Last update: Nov 13, 2024 03:36 a.m. EST
Last update: Nov 12, 2024 08:37 a.m. UTC
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These guides are researched, written, and updated by Democracy Works, a non-partisan 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization. The information in these guides originates from official state sources and is reviewed by state election offices. The guides also link to authoritative state and local resources to provide additional information.
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Registration Summary
New Hampshire voters can register in-person, or if they are unable to do so, can contact their clerk directly to request a voter registration form by mail.
Voting Summary
New Hampshire offers absentee ballots by mail to voters who will be unable to vote in person. All other voters are expected to vote in person.
What are key deadlines for the November 2024 election?
Registration deadlines
Absentee ballot deadlines
- Request ballot (received by) : Nov 4 by 12:00 p.m. EST
- Return ballot by mail (received by) : Nov 5 by 5:00 p.m. EST
- Return ballot in person : Nov 4 by 5:00 p.m. EST
Registration Top Actions
Voting Top Actions
Can I register to vote online?
New Hampshire does not offer online voter registration.
How can I check the status of my mail ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot on New Hampshire’s website.
Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?
New Hampshire does not offer by-mail voter registration. However, if you meet the state's requirements and qualifications and are unable to register in person because of physical disability, religious beliefs, military service, or because of temporary absence, you may register by mail. You should request an absentee voter registration affidavit and a standard voter registration form from your town or city clerk or from the Secretary of State's Office. Contact your local election office for more information.
How do election officials keep voting secure?
Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.
Contact the New Hampshire Secretary of State to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.
Can I submit voter registration forms in person?
- You can register to vote in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
- You can also register to vote and cast a ballot in person on Election Day.
- Learn more by visiting the New Hampshire Secretary of State website or contacting your local election office.
How can I check my voter registration status?
You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using New Hampshire's voter registration lookup tool.
Who can register to vote?
To register in New Hampshire you must:
- be a United States citizen
- be domiciled in New Hampshire and the town or ward where you seek to vote. There is no minimum period of time you are required to have lived in the state before being allowed to register. You may register as soon as you move into your new community
- be 18 years of age or older on the day of the next election
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
New Hampshire does offer in person registration on Election Day.
Can I register to vote before I turn 18?
You can register to vote in New Hampshire before you turn 18 if you:
You must be at least 18 years old to vote.
If you have an earlier next election listed for your address here, you may only be eligible to register to vote now if you will turn 18 by that date. Contact your state election official to confirm.
- are 18 on or before your next election, which you can find by entering your address here
- are a United States citizen
- are domiciled in New Hampshire and the town or ward where you seek to vote.
You must be at least 18 years old to vote.
If you have an earlier next election listed for your address here, you may only be eligible to register to vote now if you will turn 18 by that date. Contact your state election official to confirm.
Can I submit a voter registration application online before I turn 18?
No. You cannot register online before you turn 18 in New Hampshire.
Can I submit a voter registration application by mail before I turn 18?
You can only submit a voter registration application by mail if you:
- will be absent from your town or city when the Supervisors of the Checklist meet to receive voter registration applications
- are unable to vote in person because of a physical disability
- cannot appear in person because of observance of a religious commitment
- are a victim of domestic violence and have an active protective order
- are confined to a penal institution awaiting trial or because of a misdemeanor conviction
Contact your city clerk to request an absentee (mail-in) voter registration application.
Can I complete a voter registration application in person before I turn 18?
Yes, you can learn more about registering to vote in person on the New Hampshire Secretary of State website.
You can complete a voter registration application in person at your town hall in New Hampshire.
If you are registering to vote in person, you are required to provide proof of your identity, age, citizenship, and domicile to register.
Acceptable forms of proof of identity and age include:
- driver’s license from any state
- non-driver ID from any state
Acceptable forms of proof of citizenship include:
- birth certificate
- U.S Passport/Passcard
- naturalization document
If you do not have these documents, you can prove your identity, age, and/or citizenship by signing a Qualified Voter Affidavit under oath in front of an election official.
You will also need to prove that your domicile (home) is in the town or ward where you intend to vote. You can find a full list of acceptable forms of proof of domicile on the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s website.
How do I vote in person?
Where can I vote on Election Day?
You can look up where to vote on New Hampshire's site.
Can I vote early?
No, early voting in person before Election Day is not offered in this election. However, you may be eligible to vote an absentee ballot. Find the eligibility requirements for absentee voting and contact your local election office to check if you can visit their office to request and return an absentee ballot in person.
What do I need to bring?
You will be requested to show photo ID to vote in New Hampshire. If you do not have a photo ID, you can prove your identity, age, and/or citizenship, by signing an affidavit, under oath, in front of an authorized election official. New Hampshire law only allows a Moderator, clerk of a town/ward/city, or Supervisor of the Checklist to verify identity. Acceptable forms of ID include (the name on the ID must be substantially similar to the voter registration record and the expiration date cannot exceed five years, except that a voter 65 years of age or older may use an otherwise qualified form of identification without regard to expiration date):
- driver's license from any state
- non-driver's ID issued by the motor vehicle agency of any state
- photo ID card for “voting identification only” issued by NH DMV
- US armed services ID card
- student ID from an accredited college, university, or career school in New Hampshire, a New Hampshire public high school, an accredited private high school in New Hampshire, Dartmouth College, and any college or university operated by the university or community college systems of New Hampshire
- US passport or passcard
If you are registering to vote at the polls on Election Day, you will also need to provide evidence, in paper or electronic form, establishing identity, age, citizenship and domicile. An applicant who does not possess or did not bring evidence with them can fulfill this requirement with an affidavit(s) and must cast an affidavit ballot to vote in the election. Election officials at the polling place will have the affidavits and will instruct you on the additional steps and documentation required to complete the affidavit and ensure your ballot is counted. For proof of citizenship, you can show a birth certificate, US passport or passcard, or naturalization documents, or you can sign an affidavit. You cannot use your New Hampshire driver's license as proof of citizenship. For proof of domicile, you must show an official document that includes your name and address. Acceptable documents include:
- driver's license or non-driver's ID
- document from your school
- note signed by a school official or RA
- residential lease
- deed or property tax bill
- motor vehicle registration
- voter photo ID issued by NH DMV
- public school enrollment
- tax form or other official government form
- form from the US Postal Service (your address cannot be a PO Box)
- utility bill
- note from a homeless shelter that confirms they will receive mail sent to you at their address
- note from the person who owns or supervises the property where you live (applicants in this circumstance may be directed to complete a domicile affidavit)
Find more information about registering in New Hampshire here.
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you can either have your identity verified by a voting official at your voting location, or sign an affidavit and be photographed by a voting official at your voting location before you vote (if you object to being photographed for religious reasons, you can sign an additional affidavit of religious exemption instead). New Hampshire law only allows a Moderator, Clerk, or Supervisor of the Checklist to verify identity. If you are registering to vote on election day and do not have a proof of domicile, you can sign an affidavit. If you filled out a challenged voter affidavit in order to vote on Election Day, you will receive a verification letter from the Secretary of State requesting confirmation that you voted in the election. If you do not respond in writing to the Secretary of State within 30 days of the date it was mailed, the Attorney General will conduct an investigation to determine whether fraudulent voting occurred.
How can I check the status of my ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot on New Hampshire’s site.
Can I vote early?
No, New Hampshire does not offer early voting in person before Election Day. However, you may be eligible to vote an absentee ballot. Find the eligibility requirements for absentee voting and contact your local election office to check if you can visit their office to request and return an absentee ballot in person.
How do I vote by mail?
New Hampshire allows eligible voters to request a mail ballot. All other voters are expected to vote in person. Check to see if you’re eligible to vote by mail on New Hampshire's site.
How do I get my ballot?
Request your mail-in ballot with a mail ballot application.
What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?
If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.
How do I return my ballot?
- Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
- You can return your ballot by mail or by visiting a dedicated drop off location.
- Find a ballot drop off location near you.
- If you choose to return your ballot by mail, the United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends that voters mail their completed ballots at least one week before the due date. Find a USPS location near you.
What do I need to do if I’ve moved?
What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to re-register with your new address.
How do I see what's on my ballot?
View your sample ballot on the New Hampshire Secretary of State's website. Available ballot information may vary depending on the upcoming election.
How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?
Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
- Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
- Send the application to your local election office.
- It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
- Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
- States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election office first. Then:
- You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
- If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in New Hampshire. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov
Which election office should I contact?
- In New Hampshire, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
- The Secretary of State oversees elections and election administration in New Hampshire. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.
How do I contact my local election office?
Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.