How to Register

Registering to Vote in New Hampshire

To register to vote in New Hampshire, an individual must be a United States citizen, at least 18 years old by the date of the election, and have their primary residence (domicile) in the city/town ward where they vote.  

When registering, individuals will need to prove they are qualified, providing proof documents meeting the requirements listed in state law RSA 659:13, II(a), with the most commonly used forms of proof listed below. 

  • Proof of identity and age: driver’s license or government-issued photo identification, or passport/passcard.
  • Proof of citizenship: birth certificate, or United States passport, or naturalization documents, or other proof of citizenship issued by the United States Department of State, or other reasonable documentation indicating the applicant is a United States citizen.
  • Proof of domicile: A NH driver’s license, NH non-driver ID, NH resident vehicle registration, federal picture identification, or government-issued check, benefit statement, or tax document with the current domicile address listed. If an applicant attests that they do not possess any of these, they can use a rental/lease agreement, or utility or other bill with the current domicile, or the Confirmation of Domicile Form (blank form provided by local election officials which must also be signed by a person owning, leasing, or renting the domicile property).

Voters can register at their local clerk’s office, at a local supervisors of the checklist meeting, at the polls on election day, or, if they qualify to use the absentee process, by absentee. Local registration deadlines may vary between municipalities. 

If an applicant does not provide acceptable documentary proof of identity, age, United States
citizenship, and/or domicile, they are not eligible to register to vote.

Registered voters must prove their identity at the polls on Election Day to receive a ballot. Most
do so by showing a qualified photo ID such as a driver’s license or non-driver ID, as detailed in RSA 659:13, II(a).

For questions about who is running in local elections, registration deadlines and election dates, and other related questions, voters should reach out to their local clerks. In Dover, that is the City Clerk's Office, located in City Hall's ground floor Customer Service Center.  

Registering to vote in Dover

Dover residents may register to vote at Dover City Hall for the next election up until the last meeting of the Supervisors of the Checklist to verify the voter checklist before an election, required by law to occur 6-13 days before an election. To register in person, visit the City Clerk's Office at City Hall during regular hours, Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact the City Clerk's Office at 603-516-6018 or CityClerk@dover.nh.gov for more information. 

Residents may also register to vote on the day of the election at their designated polling place. See the City Clerk's interactive Ward Map to find out what Dover ward you live in and the ward's polling location. Absentee registration is also available in certain circumstances. No matter when or where one decides to register, a Voter Registration form must be completed.

REGISTER TO VOTE BY ABSENTEE

If you meet the state's requirements and qualifications and are unable to register in person because of physical disability, religious beliefs, military service, or because of temporary absence, you may register by mail. Contact the City Clerk's Office at 603-516-6018 or CityClerk@dover.nh.gov for more information.

Uniformed & Overseas (UOCAVA) Voters

If you are a qualified New Hampshire voter who is living overseas or serving in the military, you can register and vote absentee as of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). Visit the state's UOCAVA page for more information.

Changing Political Affiliation 

You may change your party affiliation with the Dover City Clerk or at any scheduled meeting of the Supervisors of the Checklist except the time between the first day of the filing period for a primary election and the date of the primary election itself. You will be required to choose a ballot from one of New Hampshire's officially recognized political parties when you vote.

When you vote on a party ballot in a state or presidential primary, you become a registered member of that party unless you fill out a card or sign a list to return to undeclared status with the Supervisors of the Checklist before leaving the polling place.

Voters may check their registered political affiliation with the Secretary of State's online tool by visiting https://app.sos.nh.gov/

NH Secretary of State's online Voter Information Lookup

The New Hampshire Secretary of State's Office maintains an online voter information portal available at https://app.sos.nh.gov/.

The portal allows voters to see their voter information, including absentee ballot status, party registration and polling place.

It also allows voters to:

  • Search polling places and sample ballots by address
  • Search city/town clear information by town
  • View the state list of clerks and polling places

State of New Hampshire Election Information Links