CONCORD, NH – New Hampshire Secretary of State David M. Scanlan reminds New Hampshire voters and individuals who qualify to register by absentee or to vote absentee of important election law changes that take effect on September 30, 2025.
Absentee registration changes
Effective September 30, any individual registering to vote by absentee for a qualified reason must provide proof of their U.S. citizenship and age in addition to domicile and identity with their registration application.
Individuals in New Hampshire can register to vote by absentee due to temporary absence or physical disability. More information on the process is available on the Secretary of State’s website.
Absentee voting changes
Effective September 30, registered voters who request an absentee ballot must show proof of their identity to receive their absentee ballot. If sending their absentee ballot request by mail, the voter must include a copy of their photo identification or a notarized signature on their absentee ballot application form. 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.
The deadlines to request absentee ballots remain the same. Voters must request their absentee ballots by 5 p.m. in person the day before an election or by 12 p.m. the day before the election by mail or email.
In-person delivery of absentee ballots
Voters returning their absentee ballots to their local clerk in person no longer have to use the outer envelope to seal their properly completed affidavit envelope (which contains the ballot). The outer envelope is only required if the voter is returning their absentee ballot by mail.
Time period for requesting absentee ballots
Effective August 1, clerks can only accept absentee ballot requests postmarked or received within six months of the election for which they are being requested. This change does not apply to New Hampshire voters who live overseas or serve in the military and vote absentee as UOCAVA voters.
Instructions on how to register and vote by absentee, along with detailed guidance on the change in requirements, are available at www.sos.nh.gov/elections/absentee-ballots.
For more information on registering to vote, including proof of qualifications, visit sos.nh.gov/elections.