Absentee Voting Information

Absentee Voting

Any qualified voter may vote absentee in New Hampshire.  To qualify, you must not be able to appear in-person on Election Day due to:

  • Physical disability
  • Religious observance
  • Absence from City on day of an election
  • Employment obligations.  For the purpose of absentee voting, the term "employment" shall include the care of children and infirm adults, with or without compensation. 

In addition, an update to NH RSA 657:1 states that when the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning, blizzard warning, or ice storm warning for Election Day, certain individuals will be permitted to vote by absentee ballot on the Monday immediately prior to the election for the following circumstances:

  • A person who is elderly, infirm, or has a physical disability and would otherwise vote in person but has concerns for their safety traveling in the storm.
  • A person who anticipates that school, child care, or adult care will be canceled and would otherwise vote in person but will need to care for children or infirm adults.

Absentee Voting at City Hall

Individuals may request absentee ballot applications from the City Clerk’s Office.  Absentee Ballots may be requested:

  • In-person at the City Clerk’s Office
  • by downloading, printing, and completing the request form which can then be mailed or e-mailed to the City Clerk’s Office
  • Via a written request which shall include the voter’s name, address, mailing address, and signature.

During a primary election, undeclared voters will be asked to declare a party on their ballot request application.

Although anyone may return another voter’s absentee ballot application to the City Clerk’s Office, absentee ballots can only be handed to the voter or mailed to voters, in accordance with  NH RSA  657:15.  

Individuals obtaining absentee ballots in person at the City Clerk’s Office may complete their ballots in City Hall during normal business hours, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. with extended hours until 6 p.m. on Thursdays.

Completing the Absentee Ballot

Absentee ballots come with two envelopes: an Affidavit Envelope and a Return Envelope.  Carefully read and follow the instructions listed on the envelopes.

  1. Follow instructions as to the number of candidates to be marked for each office.  Completely fill in the oval to the right of the candidate you wish to vote for. To vote for a person whose name is not printed on the ballot, write the candidate’s name on the line provided and completely fill in the oval.  

  2. Seal the completed ballot inside the Affidavit Envelope. Do not include any other documents which need to be returned, and set those documents aside. Sign the affidavit on the envelope. If you have a disability and received assistance in completing your ballot, please have your assistant sign the Affidavit Envelope as well. If your signature is missing, the ballot will be challenged which means it may not be counted. Voters whose ballots are challenged are notified shortly after the election.

  3. Place the signed and sealed Affidavit Envelope inside the Return Envelope. If you have any documents which need to be returned, such as voter registration material, place those in the Return Envelope as well. Seal your Return Envelope and if mailing, affix two postage two stamps. 

Returning Absentee Ballots

Absentee ballots can only be returned by mail, in-person by the voter, or by a delivery agent. 

To return an absentee ballot by mail, please mail to City Clerk’s Office, 41 Green Street, Concord NH 03301.

To return an absentee ballot in person, return your completed ballot to the City Clerk’s Office Monday through Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. with extended hours until 6 p.m. on Thursdays. When you return your ballot, a staff member will ask for your photo identification (see NH RSA 657:17-a).

In order for a delivery agent return an absentee ballot on your behalf, the delivery agent must complete a return form, show photo identification, and per NH RSA 657:17, the deliver agent must be:

  • The voter’s spouse, parent, sibling, child, grandchild, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, stepparent or stepchild;
  • Nursing home administrator licensed pursuant to RSA 151-A:2, or a nursing home staff member designated in writing by the administrator to deliver ballots;
  • The residential care facility administrator, or residential care facility staff member designated in writing by the administrator to deliver ballots;
  • The person* assisting a blind voter a voter with a disability who has signed a statement on the affidavit envelope acknowledging assistance. *This person cannot deliver more than 4 absentee ballots. 

Important Deadlines

Day Prior to Election Day: Absentee ballots will be accepted by mail, in-person by the voter, or by a delivery agent through 5 p.m. the day prior to Election Day. 

Election Day: Absentee ballots will be accepted by mail at the City Clerk’s Office until 5 p.m. on Election Day or by a delivery agent at the absentee voter’s polling location. 

Overseas Citizens & Uniformed Service Members & Their Dependents

If you are temporarily out of the country, serving in the military, or the dependent of someone in the military, you may obtain an absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA application serves as both an absentee ballot request and a voter registration document. The application can be returned to our office by:

  • Mail:  City Clerk’s Office, 41 Green Street, Concord, NH 03301
  • Fax:  603-225-8592
  • E-mail:  cityclerk@concordnh.gov 

Voters completing this form have the choice of receiving their ballots by e-mail, mail, or fax. Depending on your circumstances, you will receive a full Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) ballot or a Federal Office Only UOCAVA ballot.

If you receive your ballot by e-mail or fax, you will also be sent a UOCAVA oath and directions for completing and returning your ballot.  If you receive your ballot by mail, you will also be sent instructions, a UOCAVA Affidavit Envelope, and a Return Envelope. 

Ballots must be returned by mail regardless of how you received it. Please be sure to print "Absentee Ballot Enclosed" on your outer envelope. Shipping providers such as FedEx and UPS can be utilized. The ballot must be returned to the City Clerk’s Office by 5 p.m. on Election Day.

Track the Status of Your Ballot

Any absentee voter can use the State of New Hampshire Voter Information Look-up website to check on the status of their absentee ballot. The website will show the date the City Clerk’s office received your application, the date your absentee ballot was mailed to you, and the date the absentee ballot was received back by the Clerk’s Office. Information on the site is updated every 24 hours.