How to vote in New Hampshire
On this page
- Voter registration deadline (online): N/A
- Voter registration deadline (by mail): 6-13 days before Election Day
- Voter registration deadline (in person): Election Day
- Ballot request deadline (online): N/A
- Ballot request deadline (by mail): Received by 1 day before Election Day
- Ballot request deadline (in person): 1 day before Election Day
- Ballot return deadline (by mail): Received by Election Day
- Ballot return deadline (in person): Received by Election Day
New Hampshire voter registration guide
- Register to vote (online): N/A
- Register to vote (by mail): 6-13 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (in person): Election Day
- If you can't remember if you're registered to vote, or you want to make sure your information is correct, you can check your New Hampshire registration using the New Hampshire voter registration lookup site.
- If you're not registered to vote, or you need to update your voter registration information, follow the instructions below.
To register in New Hampshire you must:
- be a citizen of the United States
- be 18 years old by Election Day
- be a resident of New Hampshire and be a resident of the town or city within New Hampshire that you are registering to vote
- not be incarcerated for a felony.
New Hampshire does not have online voter registration.
- New Hampshire strongly prefers that you register to vote in person. Luckily, you can both register and vote at your polling place on Election Day.
- If you cannot register to vote in person, call your local election office and ask them to mail you a New Hampshire Voter Registration Form. This form is not available online.
- Once you get the New Hampshire voter registration form, fill it out completely and send it back to the address on the form.
- If you have any questions, please contact your local election office.
- Contact your local election office to find where to register to vote in person.
Bring your New Hampshire driver's license or state ID card. If you don't have one, bring an acceptable document with your name, age and address OR sign an affidavit.
- Summary: New Hampshire has Election Day registration. You can register and vote on Election Day.
- Where to go:
Go to your designated voting location. Click here to find out where to vote.
- What to bring:
Bring your New Hampshire driver's license or state ID card. If you don't have one, bring an acceptable document with your name, age and address OR sign an affidavit.
- Need help? Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Voting rights are restored immediately upon release from prison unless you were convincted of treason, bribery, or willful violation of election law.
- You cannot vote while incarcerated.
- You can vote while on parole.
- You can vote while on probation.
- You can vote upon completion of your sentence.
- No financial obligations.
- Please visit Restore Your Vote for additional information.
New Hampshire absentee and mail ballot guide
Absentee ballots and mail ballots are the same thing, and the process for getting one is straight forward.
- Request your ballot by the deadline
- Receive your in ballot in the mail
- Return your ballot by the deadline
- Earliest day to apply: January 1
- Request deadline (online): N/A
- Request deadline (by mail): Received by 1 day before Election Day
- Request deadline (in person): 1 day before Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (by mail): Received by Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (in person): Received by Election Day
You can vote by absentee ballot in New Hampshire if:
- you will be absent from your county on Election Day
- you cannot appear in public on Election Day because of religious observances
- you are unable to vote in person due to a disability
- you cannot appear during the designated polling hours because of employment obligation or childcare.
New Hampshire does not allow you to request your ballot online.
- Download the New Hampshire absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Print the application.
- Sign and date your application. This is very important.
- Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
- If it’s close to the deadline, call your local election office and see if they will let you submit your application via email or fax.
- Your application must be received by 1 day before Election Day.
- Visit your local election office.
- Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Sign and date your application.
- The deadline to apply in person is 1 day before Election Day.
- Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
- Sign and date the outside envelope.
- Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your local election office.
- If you mail your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.
- ID required when requesting a mail-in ballot:
The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.
- ID required when returning a mail-in ballot:
Your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected.
Track your ballot here: New Hampshire absentee ballot tracker
Ballot curing is the process of resolving any problems with your absentee or mail ballot to ensure that your vote is counted. After tracking your ballot, contact your local election office to fix any issues that have been noted.
- Your ballot will be rejected if your signature is missing or if your signature does not match the one on your absentee ballot application.
- You must make corrections by 5:00 pm on Election Day for your vote to count.
Some states have special procedures that allow you to obtain an emergency ballot if a medical or other emergency occurs after the standard absentee ballot application window.
Emergency Ballot Rules
You can request an emergency absentee ballot if you are an emergency service worker who is called to duty after NOON on the Friday before Election Day. The secretary of state, the attorney general, and the department of safety will make reasonable efforts to ensure that you have any necessary absentee forms, affadavits and any other material needed to cast your vote.
Dates & Deadlines
- Emergency ballot request ends Monday before Election Day
- Emergency ballot return deadline is Election Day
Contact your local election office
New Hampshire early voting guide
- Early voting starts: N/A
- Early voting ends: N/A
You must show valid photo ID issued by any state or the Federal Government, a tribal ID, an in-state student ID, or any other photo ID that shows your name and an expiration date. You can show an expired ID as long as it expired less than 5 years ago, or as long as you are over 65 years old. If you don't have a photo ID, you can still vote if a clerk, moderator or supervisor vouches for you or if you sign a "challenged voter affidavit" and must have your picture taken. If you are unable to have your picture taken due to religious beliefs, you may sign an affidavit of religious exemption.
New Hampshire voter ID guide
You must show valid photo ID issued by any state or the Federal Government, a tribal ID, an in-state student ID, or any other photo ID that shows your name and an expiration date. You can show an expired ID as long as it expired less than 5 years ago, or as long as you are over 65 years old. If you don't have a photo ID, you can still vote if a clerk, moderator or supervisor vouches for you or if you sign a "challenged voter affidavit" and must have your picture taken. If you are unable to have your picture taken due to religious beliefs, you may sign an affidavit of religious exemption.
The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.
Your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected.
New Hampshire does not have online voter registration.
Bring your New Hampshire driver's license or state ID card. If you don't have one, bring an acceptable document with your name, age and address OR sign an affidavit.
Local election office
Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Statewide election office
This is the statewide agency that is ultimately responsible for New Hampshire elections. You can contact them with questions, but your local election office will probably respond faster.
New Hampshire Secretary of State’s Office Elections Division State House, Room 204 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301