State Primary Election - September 8, 2020
Executive Council District 5
Bob Clegg
Dave Wheeler
How the primary works
A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. New Hampshire uses a semi-closed primary system. Unaffiliated voters may vote in the primary, but in order to do so, they have to choose a party before voting. This changes their status from unaffiliated to affiliated with that party unless they fill out a card to return to undeclared status.
Poll times
In New Hampshire, polling place hours of operation vary. According to state law, polling places must be open between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Localities may set their own polling hours as long as they are open during those hours prescribed by state law. To search for the hours your polling place is open, click here.
Registration requirements
To register to vote in New Hampshire, each applicant must be a citizen of the United States, an inhabitant of New Hampshire, and at least 18 years old by the next election. Individuals may register to vote at the local clerk's office, with the community's supervisors of the checklist or registrar of voters, or at the polling place on the day of the election. Applicants must fill out a voter registration form and either show proof of identity, residence, and citizenship or sign an affidavit witnessed by an election official. Absentee registration is allowed for those who are “unable to register in person because of physical disability, religious beliefs, military service, or because of temporary absence.” Absentee registration requires mailing a voter registration form and witnessed absentee voter registration affidavit to the local clerk.
Automatic registration
New Hampshire does not practice automatic voter registration.
Online registration
New Hampshire does not permit online voter registration.
Same-day registration
New Hampshire allows same-day voter registration.
Residency requirements
In New Hampshire, citizens can register to vote the day they move to the state.
Verification of citizenship
New Hampshire requires prospective voters to either provide proof of citizenship or sign an affidavit in order to register to vote.
Verifying your registration
The New Hampshire Secretary of State’s office allows residents to check their voter registration status online by visiting this website.
Voter ID requirements
New Hampshire requires voters to present photo identification while voting.
The following list of accepted ID was current as of November 2019. Click here for the New Hampshire Secretary of State page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.
- Driver's license issued by any state or the federal government
- Photo ID card issued by the motor vehicles division, department, agency, or office of any other state
- United States armed services identification card
- United States passport or passcard
- Valid student identification card issued by a college, university, or career school in New Hampshire
- Valid student ID from a public high school in New Hampshire
- Valid student ID from a nonpublic high school in New Hampshire
Additionally, a poll worker may verify the voter’s identity. If anyone authorized to challenge a voter objects to the poll worker’s verification, the voter would have to complete a challenged voter affidavit.
Voters without proper photo identification can complete a challenged voter affidavit. A poll worker will take a photo of the voter and attach it to the affidavit. The voter may then cast a regular ballot. If the voter objects to being photographed for religious reasons, he or she can complete an affidavit of religious exemption, which will be attached to the challenged voter affidavit.
Background
As of December 2019, 34 states enforced (or were scheduled to begin enforcing) voter identification requirements. A total of 19 states required voters to present photo identification at the polls; the remainder accepted other forms of identification. Valid forms of identification differ by state. Commonly accepted forms of ID include driver's licenses, state-issued identification cards, and military identification cards.
Absentee voting
A voter is eligible to vote absentee in an election if he or she cannot make it to the polls on Election Day for one of the following reasons:
- The voter will be absent from his or her polling location on the day of the election.
- The voter is unable to visit the polls because of the observance of a religious commitment.
- The voter is unable to visit the polls because of a physical disability.
- The voter is unable to visit the polls because of an employment obligation.
- The voter is unable to visit the polls due to military service.
There is no specific deadline to apply for an absentee ballot. The completed ballot must be returned either in person by 5:00 p.m. the day before the election or by mail. If returned by mail, the ballot must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Election Day.