Voting in New Hampshire

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The policies governing voter participation are enacted and enforced primarily at the state level. These policies, which include voter identification requirements, early voting provisions, online voter registration systems, and more, dictate the conditions under which people cast their ballots in their respective states.

This article includes the following information about voting policies in New Hampshire:

See Election administration in New Hampshire for more additional information about election administration in the state, including voter list maintenance policies, provisional ballot rules, and post-election auditing practices.

Do you have questions about your elections? Looking for information about your local election official? Click here to use U.S. Vote Foundation’s election official lookup tool.

Voter registration

Eligibility and registration details

Check your voter registration status here.

To register to vote in New Hampshire, each applicant must be a citizen of the United States, an inhabitant of New Hampshire, and at least 18 years old by the next election. Individuals may register to vote at the local clerk's office, with the community's supervisors of the checklist or registrar of voters, or at the polling place on the day of the election. Applicants must fill out a voter registration form and either show proof of identity and citizenship or sign an affidavit witnessed by an election official.[1][2] Absentee registration is allowed for those who are “unable to register in person because of physical disability, religious beliefs, military service, or because of temporary absence.” Absentee registration requires mailing a voter registration form and witnessed absentee voter registration affidavit to the local clerk.[1]


In-person voting

Poll times

See also: State poll opening and closing times

In New Hampshire, polling place hours of operation vary. According to state law, polling places must be open between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Localities may set their own polling hours as long as they are open during those hours prescribed by state law.[3]To search for the hours your polling place is open, click here.

Voter identification

See also: Voter identification laws by state

New Hampshire requires voters to present photo identification while voting.[4]

The following list of accepted ID was current as of November 2022. Click here for the New Hampshire Secretary of State page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.

“
  • Driver’s license issued by any state or federal government;
  • Non-driver ID card issued by NH DMV or motor vehicle agency of another state;
  • Photo ID card for “voting identification only” issued by NH DMV;
  • U.S. armed services identification card;
  • U.S. passport or passcard;
  • NH student ID card (Dated within the past 5 years. Must be from a school on the approval list provided to the Secretary of State each year by the Department of Education.);
  • Photo ID not mentioned above, but determined to be legitimate by the moderator, supervisors of the checklist,

or clerk of a town, ward or city.[5]

”

Additionally, a poll worker may verify the voter’s identity. If anyone authorized to challenge a voter objects to the poll worker’s verification, the voter would have to complete a challenged voter affidavit.[4]

Voters without proper photo identification can complete a challenged voter affidavit. A poll worker will take a photo of the voter and attach it to the affidavit. The voter may then cast a regular ballot. If the voter objects to being photographed for religious reasons, he or she can complete an affidavit of religious exemption, which will be attached to the challenged voter affidavit.[4]

Early voting

See also: Early voting

New Hampshire does not permit early voting.

Absentee/mail-in voting

See also: Absentee/mail-in voting

A voter is eligible to vote absentee in an election if he or she cannot make it to the polls on Election Day for one of the following reasons:[6]

  • The voter will be absent from his or her polling location on the day of the election.
  • The voter is unable to visit the polls because of the observance of a religious commitment.
  • The voter is unable to visit the polls because of a physical disability.
  • The voter is unable to visit the polls because of an employment obligation.
  • The voter is unable to visit the polls due to military service.

There is no specific deadline to apply for an absentee ballot. The completed ballot must be returned either in person by 5:00 p.m. the day before the election or by mail. If returned by mail, the ballot must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Election Day.[6]


Local election officials

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Do you need information about elections in your area? Are you looking for your local election official? Click here to visit the U.S. Vote Foundation and use their election official lookup tool.

Voting rules for people convicted of a felony

See also: Voting rights for convicted felons

In New Hampshire, people convicted of a felony regain their voting rights automatically upon completion of their prison sentence. Felony is defined as, "A crime committed against the laws of this state or of the federal government for which a sentence of death or imprisonment in the state prison or a federal prison or penitentiary." Click here for more information about New Hampshire's policy regarding felony convictions and voting rights.

Voting rights for people convicted of a felony vary from state to state. In the majority of states, people convicted of a felony cannot vote while they are incarcerated but may regain the right to vote upon release from prison or at some point thereafter.[7]


Election agencies

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See also: State election agencies

Individuals seeking additional information about voting provisions in New Hampshire can contact the following state and federal agencies.

Secretary of State

107 North Main Street
Concord, New Hampshire 03301
Telephone: 603-271-3242
Email: elections@sos.state.nh.us

U.S. Election Assistance Commission

633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20001
Telephone: 301-563-3919
Toll free: 1-866-747-1471

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See also

Elections in New Hampshire


External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 New Hampshire Secretary of State, “How to Register to Vote,” accessed April 25, 2023
  2. ↑ New Hampshire Secretary of State, “Register to Vote,” accessed April 25, 2023
  3. ↑ New Hampshire Revised Statutes - Title 63, Chapter 659.4," accessed April 25, 2023
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 State of New Hampshire, "Voter ID Law Explanatory Document," accessed April 25, 2023
  5. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 New Hampshire Secretary of State, "Absentee Ballots," accessed April 25, 2023
  7. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Felon Voting Rights," April 6, 2023
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