Change in Voting laws require us to...

MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE  UUSL Webpage - Voting in New Hampshire 12/2/2025

New voter registration laws were recently passed by our NH legislature. To help minimize any issues when registering to vote, we encourage all Granite Staters to determine how these new laws might affect them and their community, including family members and neighbors.

People who expect to register to vote for the first time or are required to re-register in 2026 may need to make a plan to do so, way ahead of the U.S. midterm elections. Early planning is suggested to allow adequate time to obtain the required documentary proof of your voter qualifications. 

See “DEADLINES TO REGISTER TO VOTE” (link to the .pdf file).

Impact of the new NH voter registration laws:
If you are not already enrolled, to register to vote (in-person or by absentee), you must provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, which is now required in addition to proof of identity, age and domicile.

Women will be especially impacted by the new voter registration laws. If you have changed your name, you must present any documents related to that name change, such as a marriage license.

Also, currently or previously registered voters who moved to a different town or ward or do not vote at least once every five years must re-register. (If you need to re-register and your town clerk can confirm that your name is still listed in the statewide database or another official record, proof of citizenship is not required. However, you will still need to provide proof of identity and domicile.)

Applicants registering to vote no longer have the option of completing an affidavit as an alternative to providing documentary proof of their qualifications as a voter.

Registered voters who qualify to vote absentee and would like to do so must complete and submit an updated application form.

Per the N.H. Secretary of State’s website, you may present documents in paper, photocopy, or electronic form.

 See “The State of New Hampshire, Registering to Vote in New Hampshire”.

For a quick guide, see “CURRENT NH ELECTION LAWS,” “(link to the .pdf file) which includes links to relevant NH Secretary of State webpages.

All registered voters in New Hampshire are required to show proof of their identification at their polling location to receive a ballot and vote. Registered voters do not need to bring proof of age, domicile, or U.S. citizenship with them to the polls to vote. This proof is only required when registering to vote in New Hampshire.

If you have any questions about registering to vote or voting, contact your town or city clerk.

Press coverage regarding recent NH election law changes

12/3/2025 Concord Monitor (Opinion), “Voting law (in NH) turns away hundreds of voters”. 3/1/2025 - NH Public Radio, “NH’s new ID requirements send some would-be voters home to grab passports, birth certificates”.
5/30/24 – NH Bulletin, “Bill to require citizenship documents for NH voter registration would be unique in US”.
9/12/24 - NH Public Radio, “Sununu signs voter ID overhaul into law; court challenge likely”.

The above information is based on NH election law information provided on the NH Secretary of State website (as of 11/2025), as part of the UUSL current events group’s new “Get Out the Vote” initiative.