I love Keene and the Monadnock Region. The quality of life here is wonderful – biking, hiking, lakes, scenery, wildlife. Nature’s aesthetics inspire arts and culture way beyond what one might expect. And Keene’s proximity to major cities within a reasonable driving distance of 1 to 3 hours put us central to New England, Northeastern states, and Canada.

The city is known for its education institutions, for its manufacturing industries, for larger companies such as C&S Wholesale Grocers, insurance companies, optics industries, and its healthcare resources. These organizations add more than just employment opportunities, they support local businesses, nonprofits, and sponsor community events and youth organizations.

Keene is New Hampshire’s 6th largest city, when including towns, Keene is the 9th largest NH community. The region has lost population since the 2008 recession and its employment base has shrunk slightly. As the city prepares for the next decade, the 2030’s, the city needs to address needs for housing, workforce, infrastructure and social services.

The City of Keene is divided into five separate Wards. To view what streets are assigned to each Ward, click on the following link: City of Keene Street Index. You can click here to view a City Ward Map.

Polling hours are 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM in the following locations:

Ward 1: Michael E.J. Blastos Community Room, 400 Marlboro Street (adjacent to Keene Police Department)

Ward 2: Keene Parks & Rec. Dept. 312 Washington Street

Ward 3: Keene Middle School 167 Maple Avenue

Ward 4: Symonds School 79 Park Avenue

Ward 5: Monadnock Covenant Church 90 Base Hill Road

The city council is comprised of 15 councilors and a mayor. The mayor leads the city council meetings but only votes in the event of a tie. Municipal elections for these offices and others take place every 2 years.

Keene has 5 wards and each ward has 2 city councilors who serve for 4 years. Ward councilor terms are staggered, so one ward councilor position is up for election in each election year. There are five at-large councilors who serve 2-year terms. Hence, every two years 10 city councilor positions are up for election. The mayor serves a two-year term and is on the ballot every municipal election.

By charter the mayor has a limited role. The mayor sets the agenda for the City Council, leads their meetings and appoints committee membership. Daily management of city staff, departments and services are the responsibility of a city manager who serves at the discretion of the City Council.

The next city elections will occur on November 7, 2023. Candidates are selected through a primary ballot which will occur on October 3, 2023.