Municipal Elections Coming Up: What You Need to Know About New Restrictions
- Amplify NH
- Sep 14
- 4 min read
This fall, voters in municipalities across New Hampshire will head to the polls to cast their ballots in their local elections. These elections are set to take place in major cities across New Hampshire, including Berlin, Claremont, Concord, Dover, Franklin, Keene, Laconia, Manchester, Nashua, Portsmouth, Rochester, and Somersworth.
However, restrictive new absentee voting guidelines signed into law earlier this summer are set to impact these elections. Let’s take a look at these elections and what voters should know about these new guidelines:
Municipal Elections Happening Soon
For the majority of cities in New Hampshire, elections will occur on November 4. The city of Franklin is an exception; their election will be held on October 7. Voters will have the opportunity to cast votes for a variety of local offices, including for, depending on the city: mayor, city council, school board, and selectmen among other offices. To see what’s on the ballot in your city, visit your city’s website or contact your city clerk’s office.
Before arriving at the polls on election day, it’s important to confirm that you are registered to vote. Granite Staters can check their registration status online or by contacting their local town or city clerk. Remember, if you are not registered (or not registered at your current address), you can register at the polls on Election Day.
If planning to register to vote at the polls, it’s important to keep in mind current voter registration requirements. HB 1569, which was signed into law by former Governor Chris Sununu last year, requires Granite Staters to provide identification and proof of citizenship in order to register to vote with no exceptions. This law eliminated all exceptions to the state's prior voter ID requirements and affidavit ballot system.
To register at the polls, you will need to prove your identity, age, citizenship, and domicile (physical address), so make sure to bring one of the following forms of identification:
US Citizenship: birth certificate, US passport, naturalization papers
Identity and Age: driver’s license, government-issued photo ID, passport
NH Residence: driver’s license, government-issued photo ID, lease agreement or utility bill listing your primary residence address (domicile)
For further information on identification requirements, please refer to the NH Secretary of State’s Official Registration Guidance.
Be sure to confirm where your designated polling place is located. That information can be found here. Additionally, check your local polling location’s hours of operation to plan your visit and determine a convenient time for you to go vote.
If you live in a city or town holding elections this fall, encourage any of your friends and family in those towns to vote in these important local contests.
Changes to Absentee Voting Procedures
Over the summer, Kelly Ayotte signed SB 287 into law, which will severely limit the ability of certain groups of Granite Staters, including seniors, voters with disabilities, parents, and working Granite Staters, to participate in our elections.
As this bill takes effect 60 days after its signing into law, the absentee voting guidelines outlined in SB 287 will not take effect until after primary elections occur, but will apply during the general elections taking place after September 30, 2025.
Voters heading to the polls on November 4, or October 7 in Franklin, will be subject to new hurdles to the absentee voting process. It will require voters who are requesting absentee ballots show proof of identity via:
A copy of the voters’ ID with the absentee application
A notarized signature on the absentee ballot application
Presenting an ID in person to the town or city clerk or their designee before being provided an absentee ballot.
Be sure to contact your local town or city clerk with any questions.
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Thank you,
Emma Carroll
Digital Director, Amplify NH