You may vote absentee in New Hampshire when you will be away from your city or town on Election Day, cannot appear because of a physical disability or religious commitment, or cannot reach the polls during voting hours because of an employment obligation. Employment includes time spent caring for children or infirm adults, whether paid or unpaid.



Absentee voting is also available to certain voters confined for a misdemeanor or while awaiting trial, qualifying military and overseas voters, and some voters affected by an applicable Election Day winter storm warning.



New Hampshire does not offer unrestricted absentee voting simply because voting by mail is more convenient. Read the certification on the application and choose only the reason that truthfully applies.



Before requesting a ballot, use <a href="https://tpaction.com/Vote">TPAction.com/Vote to verify your New Hampshire voter information</a>. Then contact the clerk for the city or town where you vote.

Quick Answer: Who Can Vote Absentee in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire Absentee Voting Facts for 2026

New Hampshire Requires a Valid Absentee Reason

A standard absentee-ballot request is processed through the city or town where you are registered. The clerk checks the voter checklist and, for a Primary, confirms that the requested party ballot matches the voter&#8217;s eligibility.

Verify Your Registration Before Requesting a Ballot

There is no central county absentee-ballot office in New Hampshire. Your local clerk issues and receives the ballot.

Apply Through Your City or Town Clerk

A major requirement applies to New Hampshire absentee requests in 2026. Every applicant must complete identity verification before the clerk can issue a ballot.

Complete the Required Applicant Identity Verification

New Hampshire clerks mail ballots for verified requests received by noon on the day before an election. A voter may request and receive a ballot in person at the clerk’s office until 5:00 p.m. on the day before the election.

The Legal Request Deadlines Are Not Safe Mailing Deadlines

New Hampshire’s September 8 State Primary uses party ballots.

Primary Voters Must Request the Correct Party Ballot

An absentee package contains the ballot, an affidavit envelope, a return envelope, and instructions.

Complete the Ballot Package in the Correct Order

The completed absentee ballot must reach the appropriate city, town, or ward clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on Election Day.



For 2026, that means:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>State Primary: Received by 5:00 p.m. on September 8</li>



<li>General Election: Received by 5:00 p.m. on November 3</li>
</ul>



A ballot received after 5:00 p.m. is rejected as late. A postmark dated on or before Election Day does not make a late-arriving New Hampshire absentee ballot timely.



Mail early enough for actual delivery. When the election is close, contact your clerk about the authorized in-person return procedure.

Your Ballot Must Be Received by 5:00 p.m. on Election Day

A voter may personally deliver the completed ballot under the municipality’s posted procedures. Showing qualifying photo identification allows the clerk to mark the voter as verified. Without that ID presentation, the application and affidavit signatures may be compared during review.

You May Return Your Own Ballot in Person

New Hampshire limits who may serve as a delivery agent.

Only Certain People May Deliver a Ballot for You

New Hampshire’s voter portal allows an absentee voter to check whether:

Track the Ballot Through the State Portal

Eligible uniformed service members, qualifying family members, and citizens living abroad use the federal UOCAVA process. They may use the Federal Post Card Application and, when permitted, receive ballots electronically. Their rules differ from the standard domestic process.

Military and Overseas Voters Follow a Separate Process

Start with the town or city page connected to your voter record:

Find the Clerk Connected to Your Community

New Hampshire Absentee Voting Questions for 2026

Before requesting or returning a ballot:

New Hampshire’s Absentee Ballot Checklist

Absentee voting gives eligible New Hampshire voters a practical way to participate when work, travel, disability, religious observance, or caregiving prevents an Election Day visit. The strongest plan is simple: verify your record, apply early, complete the identity check, and return the ballot with time to spare. <a href="https://www.tpaction.com/plan">Make your vote plan</a> using TPAction.com/Vote.



After your ballot plan is secure, help another eligible voter understand the 5:00 p.m. receipt deadline and the local clerk process. <a href="https://www.tpaction.com/commit100">VOLUNTEER WITH US</a> to support Republican voter education and grassroots participation across New Hampshire in 2026.



Ready to do more? <a href="https://www.tpaction.com/getinvolved" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.tpaction.com/getinvolved">Get Involved</a> with Turning Point Action and help more New Hampshire voters get ready for 2026.

Do Not Let the Mail Become Your Election Plan

Learn New Hampshire absentee ballot rules for 2026, valid reasons to vote absentee, and why to verify registration with Fly The Flag before requesting.

New Hampshire Absentee Voting for the 2026 Election

Quick Answer: Who Can Vote Absentee in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire Absentee Voting Facts for 2026

New Hampshire Requires a Valid Absentee Reason

Verify Your Registration Before Requesting a Ballot

Apply Through Your City or Town Clerk

Complete the Required Applicant Identity Verification

The Legal Request Deadlines Are Not Safe Mailing Deadlines

Primary Voters Must Request the Correct Party Ballot

Complete the Ballot Package in the Correct Order

Your Ballot Must Be Received by 5:00 p.m. on Election Day

You May Return Your Own Ballot in Person

Only Certain People May Deliver a Ballot for You

Track the Ballot Through the State Portal

Military and Overseas Voters Follow a Separate Process

Find the Clerk Connected to Your Community

New Hampshire Absentee Voting Questions for 2026

Can I vote absentee because I prefer voting from home?

Do I need photo ID to request an absentee ballot?

Is my ballot valid when it is postmarked by Election Day?

May a neighbor return my ballot to the clerk?

Can I register and vote absentee at the same time?

New Hampshire’s Absentee Ballot Checklist

Do Not Let the Mail Become Your Election Plan

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New Hampshire Absentee Voting for the 2026 Election

Quick Answer: Who Can Vote Absentee in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire Absentee Voting Facts for 2026

New Hampshire Requires a Valid Absentee Reason

Verify Your Registration Before Requesting a Ballot

Apply Through Your City or Town Clerk

Complete the Required Applicant Identity Verification

The Legal Request Deadlines Are Not Safe Mailing Deadlines

Primary Voters Must Request the Correct Party Ballot

Complete the Ballot Package in the Correct Order

Your Ballot Must Be Received by 5:00 p.m. on Election Day

You May Return Your Own Ballot in Person

Only Certain People May Deliver a Ballot for You

Track the Ballot Through the State Portal

Military and Overseas Voters Follow a Separate Process

Find the Clerk Connected to Your Community

New Hampshire Absentee Voting Questions for 2026

Can I vote absentee because I prefer voting from home?

Do I need photo ID to request an absentee ballot?

Is my ballot valid when it is postmarked by Election Day?

May a neighbor return my ballot to the clerk?

Can I register and vote absentee at the same time?

New Hampshire’s Absentee Ballot Checklist

Do Not Let the Mail Become Your Election Plan