Election Day Slap Stuns Poll Site

A woman showing her ID to a man at a voting station

A New Hampshire man was charged after video showed him striking an 18-year-old Turning Point Action volunteer outside a polling place.

Story Highlights

Police charged a 70-year-old Laconia resident after a slap at a polling site.
Video shared online appears to show a backhand to the teen’s face.
Laconia’s police chief said the strike appeared intentional.
The teen and his brother described the exchange and aftermath on television.

Police Charge 70-Year-Old After Election Day Confrontation

Laconia police charged 70-year-old resident Stephen Redic with misdemeanor simple assault and disorderly conduct after an Election Day confrontation outside Woodland Heights Elementary School. The incident involved 18-year-old Turning Point Action volunteer Rainer Vesey. Police acted the next morning after reviewing reports and available footage. Local reporting identified the location, people involved, and charges. Officials said the case will move through the local court process under New Hampshire law.

Footage circulating online appears to show Redic striking Vesey across the face with the back of his hand during a tense exchange. The clip shows sharp words before the contact and then shows the teen reacting to the hit. Turning Point Action shared the video on social media, which helped drive attention to the case. The sequence seen in the clip matched key parts of the police account quoted in local coverage of the incident.

Police Describe Intentional Contact; Name, Timing, and Place Align

Laconia Police Chief Matt Canfield told local media the discussion became heated before Redic struck the Turning Point representative and that the act appeared intentional. Reports place the confrontation at Ward 5 outside Woodland Heights Elementary School on Election Day. They also list the people involved by name and age. Coverage states police reviewed the matter quickly and brought charges the following day, consistent with typical misdemeanor handling in such cases.

New Hampshire station coverage reported Redic’s public statement that the video only showed part of the story, and that he apologized, calling his actions inexcusable. That reporting confirms police involvement, the nature of the charge, and Redic’s acknowledgment of wrongdoing. The acknowledgment does not decide the legal case, but it adds clear context about the event’s seriousness and the public reaction that followed the viral clip.

Turning Point Brothers Recount Exchange and Aftermath

Rainer Vesey and his brother Asher spoke on national television about the incident. They described a discussion that began with economic ideas, shifted to taxes on wealthy people, and then escalated. They said Rainer told Redic he did not seem to know much, Redic replied with a vulgar phrase about identity, and then delivered the slap. They said they pursued charges and hoped the case would deter future political aggression at the polls.

“If he is watching this, Steven, we forgive you.” 18-year-old Turning Point member Asher was backhanded in the jaw by 70-year-old Steven Reddick outside a New Hampshire polling site — caught on camera — yet he says he holds no ill will, even while pressing charges.

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— Truth Social (@truthsocial) November 9, 2026

Independent reporting notes that incidents around polling places can draw strong emotions, even when most voters are peaceful and respectful. National tracking shows threats and harassment toward election workers have drawn concern in recent cycles, though those datasets focus on officials, not advocacy volunteers. That context helps explain why local police responded quickly and why court action can reinforce a simple rule: debate is welcome, violence is not.

Why This Matters for Voters and Free Speech

Election Day is a time for open engagement, not force. The right to speak, persuade, and advocate at lawful distances from polling places is part of civic life. When an adult strikes a teen over politics, it chills speech and discourages participation. Quick police action and clear charges signal that communities will protect peaceful volunteers and voters. The case also reminds citizens to challenge ideas with facts and votes, never with hands.