Absentee Voter Registration 2026: Documentary Proof of Citizenship (DPOC) Requirement 

You may register to vote by absentee (by mail) if one of the following is true:

• You will be absent from the town or city on the dates/times when the Supervisors of the Checklist meet to receive voter registration applications;

• • Absence includes an employment obligation that prevents you from attending a session of the supervisors. The term “employment” includes the care of children and infirm adults, with or without compensation.

• You are unable to register in person due to a physical disability; or
• You are confined to a penal institution for a misdemeanor or while awaiting trial but otherwise qualified.

⚠️ *NEW* SB 218 took effect on September 30th, 2025 and requires absentee registrants to provide proof of US citizenship and age in addition to domicile and identity.  

How to register to vote by absentee:

1. Request the applicable absentee voter registration affidavit and absentee voter registration form from your town or city clerk. 

• Optional: Within 6 months of an election, you can also submit an absentee ballot request form/application with your absentee voter registration materials. Complete the absentee ballot request form/s and seal in the smaller envelope as instructed.

• Another new law, SB 287, requires voters requesting absentee ballots to prove identity via copy of ID, notarized signature, or in person clerk visit—scroll down for more important information.

2. Fill out the absentee voter registration affidavit, sign it before a witness, and have the witness complete their portion. 

3. Place your registration documents inside the larger envelope (Form B). Do not place voter registration documents in the smaller affidavit envelope (Form A). Seal the larger envelope (Form B).

4. Return the affidavit and the voter registration form to your town or city clerk along with copies of documents proving your age, citizenship, identity, and domicile. 

5. Once your application is received, Supervisors of the Checklist must review and approve it. You are registered to vote when the supervisors approve the application. 

Supervisors of the checklist are required to meet on a date 6 to 13 days before the election and then on election day at the polls to correct the voter checklist. If you return your absentee voter registration forms before the meeting scheduled 6 to 13 days ahead of the election, your application will be reviewed at that meeting. If you return your registration after that meeting and by the absentee deadlines, your application will be reviewed on election day.

Examples of documents proving voter registration qualifications:

• Age: driver's license, government-issued photo ID, passport/passport card
• Citizenship: U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport/passport card, naturalization papers, other proof of citizenship issued by the United States Department of State, or other reasonable documentation which indicates the applicant is a United States citizen.  

• • If you were previously or are currently registered to vote in New Hampshire, you will not need to re-prove age or citizenship, only identity and domicile.

• Identity: driver's license or non-drivers ID card, government-issued photo ID, passport/passport card, US armed services ID card, naturalization papers, Free Photo ID card for “voting identification only” issued by NH DMV

• • An acceptable photo ID must have an expiration date or date of issuance. The ID will remain valid, for voting purposes, for 5 years beyond the expiration date. If the voter is 65 or older, an acceptable photo ID may be used without regard to expiration date.

• Domicile: NH driver's license, NH non-driver ID, NH resident vehicle registration, federal picture identification, government-issued check, benefit statement, or tax document with the current domicile address listed.

• • If you do not have one of the listed documents to prove domicile, you may provide a lease/rental agreement, utility bill, property tax bill, or other reasonable documentation and be required to sign an attestation form. 

 For a full list of acceptable documents, visit the Secretary of State's Register to Vote page.

Name Changes

 For help obtaining vital records (like birth certificates or marriage licenses), visit the Proof of Voter Registration Qualifications page. The NH Division of Vital Records Administration offers FREE certified copies of New Hampshire vital records for voting purposes only: Application. If you are seeking proof of a vital event that took place in a state outside of New Hampshire (birth, marriage, divorce etc.) to use to register to vote, use the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics for information on obtaining vital records for each state.

Absentee Ballot Applications 2026: New ID Verification Requirement

Absentee voting in New Hampshire is permitted for voters who meet any of the following criteria: 

• You will be out of town on election day; or
• You have a religious observance that prevents you from voting in person; or
• You have a physical disability or illness that prevents you from voting in person; or
• You have an employment commitment or must care for an adult or child during the entire time polls are open; or
• You are confined in a penal institution for a conviction of a misdemeanor or while awaiting trial; or
• You are a member of the Attorney General’s Address Confidentiality Program or are protected by a Domestic Violence Protective Order; or
• The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm, blizzard, or ice storm warning for your town/ward for election day, and you have concerns about safely traveling in the storm.

⚠️ *NEW* SB 287 took effect on September 30th, 2025 and requires voters requesting absentee ballots to show proof of identity via ONE of the following ways:

• A copy of the voter’s ID mailed with the absentee ballot application, OR
• Presenting an ID or notarized signature in person to the town or city clerk or their designee, OR
• A notarized signature on the mailed-in absentee ballot application before being provided an absentee ballot

If you have voted by absentee ballot in NH in the past, you’ll want to make sure you’re up to date on these new documentation requirements. Many retirement communities and nursing homes have resources on-hand to assist residents with voting. For example, they often have a good relationship with the Town or City Clerk, may be able to make photocopies of IDs and provide citizenship documentation they have on file, and may have notaries on staff.

As part of our Age Strong Voting Program, Open Democracy recruits and works with dedicated volunteer notaries across much of the state. Please don't hesitate to contact Ursula if you or someone you’re helping needs help accessing a notary. 

 Visit your town or city's website to download an absentee ballot application. You can use the Secretary of State's Voter Information Lookup page to track the status of your request, when your ballot is sent to you, and when the clerk has received your completed ballot.

Voting Absentee by mail:

Requesting an absentee ballot: Download an absentee ballot application from the Secretary of State’s website: sos.nh.gov/elections/absentee-ballots. If you are unsure of your registration status, you can visit app.sos.nh.gov/voterinformation to check. Even though you technically have until 12:00 p.m. the day before the election to request an absentee ballot, the Secretary of State and the USPS recommend doing so much earlier so that your mailed completed ballot will arrive in time. After you have applied for an absentee ballot, you can visit app.sos.nh.gov/viphometo find out if your clerk has received your request, when the absentee ballot was sent to you, and when your clerk received your completed absentee ballot.

Voting Absentee in person at your local clerk’s office:

If a voter prefers, they are also able to vote absentee in person at their local clerk’s office up to the day before Election Day. They can go to their clerk’s office, request the absentee ballot, fill it out and return it all in one visit. The deadline to request an absentee ballot in person is 5:00 p.m. the day before the election.

How/when do I return my absentee ballot?

You can return your absentee ballot in a few different ways:

1. Return your ballot by mail up to 7 days prior to the Election. Because your ballot must be received by 5pm on Election Day, if you are within 7 days of Election Day, you should return your absentee ballot in person or plan to vote in person on Election Day to ensure your ballot is counted. 
2. Return your absentee ballot in person at your town or city hall. You can deliver your ballot directly to your Town or City Clerk by 5PM the day before Election Day. You do not need an outer return envelope if delivering in person.
3. Delivery Agents: Another person called a “delivery agent” may personally deliver the envelope to the clerk. If delivered to the polls on election day by a delivery agent, he or she will be required to present government-issued photo identification or have his or her identity verified by the clerk and complete a form provided there by the clerk. RSA 657:17. A person assisting a blind voter or a voter with a disability who signs and completes the absentee ballot affidavit (Form A) may be a delivery agent but is limited to delivering ballots for four voters. Family members or nursing home and elder care facility administrators may be a delivery agent without limit. RSA 657:17.

Uniformed and Overseas (UOCAVA) Voters

If you are a qualified New Hampshire voter who is living overseas or serving in the military, you can register and vote absentee as a UOCAVA voter. Visit the Secretary of State’s UOCAVA page for voting information.

If you have any questions or concerns, you should contact:

NH Secretary of State’s Office: [email protected], (603)-271-3242

NH Attorney General’s Office: [email protected], (603) 271-3658