NH Secretary Of State Issues Important Election Reminders Ahead Of 2025 Municipal, Special Elections

CONCORD, NH — With municipal and special elections just a week away, New Hampshire Secretary of State David M. Scanlan reminds voters and those eligible to register to vote of the requirements.

Poll hours vary by community. Voters should check their city clerk’s website before the election to find their polling location and hours.

Required documents

To register to vote, an individual must be a United States citizen, at least 18 years old by the date of the election, and have their primary residence (domicile) in the city ward they wish to register in.

When registering, individuals will need to demonstrate their qualifications. The proof documents listed below are the most commonly used forms of proof, but the lists are not exhaustive:

• Proof of identity and age — driver’s license, or government-issued photo identification, or passport/passport card.
• Proof of citizenship — birth certificate, United States passport, naturalization documents, or other proof of citizenship issued by the United States Department of State, or other reasonable documentation that indicates the applicant is a United States citizen.
• Proof of domicile — NH driver’s license, or NH non-driver ID, or NH resident vehicle registration, or federal picture identification, or government-issued check, or benefit statement, or tax document with the current domicile address listed. If an applicant attests that they do not possess any of these with an Attestation Form, they can use a rental/lease agreement, or utility or other bill, or other qualified document under RSA 654:12 with the current domicile, the Confirmation of Domicile Form (blank form provided by local election officials which must also be signed by a person owning, leasing, or renting the domicile property), or the Homeless Confirmation of Domicile Form.

A list of acceptable documents individuals can use when registering to vote can be found in the Secretary of State’s “Registering to Vote in NH” document, which is posted on
sos.nh.gov/elections/register-vote.

If an applicant’s name has legally changed from what is listed on their proof documentation, they must bring additional documents that show how their name has changed.

If an applicant does not provide acceptable documentary proof of identity, age, United States citizenship, and/or domicile, they are not eligible to register to vote.

Registered voters must prove their identity at the polls on election day to receive a ballot. Most do so by presenting a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license or non-driver ID.

Voters can use the Secretary of State’s Voter Information Lookup to make sure that their voter registration information is accurate before election day.

Where to register

Residents who have missed the deadline to register before the election can register at their polling location on election day, or, if they qualify, by absentee. Residents should contact their city clerk for registration deadlines.

Absentee registration

Any individual registering to vote by absentee ballot for a qualified reason must provide proof of their U.S. citizenship and age, in addition to domicile and identity, with their registration application. More information on the absentee registration process is available on the Secretary of State’s website.

Absentee voting

Qualified voters who request an absentee ballot must show proof of their identity with their completed absentee ballot application to receive their absentee ballot. If sending their absentee ballot application by mail, the voter must include a copy of their photo identification or a notarized signature on the absentee ballot application. If the voter is obtaining their absentee ballot in person, they must show their city or town clerk photo identification (digital proof is also accepted) or a notarized signature on their absentee ballot application form.

Voters must request their absentee ballots by 5 p.m. in person the day before the election or by 12 p.m. the day before the election by mail or email.

Voters returning their absentee ballots by mail should send them to the address provided by their city clerk.

Residents should contact their city clerk for registration deadlines and any other questions about the upcoming municipal and special elections on Nov. 4, 2025.

Submitted by the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s Office