Voter Registration in New Hampshire
New Hampshire voter registration is required in order to cast ballots in any election held in the state. New Hampshire requires voters to meet certain guidelines in order to be eligible to register to vote including things like age and residency status. The laws mandating registration to vote and the guidelines, which must be met serve to protect the sanctity of elections held on all levels of government: state, local, and federal. New Hampshire residents complete their registration in person at one of several location options.
The criteria to qualify for voter registration in New Hampshire include being able to prove United States citizenship, as well as state residency and age verification. There are some circumstances that disqualify residents from voting in New Hampshire. Read the article below to find out more about the registration process.
Who can register to vote in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire residents wishing to register to vote are required to meet certain basic criteria in order to qualify for access to a ballot. Those guidelines that must be met are as follows:
- Citizenship – You must prove that you are a United States citizen in order to register to vote in New Hampshire.
- Age – Additionally, you must attain the age of 18 by the time of the next election in which you plan to cast a ballot.
- Criminal Record – Those currently incarcerated on a felony conviction are not allowed to vote. However, once you are released, on parole or on probation, your voting rights are automatically restored. You must re-register to vote, however.
- Residency – You must be a legal resident of New Hampshire in order to cast your vote there.
- While you may only obtain a voter registration card in the town in which you live, there is no minimum amount of time that you must have lived there in order to become eligible for voter registration.
New Hampshire Voter Registration Deadline
The final day on which to register to vote in New Hampshire is the day upon which the Supervisors of the Checklist set their meeting. They are required by law to meet between six and thirteen days prior to any primary or general election.
Check with the clerk’s office in your town or city to find out the day of the meeting. If you miss this date for registration you may register on the day of primary or general elections if you are eligible.
How to Register to Vote in New Hampshire
Registering to vote in New Hampshire can happen in several ways for residents. The first is at the office of the clerk in your city or town. Once there you must provide proof of your age, citizenship, and your residency in that particular town or city.
The second option available to you is during the Supervisors of the Checklist meeting which takes place in your community anywhere from six to 13 days prior to any primary or general election day. Your local clerk’s office will have details on precisely when the meeting is to take place.
The final option is at your polling station. You may register to vote there on the day of the election. You will be required to provide proof of your age and citizenship as well as proof of your residency in that voting district. A New Hampshire ID card or driver’s license can help you prove your identity when it comes time to register or vote.
To confirm your voter registration status, you may confirm the details of your information online at the New Hampshire state voter information look-up. To check on your status you will need to enter your:
- Town or city of residence
- Full name
- Date of birth
Early Voting in New Hampshire
New Hampshire does not have early voting without a valid excuse.
New Hampshire Voter Registration for Active Duty Military and Out-Of-State Residents
New Hampshire residents who wish to register to vote while they serve in the United States Armed Forces or who live overseas may do so using the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP). This permits people to both request an absentee ballot and register at the same time by using the Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request Federal Post Card Application Form (FPCA).
You will need to submit this form for each election you are either in the military or living abroad or to change voter registration information such as names or addresses. You can obtain FPCA forms:
- Online
- By email
- By fax
- By regular postal service
You can request and/or complete the application online by visiting the FVAP website.
New Hampshire Voter Registration for Absentee Voting
New Hampshire residents who are eligible and wish to register to vote and cast an absentee ballot may do so using the same procedure for those in the military or living overseas.
How to Change Your Voter Registration in New Hampshire
If you moved within the same ward and need to change your voter registration information in New Hampshire you can do so in one of three ways. You may do any of the following so long as you remain in the same ward:
- You can change your address at the Supervisors of the Checklist meeting which takes place from six to 13 days before an election.
- You may confirm the date of this meeting with your local clerk’s office.
- You can change your address or information through your local clerk’s office at least 6 to 13 days before an election.
- You may also change your address or other information at your polling station on the day of the election with the Supervisors of the Checklist.
Remember that if you need to change your name or information on your voter’s registration, you should also change it on other important documents, like on your drivers license.