Election Day is Approaching Fast
- Amplify NH
- Oct 4, 2024
- 3 min read
With competitive races for Governor, US Congress, Executive Council, state legislative, and county races, as well as the presidential race, the outcome of November’s general election will have a significant impact on the livelihood of communities across New Hampshire. It's important for Granite Staters to understand the available options to cast their ballots, especially if they are unable to get to the polls on Election Day.
And with Election Day approaching fast, let’s take a look at some important reminders on how to vote by absentee here in New Hampshire.
If You Can’t Make It to the Polls on November 5th: Your Guide to Voting by Absentee
While New Hampshire does not offer no-excuse early voting, absentee voting in New Hampshire is permitted for any Granite State voters 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 their clerk’s office, request your absentee ballot, fill it out, 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. An absentee request 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 sign the envelope. You can expect your absentee ballot a few days after you send in the application. 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 and this year’s elections, check out the Granite Post’s New Hampshire Voter Guide.
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.
Another Week of Bad News for Kelly Ayotte
In the week following the release of polling showing essentially a tied race for Governor, more evidence continues to come forward showing the extreme positions Kelly Ayotte has taken and just how much Granite Staters can’t trust Kelly Ayotte:
Education and community leaders condemned Ayotte for using a far-right activist belonging to Moms for Liberty, a group who offered $500 bounties on teachers, in an Ayotte TV ad.
Ayotte is facing renewed attention for her role on the Board of Directors of Blackstone after a Blackstone-backed company was found to have violated US Labor laws by employing more than 100 children as young as 13.
Healthcare leaders criticized Ayotte for her role in endangering access to IVF treatment and restrictions on reproductive freedoms.
Action Items: Share These Stories!
Granite Post’s Voter Guide is Now Live!
For the last 9 months, the Granite Post has been delivering factual, relevant, pro-democracy, local news to New Hampshire. Just in time for the fall election season, Granite Post has launched their Voter Guide, which will provide information on how to register and to vote, as well as information on the candidates in key races across the state.
Please make sure you check out the Voter Guide before you head to the polls! And if you haven’t signed up for Granite Post newsletter, please sign-up here. They are also on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, and TikTok.
Thank you,
Ryan Mahoney
Executive Director