A record turnout is likely in the works for the presidential election on Tuesday, Nov. 4, and area police and poll workers are gearing up for the crowds.

In Hooksett and Pembroke, police will be enforcing a change in the usual traffic patterns at the school buildings where voting takes place. Police in Epsom, Allenstown, Candia and Auburn were not making any changes in traffic pattern, but will be prepared for more traffic than usual.

In Allenstown, poll workers will be available an extra hour in the morning, with hours now starting at 7 a.m., and ending at 7 p.m., for this election only. Parents of Hooksett’s middle school students will have to be aware that voting is likely to make parent-teacher conferences scheduled for that day difficult to get to on time.

“Be patient,” said Hooksett police detective Paul Cecilio. “If you have a parent-teacher conference, get there early. We anticipate a large crowd.”

Cecilio added that there will be message boards and officers to direct traffic. Additional lighting will also be provided so those voting after dark will be able to find their way to the auxiliary parking areas behind Cawley Middle School.

Expect to wait in line.

“If we get an influx of people,” said Cecilio, “it could be all the way to (Route) 28.”

And if you are in line near the time the polls close?

“If your car’s in line (at 7 p.m.),” said Cecilio, “they’re last to vote.”

In Auburn, there will be extra voting booths at Auburn Village School to help manage the crowds, said town clerk Joanne Linxweiler.

“If people are in line waiting to vote at 7 p.m. (closing time),” she said “the moderator will allow those already in line the opportunity to cast their vote.”

In Candia, town clerk Christine Dupere said she is having additional poll workers to help that day, including same-day voter registration. Again, if you are in line by the time the polls close, you will be allowed to vote.

“The moderator and I are doing a lot of advanced planning to keep things running smoothly,” said Dupere,” and I will be holding a training class for all the poll workers and election officials.”

Allenstown Elementary School will be closed that day.

“We will have extra officers on duty,” said Police Chief Shaun Mulholland. “However, there are no plans to change traffic patterns. We do expect parking problems, there is no real way to resolve that issue.”

In Epsom, there will be extra help at Epsom Central School.

“We will be having greeters that will direct people where to go to vote or if they need to register to vote,” said town clerk Dawn Blackwell. “We will be having two check-in tables.”

Traffic pattern changes in Pembroke

Pembroke is making the following changes to the traffic pattern on Election Day:
• Pine Street from Broadway to High Street, westbound only.
• High Street from Pine Street to Maple Street, southbound only.
• Maple Street to Broadway, eastbound only.
• Prospect from Maple to Pine Street, northbound only.

On-street parking will be limited to one side of each affected street. It will be properly posted with no parking signs. The Police Department will have officers at the polls to assist with the new traffic pattern. There will also be personnel on hand to assist with traffic flow in the school parking lot. Extra lighting equipment will be in place to help light the area after dark. School will not be in session on Election Day. Handicap parking will be available.

Traffic pattern changes in Hooksett

In Hooksett, all traffic will enter Cawley School through the entrance off White Hall Road in two lanes approaching the school. All traffic will exit through the rear gate of Cawley onto Farmer Road. Traffic wishing to exit back onto Whitehall Road should use Whitehall Terrace to reverse direction. All other north/south traffic should go to the end of Farmer Road and exit via Londonderry Turnpike (Bypass 28).

Officers will be at Farmer Road and Londonderry Turnpike to assist with traffic should it back up on Farmer Road.