How to vote in New Hampshire
New Hampshire voter registration guide
New Hampshire voter registration deadlines
- Register to vote (online): N/A
- Register to vote (by mail): Received 14 days before Election Day (may vary, please confirm with your local election office)
- Register to vote (in person): Election Day
Check your New Hampshire voter registration status
- 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.
New Hampshire voter registration rules
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 online voter registration
New Hampshire does not have online voter registration.
New Hampshire by-mail voter registration
- New Hampshire strongly prefers that you register to vote in person.
- If you cannot register to vote in person, call your local election official 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 official.
New Hampshire in-person voter registration
- 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 with you. If you don't have one, bring ONE photo ID that shows your name, and ONE document that shows your name and New Hampshire address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.
New Hampshire same day registration
- Summary: New Hampshire has same 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.
Registering to vote in New Hampshire with a felony conviction
If you have been convicted of a felony and would like to register to vote, please visit Restore Your Vote. They will help you determine your eligibility and guide you through the process.
New Hampshire absentee and mail ballot guide
New Hampshire absentee ballot overview
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
New Hampshire absentee deadlines
- Earliest day to apply: January 1
- Request deadline (online): N/A
- Request deadline (by mail): Received 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
New Hampshire absentee ballot rules
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 online ballot request
New Hampshire does not allow you to request your ballot online.
New Hampshire by-mail ballot request
- 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 1 day before Election Day .
New Hampshire in-person ballot request
- 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 .
After you receive your ballot
- 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.
New Hampshire absentee ballot ID requirements
- 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.
New Hampshire early voting guide
New Hampshire early voting dates
- Early voting starts: N/A
- Early voting ends: N/A
What to bring
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
ID requirements for voting in person
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.
ID requirements when requesting an absentee or mail ballot
The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.
ID requirements when returning an absentee or mail 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.
ID requirements to register to vote online
NH does not have OVR
ID requirements for same day 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
External resources
- New Hampshire voter status lookup
- New Hampshire absentee ballot tracker
- New Hampshire polling place locator