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AARP AARP States New Hampshire Voters

How to Vote in New Hampshire's 2024 Elections

Important dates and election information

Key dates

  • Presidential primary: Tuesday, Jan. 23
  • State primary: Tuesday, Sept. 10
  • General election: Tuesday, Nov. 5
First-in-the-Nation Primary Election Underway
Boston Globe/Boston Globe via Getty Images

Voting at a glance

  • Absentee voting: Available to those who can’t vote in person on Election Day because of a disability or illness, work or other acceptable reason.
  • Early voting: New Hampshire doesn’t 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.
  • Voting at the polls: Polls are open from at least 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Bring an acceptable form of photo ID, such as your driver’s license or U.S. passport.

Voting in New Hampshire

What to know about recent changes

Laws that took effect in 2023 may change how you vote in the 2024 elections:

  • The deadline for mailed absentee ballot requests is noon the day before an election. Previously, it was 5 p.m.
  • Voters must mail a copy of their ID within seven days of registering if they’re doing so for the first time on Election Day and do not show their ID at the polls. These voters will receive affidavit ballots that will be counted on Election Day but will be removed if ID is not received by the deadline.

Redistricting in 2022 redrew the boundaries of certain state legislative and U.S. congressional districts.

Voter registration

  • 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 to request a voter registration form. Include a copy of your driver’s license or other valid form of ID when returning your application. 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. 
  • Online: New Hampshire offers online voter registration if a disability, such as blindness, prevents you from filling out a form by hand. Call your city or town clerk to request an accessible online absentee registration form and for information about local deadlines.

Registering to vote on Election Day

You can register to vote at your polling place on Election Day. You will be asked to show proof of your identity, age, citizenship status and residence. If you do not provide your ID at the polls and it’s your first time registering, you will receive an affidavit ballot and must submit a photocopy of your ID within seven days.

Primary voting and party affiliation

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

Ways to vote

Requesting an absentee ballot 

You can vote absentee only for approved reasons, such as a disability or work commitment.

  • By mail: Print 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 to request a mailed application. Absentee ballot requests must be received by noon the day before an election — that’s Monday, Sept. 9, for the state primary. But you’re encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
  • In person: Go to your city or town clerk’s office to apply for a ballot, or print an application from the secretary of state’s website and bring it with you. You can request a mail ballot until 5 p.m. the day before an election.
  • 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.

Returning your absentee ballot

Place your completed ballot 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.

  • By mail: Send your ballot to your city or town clerk with proper postage. 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. the day before an 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.

Voting 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.

Voting at the polls on Election Day

Polls will be open from at least 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the state primary on Tuesday, Sept. 10.

Extended hours vary by location, so check your polling place or contact your city or town clerk. As long as you’re in line before the polls close, you may cast a ballot. 

Voter ID requirements on Election Day

Bring an acceptable form of photo ID, such as your state driver’s license or U.S. passport, to vote on Election Day. Those without ID can sign an affidavit, have their photo taken and proceed to vote.

Voting with a disability 

Each polling place is equipped with an accessible system and voting booth for voters with disabilities. Find more information at the secretary of state’s website.

Voters who need assistance filling in their ballot can receive help from either an election official or someone they choose, as long as that person is not an employer or union official.

You can request to have an absentee ballot and affidavit envelope delivered to your vehicle outside the polling place if you can’t enter because of a disability. Once you’ve completed the affidavit and ballot, an election official will bring them back into the polling place.

More information about candidates

Key races:

  • U.S. President
  • U.S. House: two seats
  • State House: 400 seats 
  • State Senate: 24 seats
  • Governor

Sample ballots are available at the secretary of state’s website.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on Jan. 22, 2024. It has been updated to reflect new information about the 2024 elections.

Elissa Chudwin covers federal and state policy and writes the podcast Today’s Tips from AARP. She previously worked as a digital producer for  The Press Democrat in Santa Rosa, California, and as an editor for Advocate magazines in Dallas.

Also of Interest:

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