How to vote by mail or vote early in New Hampshire
How to vote by mail or vote early in New Hampshire
New Hampshire only allows absentee voting in specific circumstances, BUT concerns over COVID-19 is a permissible reason for a voter to request an absentee ballot for the 2020 elections!
Voting by Mail
Step 1: Request your absentee ballot
You can find the absentee ballot application here:
https://sos.nh.gov/media/smdjadfe/absentee-ballot-app-2020-covid-fill-in.pdf
Complete the required information
Print, sign the ballot application BY HAND (no digital signatures!), and date it
You may also absentee register to vote remotely in New Hampshire. For more on absentee registration, visit https://sos.nh.gov/elections/voters/register-to-vote/absentee/
Step 2: Return your mail-in or absentee ballot application
Once you've completed your New Hampshire ballot application form, you have 3 options for returning it to your city or town clerk’s office:
Mail it
Fax it
Drop it off in person
You can find your city or town clerk’s address and fax number by selecting your town or city from the drop down menu here: https://app.sos.nh.gov/Public/ClerkDetails.aspx
I could not find a deadline for requesting your absentee ballot in New Hampshire, so TURN IT IN EARLY!
Step 3: Vote and return your ballot
Once you request your absentee ballot, you can track if your application has been processed and your ballot sent to you by visiting: https://app.sos.nh.gov/Public/AbsenteeBallot.aspx
Carefully read and follow the instructions for completing the ballot. Mistakes may prevent your votes from being counted!
Mark your ballot, following the instructions.
Important: When filling out your ballot, completely fill in the oval to the right of your choice on the ballot. If the instructions indicate you may vote for more than one candidate for a particular office, do not vote for more than the number of candidates stated in the instructions. If you vote for more than the stated number of candidates, your vote for that office will not be counted.
Place your ballot in the smaller affidavit envelope. Seal and sign the affidavit envelope. Be sure to sign the declaration, or your ballot may not count.
Place the signed affidavit envelope, containing your voted ballot, inside the larger envelope. (If you are not yet registered and are returning absentee voter registration forms and proof of qualifications, place those documents inside the larger envelope. Do NOT place voter registration documents in the smaller affidavit envelope!)
In the upper left corner of the larger envelope, print the voter’s name, address, and voting place. You can find your voting place here: https://app.sos.nh.gov/Public/PollingPlaceSearch.aspx
You have 2 options for returning your New Hampshire absentee ballot:
Mail it to your city or town clerk’s office. You can find your city or town clerk’s address by selecting your town or city from the drop down menu here: https://app.sos.nh.gov/Public/ClerkDetails.aspx
If you are mailing your ballot, make sure to add postage— New Hampshire does NOT pay for it!
Drop it to your city or town clerk’s office. Make sure to call ahead to find out when the office closes— some offices may close BEFORE the polls on November 3rd, so bring it in early! You can find your city or town clerk’s address by selecting your town or city from the drop down menu here: https://app.sos.nh.gov/Public/ClerkDetails.aspx
Your absentee ballot must be RECEIVED by your city or town clerk (not just postmarked!) by 5:00 PM on November 3rd!
Early voting
The ONLY way to vote early in New Hampshire is by absentee ballot (so see above, if you haven’t already!)
For more information on voting in New Hampshire, including voter registration, visit https://sos.nh.gov/elections/voters/elections-voting-division/
