While New Hampshire does not offer no-excuse early voting, absentee voting in New Hampshire is permitted for any Granite State voter who can’t make it to the polls on election day (Tuesday, November 5th) for one of the following reasons:

• You need to be at work,
• You will be away on Election Day,
• You are responsible for childcare or caring for an infirm adult,
• You have a disability or illness, or
• You are observing a religious commitment on Election Day. 

Absentee voting can be done in person at your local clerk’s office up to the day before Election Day. You can go to the clerk’s office, request your absentee ballot, fill out an absentee ballot application, receive your absentee ballot, fill it in and return it during one visit.

Voters can also vote absentee by mail. To do so, follow these steps: 

STEP 1: Request an absentee ballot. More information about requesting an absentee ballot application can be found here.

STEP 2: Fill out, sign and return the application to your town clerk. Return it to your clerk’s office by mail, email, fax, or in person. Absentee ballots start mailing about 30 days before the election, and tend to arrive a few days after you submit your application.

STEP 3: Fill out your absentee ballot and follow instructions provided to return your ballot. Make sure to follow the instructions and don’t forget to sign the inner envelope.

STEP 4: Return your absentee ballot to your town clerk either by mail or in person to arrive before election day. Close to the election? Drop your ballot off in person if you can. You can track your ballot here.

For more information about how to vote in New Hampshire, check out the NH Secretary of State’s Office – Voter Information.

Regardless of whether you plan to vote absentee or on Election Day, it’s important to make sure you are registered to vote. To check your voter registration status, click here.

If you or someone you know is having trouble registering to vote, call New Hampshire’s voter hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE.