Voting in new hampshire

New Hampshire will hold primaries on September 8, 2026 and the general election will be November 3, 2026. 

You can find your polling place and its hours of operation on your town's website or by inputting your address on this page on the NH Secretary of State's website. 

Complete details about registering to vote in New Hampshire can be found  here, on the Secretary of State's website. 

• Voting on Election Day
• Voting in Party Primaries
• Voting by Absentee Ballot
  Note: This is a two-step process: 1) Submit a request for the absentee ballot as early as possible in person at your town hall or download the official application. Absentee ballots will be mailed prior to the primaries and the general election. 2) Return the completed ballot in person or by mail to your town clerk. The deadline to request in person is 5:00 p.m. the day before the election. If you rely on receiving and returning your absentee ballot by mail, you should request your ballot more than two weeks before election day.
• Voting with Disabilities
• Voting for Uniformed and Overseas Voters
• Student Guide to Voting in New Hampshire

Parents, working parents, and other caregivers may be eligible to vote absentee. The official NH absentee ballot application states "For the purposes of this application, the term 'employment' shall include the care of children and infirm adults, with or without compensation" the entire time polls are open.

Yes! Complete details about registering to vote and voting in New Hampshire can found in these handy guides found on the Secretary of State's website.

• A "Pocket Guide" for all New Hampshire voters
• A "Pocket Guide" for New Hampshire voters who recently became citizens
• A "Pocket Guide" for New Hampshire voters who are over 65

Sample ballots are now available on the NH Secretary of State website for the Democratic and Republican primaries on September 8. Click here.

 You know voting is important. We know you're busy and it's hard to find time to research what will be on your ballot and make informed decisions about how to vote. That's why ECHC has prepared brief, balanced, factual profiles for major candidates from both parties in selected races. 

In addition, Citizens Count, a nonpartisan New Hampshire non-profit started in 2009, also offers an easy-to-use tool that allows Granite Staters to select their town (or city and ward) to see a list of what offices will appear on their ballot and all the candidates for each office. Best of all, with one click, you can even dig deeper into the profile for each candidate including their position on specific issues. Consider becoming a Citizens Count member (it's free) to use their Candidate Comparison tool and save your favorite pages. (Note: Citizens Count does not currently have information for county elections.)

Click here  and scroll down to "Elections for voters in my town" to check it out!

Voter Registration

• Effective June 2026, voter rolls are now verified annually in June (rather than once every 10 years), with those registered voters who have not voted for an extended period (generally five years) being sent a letter from the Supervisors of the Checklist that they will be removed from the checklist if they fail to respond timely (though they may re-register). (SB 221) This verification process is in addition to the routine upkeep of the checklist due to notifications of moves, deaths, etc. So if you plan to vote this year (which we hope you will!) you should check your voter registration status on the NH Secretary of State’s website here.
• When registering to vote, the name on your proof of citizenship document (e.g., birth certificate) must match the name on the document you use to prove your identity (e.g., driver’s license). So, if you’ve had a name change due to marriage, etc. you may need to provide additional documentation (such as a marriage license) to link the two names. (HB 1569, effective November 2024).
• If you are eligible to register absentee due to disability or temporary absence, you now need to provide proof of citizenship and age in addition to domicile and identity. (SB 218, effective September 30, 2025)

Voting in Person

• Student IDs are no longer accepted as identification; you must show a government-issued photo ID. A non-driver photo ID is available from the NH Department of Motor Vehicles for $20, or free if a voucher is obtained from your Town/City clerk. This primarily impacts college students, who may lawfully vote in in the NH municipality where they reside while attending school. (HB 323, effective June 2, 2026)

Voting Absentee (if eligible)

• You must now prove your identity to obtain an absentee ballot by showing a government-issued photo ID OR including a copy of your ID OR have your signature on the application notarized. (SB 287, effective September 30, 2025)
• Eligibility remains the same since the last election. 

In addition to voting, we encourage you to make your voice heard even louder by tuning into upcoming elections early, deciding who to support, and actively supporting selected candidates in whatever ways you can. Early and strong support is vital to the candidates, and is a 100% legitimate way for you to put your thumb on the scale to try to ensure your candidate wins. 

1. Share what matters to you with them. Candidates want to know what is on your mind and what matters to the community.
2. Share your support for them with friends, family, neighbors, etc., and explain why you support them (in a way that will resonate with those you’re speaking to, if you can).
3. Host a house party for them. This quintessential New England tradition is really impactful! Voters love the opportunity to engage one-on-one with the candidates in an informal setting. Cast a wide net; it’s particularly important to invite those who may not be familiar with the candidate. 
4. Make a monetary donation, even if it’s a small amount...the number of donors is a closely-tracked metric. Research and polling organizations track donations throughout the election cycle to gauge a candidate’s strength, so donating early helps your candidate not just financially, but in how they appear and represent themselves to the public as opinions are being formed. Recurring monthly donations are also really helpful for the candidates because it helps them plan for expenses and project fundraising needs. 
5. Display their signs in your yard, particularly if it is in a high-visibility location. Wearing campaign buttons or displaying decals also raises awareness of them and the support they have.
6. Volunteer for the campaign. They may need office staff, computer help, parade marchers, postcard writers, canvassers, etc. Every hour helps. 
7.  Tell your friends about these tips for amplifying their vote, too!