As long as you are a U.S. citizen and a New Hampshire resident, you can vote in Tuesday’s state primary.
Following are some basic questions and answers for new voters from the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s Office.
Who can vote in a primary?
Any registered voter can vote in a primary. If you are registered as a Republican or a Democrat, you may only select that party’s ballot at the polls.
If you are undeclared, you can choose either ballot. After voting, you can return to undeclared status before leaving the polls. Otherwise, you will be listed as a member of the party whose ballot you chose.
Registered Republicans and Democrats cannot change their party affiliation at the polls. They must do so with their city or town clerk or supervisors of the checklist. It’s too late to make that change for Tuesday’s primary. To check your party affiliation, go to app.sos.nh.gov/viphome.
Can I still register to vote in the primary?
You can register at the polls on primary day.
Who can register vote?
New Hampshire inhabitants who are U.S. citizens and will be 18 years of age or older on the day of the election. There is no minimum period of time you are required to have lived in the state before registering to vote. You may register as soon as you move into your new community.
What do I need to register?
You will be asked to show proof of identity, age, citizenship and domicile. This proof may be shown in paper or electronic form.
A driver’s license or non-driver ID is acceptable proof of identity and age. A birth certificate, U.S. passport or passcard or a naturalization document is proof of citizenship.
To prove domicile, state law says you need a document that “manifests an intent to maintain a single continuous presence for for domestic, social and civil purposes...” For a list of specific documents that meet these requirements, see https://bit.ly/3RkUM0r
If you do not have proof with you when registering, these qualifications may be established by signing an affidavit.
Can I still request an absentee ballot?
Not unless your city or town clerk accepts in-person requests on Monday. Contact your clerk’s office soon to request an absentee ballot for the Nov. 5 general election. And be aware that the special rules that made it easier to qualify for an absentee ballot in 2020 because of COVID-19 are no longer in place.
Welcome to our 2024 Voters First guide to your New Hampshire first-in-the-nation primary. The next president will have no shortage of challenges to contend with — worldwide and at home. We know New Hampshire voters will take their role seriously and, having done their research, will select the candidate they feel best capable of fulfilling this most important role.
Hyperbole always surrounds elections. 2024 is no different. You have no doubt heard that “Democracy is on the ballot.” Well, democracy isn’t on the ballot, democracy is the ballot. Every election gives us choices.
Media, both mainstream and social, have been telling us for years now that the 2024 presidential matchup is a foregone conclusion. Don’t believe them. 2024 is an open field with dozens of candidates across both major party ballots. If your chosen candidate is one of our last two presidents, then by all means cast your ballot for them. But don’t think it’s a done deal. The New Hampshire primary has often been the beginning of major surprises and upsets. Take a look through the pages of this section, do your research, and cast the ballot of your choosing.
Voting is one of our great rights and responsibilities. We know most Granite Staters take this responsibility seriously. Our readers certainly do.
A hot mic moment from a candidate’s withdrawal speech made headlines recently. His assessment of Nikki Haley: “She’s going to get smoked.” The candidate was close in his assessment, but missed the mark. As the saying goes, where there’s smoke there’s fire. There is plenty of smoke around Nikki Haley because she is catching fire here in the Granite State.
