Voter Registration Frequently Asked Questions

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You should know...

You must register to vote 10 days before the election or at the polls on election day.
You can select party affiliation at the polls.

You can register to vote in person or obtain a mail-in application from:

City/Town clerks office
Division of motor vehicles offices
Aid to families with dependent children (AFDC) offices
Medicaid offices
Food stamps offices
Women, infants and children (WIC) benefits offices
Agencies that provide services to people with disabilities


Table of Contents

  1. Who Can Absentee Vote in New Hampshire?
  2. How Can I Acquire an Absentee Ballot?
  3. How do I Return the Absentee Ballot and What is the Deadline?
  4. What other information do I need to know about Absentee Voting in New Hampshire?
  5. Am I eligible to register and to vote?
  6. How can I register?
  7. Where can I find the registration form?
  8. When can I register?
  9. Does it cost anything to register?
  10. Am I registered once I fill out and mail the registration form?
  11. Do I ever have to re-register?
  12. What if I move right before the election?
  13. Will I remain a registered voter even if I fail to vote?
  14. Can I register for someone else?
  15. Do I have to choose a political party in order to register and to vote?
  16. What is a political party?
  17. How do I join a political party?
  18. If I declare a party of preference when I register, can I change later?
  19. Am I required to work for the party or contribute money to it?
  20. Where will I vote?
  21. What if my polling place is not accessible to the disabled?
  22. When are the polls open?
  23. Can I vote by mail?
  24. Do I need identification when I go to vote?
  25. How long may I stay in the polling booth?
  26. What if I make a mistake on my ballot?
  27. What will I be voting on?
  28. How do I vote?

Who Can Absentee Vote in New Hampshire?

Any person who meets one of the following criteria may vote absentee:

- Voter is absent on the day of any state election from the city, town or unincorporated place in which he/she is registered to vote
- Voter cannot appear in public on any election day because of the observance of a religious commitment
- Voter is unable to vote in person by reason of physical disability

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How Can I Acquire an Absentee Ballot?

Absentee ballots are available from the town or city clerk 30 days prior to an election. Those wishing to vote absentee should request an absentee ballot application from the secretary of state or any town or city clerk. The applicant must submit either a completed application form or a written request including his/her name, voting address, mailing address and signature to the clerk of the town or city in which he/she desires to vote.
There is no specific deadline for applying for an absentee ballot, but the voter must allow time for the ballot to be sent out and returned to the clerk by the deadline.

Franklin City Clerk's office is located in Franklin City Hall, 316 Central Street, Franklin, NH  03235 603-934-3109.

Voters who are either qualified to vote absentee or are disabled may vote an absentee ballot in person at their town or city clerk's office no earlier than 30 days before an election and no later than the day before the election.

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How do I Return the Absentee Ballot and What is the Deadline?

Clerks may accept completed absentee ballots submitted in person until 5 p.m. the day before an election or until 5 p.m. on election day if received through the mail. Franklin City Clerk's office is located in Franklin City Hall, 316 Central Street, Franklin, NH  03235 603-934-3109.

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What other information do I need to know about Absentee Voting in New Hampshire?

Overseas Citizens: Any person who is domiciled in Canada or Mexico or in any other country outside the continental United States has the right to register and vote absentee in any federal election (President, United States Senator, United States Representative) in the town or city in New Hampshire in which they had their domicile immediately prior to their departure from the United States, even though the person no longer maintains a domicile in said city or town and even though their intent to return is uncertain.

Armed Services: An armed service voter may apply for an absentee from the town/city clerk of the town in which he/she was a resident immediately prior to entering the service. Armed service voters are eligible to vote for all offices.

Source:
New Hampshire Elections Division/Administration
State House, Room 204
Concord, NH 03301
P: (603)271-3242
F: (603)271-6316
http://www.state.nh.us/sos/elections.htm

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Am I eligible to register and to vote?

Yes, if you are:

• a citizen of the United States.

• a legal resident of your state.

• at least 18 years old by election day.

• not in prison, probation, parole, ex-felons–varies from state to state; check with your City/County Elections Office).

• not declared mentally incompetent by a court (varies, check with your City/County Elections Office).

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How can I register?

Fill out the short voter registration-by-mail form on the Franklin City Clerk page. Sign the form. Mail it or go online to www.activoteamerica.com

Franklin City Clerk's office is located in Franklin City Hall, 316 Central Street, Franklin, NH  03235 603-934-3109.

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Where can I find the registration form?

Voter registration forms are available at the post office, library, fire station, Department of Motor Vehicles, welfare department, Registrar of Voters, and the City/County Elections office. Also, many social service agencies have forms.  In addition, you can contact an acti-vote representative or log on to www.activoteamerica.com.

Franklin City Clerk's office is located in Franklin City Hall, 316 Central Street, Franklin, NH  03235 603-934-3109.

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When can I register?

Register anytime, but be sure to do it by your state’s deadline if you want to vote in the upcoming election.

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Does it cost anything to register?

No. Registration is free.

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Am I registered once I fill out and mail the registration form?

No. You can’t be sure you are registered until you get a voter notification card from the county. If the notification card does not arrive within three weeks of mailing your registration, call your Registrar of Voters or City/County Elections Office and ask if you are registered?

Franklin City Clerk's office is located in Franklin City Hall, 316 Central Street, Franklin, NH  03235 603-934-3109.

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Do I ever have to re-register?

Yes. If you move, change your name, want to change your political party, or have completed all conditions of a felony charge, you must register again. Registration rules and procedures for convicted felons vary by state (check with your City/County Elections Office).

Franklin City Clerk's office is located in Franklin City Hall, 316 Central Street, Franklin, NH  03235 603-934-3109.

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What if I move right before the election?

You may vote by returning to your former precinct or by requesting a vote-by-mail ballot.

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Will I remain a registered voter even if I fail to vote?

Yes.

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Can I register for someone else?

No. You can only register for yourself. However, you may help others fill out a form, but they must sign the form.

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Do I have to choose a political party in order to register and to vote?

No. You may check the "decline to state" or independent box on the form if you do not wish to belong to a political party.

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What is a political party?

A political party is a group of individuals who try to determine public policy by organizing to win elections and operate government.

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How do I join a political party?

It is as simple as checking the box for the political party of your choice on the registration form. There are no requirements to join a political party.

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If I declare a party of preference when I register, can I change later?

Yes, you just have to re-register.

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Am I required to work for the party or contribute money to it?

No.

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Where will I vote?

The address will be on your registration card. Both should show whether the polling location is accessible to the disabled. Polling places may change from one election to another. It is important to go to the correct polling place because your name will not be on the roster of voters anywhere else.

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What if my polling place is not accessible to the disabled?

In most states, you may vote by absentee ballot. Check with your local City/County Elections office to learn what you should do. If you prefer to vote in person, get as close to your polling place as you can and a precinct board member will bring you a ballot for you to cast.

Franklin City Clerk's office is located in Franklin City Hall, 316 Central Street, Franklin, NH  03235 603-934-3109.

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When are the polls open?

The time polls are open on election day varies by state. However,  in Franklin, NH the hours are from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

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Can I vote by mail?

Contact your City/County Elections Office for information on obtaining an absentee ballot and about deadlines. 

Franklin City Clerk's office is located in Franklin City Hall, 316 Central Street, Franklin, NH  03235 603-934-3109.

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Do I need identification when I go to vote?

No. You will just be asked to state your name and address and to sign the roster of voters.

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How long may I stay in the polling booth?

Take your time. Some states limit voting to ten minutes, but will extend that time if no other voters are waiting. You may take your pre-marked Sample Ballot into the polling place with you.

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What if I make a mistake on my ballot?

You may request another one.

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What will I be voting on?

We vote on two types of things:

• People: candidates who are running for elective office.

• Plans: ballot measures that change local or state laws.

You do not have to vote on everything. You can just vote on the things you care about.

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How do I vote?

• You will sign your name on a list of all the voters in your area.

• You will be given a ballot and you will enter a voting booth

• You will put the ballot in the voting machine and mark your choices.

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City of Franklin 2005
3D Administrative Services