En español | New Hampshire’s Sept. 13 primaries will determine which candidates appear on November’s general election ballot for governor, U.S. House and Senate, and state legislature.

What's new this year?

Changes could be coming to how you vote in the 2022 elections, with lawmakers considering legislation that could affect the absentee voting process, among other proposals.

An approved redistricting plan has redrawn the boundaries of certain state legislative districts and may affect which candidates appear on your ballot. Note that the state Senate map is being challenged in court, so its boundaries could change again. The U.S. congressional redistricting map has not yet been approved.

Essential info:

• Absentee voting: Absentee ballots are available to people who can’t vote in person because of a disability, work, caregiving commitment or other acceptable excuse. 
  
• Early in-person voting: New Hampshire does not offer formal early in-person voting. But if you qualify for an absentee ballot, you can cast one early at your city or town clerk’s office. 
  
• In-person voting on Election Day: The state’s primary election is Tuesday, Sept. 13; the general election is Tuesday, Nov. 8. All polling sites are open between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., but some locations may offer extended hours. 

How do I register to vote?

By mail: Registration by mail is available if you have an approved reason for not doing so in person, such as a religious observance or disability. If you qualify, call your city or town clerk and ask that a registration form be mailed to you. Include a copy of your driver’s license or other valid form of ID. You will need a witness to sign your absentee-voter registration affidavit. Check with your city or town clerk for local deadlines.

In person: Fill out a voter registration form at your city or town clerk’s office. You’ll need to show various forms of ID proving your name, age, citizenship status and where you live, such as a driver’s license and U.S. passport. A full list of acceptable IDs is available on the secretary of state’s website.

You can also register to vote at your polling place on Election Day. But registration deadlines before the election vary by community and will be somewhere between six and 13 days before Election Day. Check with your city or town clerk for local deadlines.

Online: New Hampshire offers online voter registration only if blindness or another disability prevents you from filling out a form by hand. Call your city or town clerk to request an electronic absentee form and for information about local deadlines. 

Does my party affiliation matter when I vote in the primaries?

Yes. You can only vote in the primary of the party with which you are registered.

If you’re an undeclared voter, you can choose to vote in the Democratic or Republican primary, but not both. After the election you’ll remain a registered member of that party unless you fill out a request to return to undeclared status, which you can do before leaving your polling place.

May 31 is the last day to change your party affiliation before the primary. After the primary you can update your voter information or change your party up to and on Nov. 8 — Election Day.

How can I get an absentee ballot? Are there important deadlines?

You can vote absentee only for approved reasons, such as a disability or work commitment. Absentee-ballot requests must be received by 5 p.m. on Sept. 12 for the primary and by 5 p.m. on Nov. 7 for the general election. But you’re encouraged to apply for an absentee ballot as soon as you know you’ll need it.

• By mail: Print out an application from the secretary of state’s website, then complete and mail it to your city or town clerk’s office. You can also call your city or town clerk and ask that an application be mailed to you.

• In person: Go to your city or town clerk’s office to apply for a ballot, or print out an application from the secretary of state’s website and bring it with you.

• Online: Only voters who are unable to fill out a printed form due to a disability, such as blindness, may request an accessible absentee ballot online. If you qualify, you may receive and mark the ballot electronically and may return it to your city or town clerk by mail, in person or by using a delivery agent. Contact your city or town clerk for more information.

Once you receive and complete your ballot, place it in the inner envelope and sign the affidavit on the outside. If you have a disability and received assistance, the person who helped you must sign an acknowledgment that appears on the absentee-ballot application and on the affidavit. Seal the inner envelope before placing it in the outer mailing envelope. If you’re including absentee-voter registration forms and proof that you qualify, place those documents in the outer envelope before you seal it.

How can I return my absentee ballot?

• By mail: Send your ballot to your city or town clerk. Postage is not provided, so you’ll need to add your own. It must be received by 5 p.m. on Election Day.

• In person: Hand-deliver your ballot to your city or town clerk by 5 p.m. on Sept. 12 to vote in the primary and by 5 p.m. on Nov. 7 to vote in the general election. On Election Day, absentee ballots will be accepted only by mail or from a delivery agent, such as an immediate family member, until 5 p.m. Your delivery agent may be asked to show ID and fill out paperwork to deliver your ballot.

Track your absentee ballot through the state’s voter information portal.

Can I vote in person before Election Day?

If you qualify for an absentee ballot, you can cast an in-person absentee ballot at your city or town clerk’s office. The deadline is 5 p.m. on Sept. 12 to vote in the primary and 5 p.m. on Nov. 7 to vote in the general election. 

When is Election Day? When are polls open?

The primary election is Tuesday, Sept. 13, and the general election is Tuesday, Nov. 8. Polls are open between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., but extended hours vary by location. Check your polling place or contact your city or town clerk’s office for exact hours.

You may cast a ballot as long as you were in line before polls closed.

Do I need identification to vote?

You’ll need an acceptable form of photo ID, such as a driver’s license or U.S. passport, to vote on Election Day. The secretary of state’s website has a full list of acceptable forms of ID. If you don’t have one with you, you can sign an affidavit, have your photo taken and proceed to vote.

What races are on the ballot?

• Governor
• U.S. Senate: the seat currently held by Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan
• U.S. House: both seats
• State Senate: all 24 seats
• State House: all 400 seats
• State Executive Council: five seats
  

Editor’s note: This guide was updated on May 19 with information about voting in New Hampshire. The guide was first published on Aug. 5, 2020.

Also of Interest

• Follow AARP's political coverage at aarp.org/elections  
• Keep up with local events and AARP advocacy efforts at states.aarp.org/new-hampshire