the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s Office interpreted the requirement, since his new registration was still being processed at the time of his filing.

The snafu kept him off the ballot and he accepted the rejection of ballot access.

However, during the past two weeks, Thompson has shifted gears and decided to wage a write-in effort for the seat.

“After many conversations with families, neighbors, and colleagues,” he said, “I felt a responsibility to step forward so voters have a genuine choice and a clear vision.”

Thompson, a professor at Keene State College and New England College, said that if elected, he would focus on “student-centered excellence,” specifically on high expectations and equitable opportunities for all students. Educator retention also needed to be a focus, along with recruiting and respecting teachers, as well as supporting their professional development. At the same time, Thompson said he would promote “fiscal transparency and stewardship,” using data-driven budgeting and long-term planning.

As an educator with both special education and physical education backgrounds, Thompson said he would apply his experience to improve inclusive practices, communication, and services, while promoting “whole-child wellness.”

Thompson said he opposed construction of a new Rundlett Middle School and, instead, would prefer to see “taxpayer resources directed toward maintaining and improving our existing infrastructure, strengthening classroom instruction, and providing direct support to teachers and students.”

Also on the ballot is Alexander Dubois, a special education teacher who was featured in this post back in September.

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