A voter who needs help marking a ballot may choose assistance from election officials or another person. Under <a href="https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/LXIII/659/659-20.htm">New Hampshire RSA 659:20</a>, the voter declares the need for assistance to the moderator under oath. The moderator must first inform the voter about accessible voting options available at the polling place.



The voter may then request assistance from:

Who can help you vote in New Hampshire?

Tell an election official that you need assistance and ask to speak with the moderator. The voter must declare under oath that assistance is needed to mark the ballot.



The process generally follows these steps:

How to request help marking your ballot

The assistant’s role is to help the voter carry out the voter’s own choices. Depending on the voter’s needs, the assistant may read ballot content, help locate a contest, explain the physical layout of the ballot or mark selections as directed.



A ballot assistant may:

What may a ballot assistant do?

A ballot assistant may not take control of the voter’s decisions. The assistant’s personal opinions, political preferences and assumptions have no place in the voting booth.



An assistant must not:

What may a ballot assistant not do?

A family member may assist if the voter chooses that person and the person is not disqualified because they are the voter’s employer or union official. The family member must complete the polling-place procedure, take the required oath, follow the voter’s instructions and keep the ballot confidential.



Being related to the voter does not give the family member authority to make choices for them. Even when the assistant knows the voter well, the assistant must wait for the voter’s direction for each selection.



The voter should choose someone who can:

Can a family member mark your ballot?

Yes. A voter may request assistance from one or both inspectors of election assigned for that purpose by the moderator. This option may be useful when the voter does not bring a companion or prefers help from election officials.



The inspectors must provide assistance according to the voter’s directions. They may not recommend choices, alter the voter’s instructions or disclose the voter’s selections.



When requesting help, tell the moderator what kind of assistance you need. For example, you may ask an official to:

Can an election official assist you?

A voter may bring a companion into the polling place, but accompanying the voter and assisting with the ballot are not automatically the same role. If the companion helps mark the ballot, the person becomes the voter’s assistant and must follow the assistance procedure.



Tell the moderator if the companion will help read or mark the ballot. The moderator can explain the required oath and where the assistant may stand.



A companion should not enter the voting area or handle the ballot without the moderator’s knowledge. Following the official process protects the voter’s privacy and makes the helper’s responsibility clear.



If the companion is present only to provide mobility, communication or personal support, explain that need to the moderator. Election officials can tell the voter and companion how to proceed at that polling place.

Can you bring someone into the voting booth?

RSA 659:20 states that the assistant must be sworn and must follow the voter’s directions. The statute does not state a separate photo-identification requirement for the assistant.



The voter must still complete the applicable voter check-in process. For current voter identification information, review <a href="https://www.tpaction.com/voting-requirements-rules-in-new-hampshire">Voter ID: What to Bring</a> and check the official New Hampshire page before Election Day.



The assistant should be prepared to identify their role and complete the oath administered by the moderator. Questions about the local procedure should be directed to the town or city clerk or polling-place moderator.

Does your helper need identification?

A voter who has difficulty reading the ballot may request assistance. The voter can choose a permitted personal assistant or election inspectors, or ask about the accessible voting equipment available at the polling place.



The assistant may read the ballot accurately and neutrally. The assistant should:

What if you need help reading the ballot?

The central rule is simple: the assistant follows the voter’s instructions. Assistance helps the voter express a choice; it does not allow another person to choose for the voter.



The voter may:

How does the voter remain in control?

Preparation can make it easier to request assistance without delaying the voting process.



Before Election Day:

Prepare before going to the polls

Frequently asked questions

Confirm your registration and polling place at <a href="https://www.tpaction.com/Vote">TPAction.com/Vote</a>. When you arrive, tell an election official that you need assistance and ask for the moderator.



You may choose a permitted person or designated election inspectors to help mark the ballot. The assistant must follow your directions, protect your privacy and leave every voting decision to you. Want to support voter registration and help people find useful Election Day information? <a href="https://www.tpaction.com/getinvolved">Get involved</a> and support outreach in your community.

Ask for the help you need

Learn when a New Hampshire voter may get help marking a ballot, who may assist, and how the voter stays in control of every choice.

New Hampshire Voting Assistance: Who Can Help You Mark Your Ballot

Who can help you vote in New Hampshire?

How to request help marking your ballot

What may a ballot assistant do?

What may a ballot assistant not do?

Can a family member mark your ballot?

Can an election official assist you?

Can you bring someone into the voting booth?

Does your helper need identification?

What if you need help reading the ballot?

How does the voter remain in control?

Prepare before going to the polls

Frequently asked questions

Can someone help me vote in New Hampshire?

Can a family member mark my ballot?

Can an election official assist me?

Can I bring someone into the voting booth?

Does my helper need ID?

Can someone tell me how to vote?

What if I need help reading the ballot?

Ask for the help you need

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New Hampshire Voting Assistance: Who Can Help You Mark Your Ballot

Who can help you vote in New Hampshire?

How to request help marking your ballot

What may a ballot assistant do?

What may a ballot assistant not do?

Can a family member mark your ballot?

Can an election official assist you?

Can you bring someone into the voting booth?

Does your helper need identification?

What if you need help reading the ballot?

How does the voter remain in control?

Prepare before going to the polls

Frequently asked questions

Can someone help me vote in New Hampshire?

Can a family member mark my ballot?

Can an election official assist me?

Can I bring someone into the voting booth?

Does my helper need ID?

Can someone tell me how to vote?

What if I need help reading the ballot?

Ask for the help you need