Know Your Rights: Voting in New Hampshire

You have the right to vote in New Hampshire if:

1. You are both a U.S. citizen and a resident of New Hampshire;
2. You will be at least 18 years of age on or before November 5, 2024;
3. You are not currently in prison after being convicted of a crime; and
4. You are registered to vote.

There are a lot of misconceptions about who can and cannot vote in New Hampshire. Let’s be clear — you can vote in New Hampshire if you: 

• Have been previously incarcerated 
• Are transgender 
• Are in college 
• Have a disability 
• Are a recently naturalized citizen 
• Are unhoused

In-person:
You can register to vote in person on Election Day at your polling place, or 6 to 13 days prior to Election Day at your town hall (dates may vary by town).

Online:
Online voter registration is NOT available in NH. Most Granite Staters are required to visit their town or city clerk’s office to register, or can register on Election Day at their polling place.

On Election Day:
Don’t forget: you can still register to vote and cast a ballot at the same time on Election Day!

Simply go to your regular polling place or early voting site to register and vote.

Voters should bring a valid photo ID to vote.

If you do not have proof of any of the requirements to vote (age, ID, citizenship, domicile), you can fill out a form (affidavit) under oath.

You can use the following types of ID to vote per the NH Secretary of State:

• Driver’s license issued by any state or federal government;
• Non-driver ID card issued by NH DMV or motor vehicle agency of another state;
• Photo ID card for “voting identification only” issued by NH DMV;
• United States armed services identification card;
• United States passport or passcard;
• NH student ID card (see more information here);
• A photo ID not mentioned above, but determined to be legitimate by the moderator, supervisors of the checklist, or clerk of a town, ward or city. If any person authorized to challenge a voter does so under this provision, the voter shall be required to fill out a challenged voter affidavit before obtaining a ballot.
• Verification of the voter’s identity by a moderator or supervisor of the checklist or clerk of a town, ward or city (not a ballot clerk). If any person authorized to challenge a voter does so under this provision, the voter shall be required to fill out a challenged voter affidavit before obtaining a ballot.

An acceptable photo ID must have an expiration date or date of issuance. The ID will remain valid 5 years beyond the expiration date unless the voter is 65 or older in which case an acceptable photo ID may be used without regard to expiration date. The name on the ID shall substantially conform to the name on the checklist.

New Hamsphire Abseentee Ballot Rules:

• You cannot appear at any time during polling hours at your polling place because an employment obligation requires you to remain physically at work or be in transit to or from work.
• You are unable to vote in person by reason of physical disability.
• You will be absent on the day of any state election from the county, city, or town in which you are registered to vote.
• You are unable to appear in public on Election Day because of your observance of a religious commitment.

Public Health Considerations:

A person can register and vote by absentee if, based on their own health circumstances, medical authorities advise them to avoid going out in public. This applies to:

• Voters with symptoms of a communicable disease or illness.
• Voters who, due to their own health circumstances, limit public exposure in their day-today life as a preventable measure.

Requesting a Ballot:

Contact or visit your local town or clerk’s office to request an absentee ballot or visit the link here. Be sure to give yourself plent of time in case of delays due to mailing.

The ACLU is strongly committed to protecting everyone’s right to make their political opinions known. But it is important you know the exceptions when it comes to the polls. 

In New Hampshire you may not wear anything that includes passive political speech such as political clothing, pins, or stickers. Voting officials can deny the right to vote to anyone wearing clothing or paraphernalia supporting a candidate or issue on the ballot. 

It was found in Burson v. Freeman, that “some restricted zone is necessary in order to serve the States’ compelling interests in preventing voter intimidation and election fraud.”  

While some issue related clothing can still be worn at the polls, unless you know for sure, we suggest that you be prepared to cover up or remove such clothing. Though you may be permitted to vote, you also risk being turned away. In an election that has been described by many as the most important in our lifetime, we suggest that pragmatism carry the day. 

"Ballot selfie" laws vary state-to-state — but as a result of an ACLU of New Hampshire lawsuit, Granite State voters have the right to take photos of their ballots and to post them on social media.

The New Hampshire Constitution, as amended by the voters of New Hampshire in 1984, requires that all polling places be accessible, and that absentee voting be available to voters who are unable to vote in person.

Per the Secretary of State's website:

• If a voter is unable to enter the polling place, an election official will assist the voter in casting his or her ballot from a vehicle parked curbside using the Absentee Voter procedure. Individuals can only vote absentee in this manner if an unforeseen accessibility issue arises.
• Each polling place is equipped with an accessible voting system to assist voters with a disability to independently and privately mark a ballot at every state election with a federal office on the ballot. The system is called “one4all” and is available for use by any voter.
• A tablet computer attached to a printer allows a voter to independently and privately produce a marked ballot using either audio or an enhanced visual interface. Local election officials provide the voter with instructions on using this system. The ballot will look the same as and be counted in the same manner as all other election-day ballots.
• A voter who needs assistance marking his or her ballot at the polling place may ask the moderator to authorize assistance from an election official or a person of the voter’s choosing.
• Voters with disabilities qualify to vote in any New Hampshire election by absentee ballot. 
• New Hampshire provides an opportunity for individuals with print disabilities to electronically receive and mark their state election absentee ballots. This option for people with print disabilities is available for state elections.

For more information visit the Secretary of State's page about voting with a disability here.

Transgender and gender non-conforming folks have a consitutionally protected right to use their voice to vote in elections in the Granite State. Whether it is your first time voting, registering, or reregistering, it's crucial to know your voting rights and have a plan before you enter the voting booth.

New Hampshire is a same day voter registration state so if you haven't registed by Election Day you can do so at your local polling location when you go to vote. If you don't have any identification or documentation with you on Election Day, you can also sign a written affidavit confirming your identity. 

For more, in-depth information on transgender and gender non-conforming voting rights visit our know your rights page here.

If you are currently or formerly incarcerated you can vote if:

• If you are on parole or probation.
• As soon as you are no longer in jail or prison for a felony. Even if you have only been out for a single day.
• If you are in jail and awaiting trial for any charge, you can vote by absentee ballot.

Your Rights

• It’s illegal to intimidate voters and a federal crime to “intimidate, threaten, [or] coerce … any other person for the purpose of interfering with the right of [that] other person to vote or to vote as he may choose.” 

Examples of Voter Intimidation

• Aggressively questioning voters about their citizenship, criminal record, or other qualifications to vote. 
• Falsely representing oneself as an elections official. 
• Displaying false or misleading signs about voter fraud and related criminal penalties. 
• Other forms of harassment, particularly harassment targeting non-English speakers and voters of color. 
• Spreading false information about voter requirements. 
  • You do not need to speak English to vote.
  • You do not need to pass a test to vote. 

What To Do if You Experience Voter Intimidation

• Report intimidation to the Attorney General’s hotline at 866-868-3703 or the ACLU of New Hampshire at 603-333-2201.

If you run into problems at the polls, have voting questions, or feel that your rights have been violated the polls, call the Attorney General’s hotline at 866-868-3703 or the ACLU of New Hampshire at 603-333-2201.

The ACLU of New Hampshire may be able to help with inquiries related to treatment at the polls, absentee voting, or early voting — request legal help here.