If you’re planning to vote in Tuesday’s party primaries — and you should, because party primaries are important and most people ignore them, which means your ballot carries more weight — here’s what you need to know before you arrive at the polling station.
Where do I vote?
There’s a complete list of all the 300+ polling places in New Hampshire online at app.sos.nh.gov/statelistclerkandpolling. (SOS stands for the Secretary of State’s office, which oversees elections in New Hampshire). It includes the voting hours.
Am I registered to vote?
To make sure you’re still registered to vote in your town or ward, check the state database at app.sos.nh.gov/voterinformation.
Darn it, I’m not registered!
Don’t despair: You can register at the polls on Election Day.
You have to prove you are at least 18, a U.S. citizen, and live in the area served by the polling place. Incidentally, there’s no minimum time you must have lived there; you can vote on the day you move to town if you’ve got proof. And you can vote on the day of your 18th birthday!
For a list of potential documents to show each of these requirements, see sos.nh.gov/elections/register-vote.
Your identity and age can proved by a driver’s license, government-issued photo ID or passport/passport card. Student identification cards cannot be used to prove identity because of a change in law pushed by Republican legislators this year.
The driver’s license can also prove that you live in the district, as can vehicle registration or federal picture identification. Also accepted is government-issued paperwork such as a check, benefit statement or tax document, with the current address listed.
You can use non-government paperwork to prove where you live, such as a utility bill or lease agreement, but must fill out a document saying that you don’t have the other document. People who are homeless can vote after filling out a “Homeless Confirmation of Domicile” form.
A U.S. birth certificate or passport/passport card are the usual methods for proving citizenship, although naturalization papers or other proof of citizenship issued by the United States Department of State are also acceptable, as is “other reasonable documentation which indicates the applicant is a United States citizen,” according to the Secretary of State’s office.
If you don’t have acceptable paperwork, you can still vote but must fill out a “qualified voter affidavit” saying that you don’t possess some or all of the documents necessary to prove your citizenship and that you live locally. Don’t fudge it, however; this is subject to the penalties for voter fraud.
I’ve never voted; how does it work?
Don’t worry — there will be lots of people at the polling place to help you. They’re used to dealing with confused people!
Because this is a party primary, you will be given either a Republican or a Democratic ballot, depending on what party you are registered for. If you’re undeclared, you can choose.
If you want to prepare yourself before going into the voting booth, take a look at a sample ballot — they’re all available at sos.nh.gov/elections/sample-ballots. Or read election stories in your local newspaper, of course!
