Student Voter Guide for New Hampshire’s 2020 Presidential Primary

The Feb 11 New Hampshire primaries select Presidential delegates for New Hampshire’s Democratic and Republican parties. If you are registered as a Republican or a Democrat, you must vote in the primary of your party. If you are registered as unaffiliated, you can vote in the primary of your choice.

Dates and Deadlines

Registration

  • By mail: Tuesday, January 28, 2020
  • In person: Tuesday, February 11, at the polls

Primary date: Tuesday, February 11

Early voting dates: New Hampshire does not have early voting.

Why this primary matters

You have a chance to determine the Presidential nominee for one of the two major political parties. At the beginning of the nation’s series of primaries and caucuses, the New Hampshire primary plays an important role. Democratic Party delegates are allotted proportionally to those candidates who reach a 15% threshold in the primary. For the Republican Party, there is a 10% minimum threshold for earning delegates.

Candidate information

For Republican and Democratic Presidential candidate websites, CNN has a complete list. Politico also has a quick guide to Democratic candidate positions. 

Eligibility

To be eligible to register and vote in New Hampshire you must be: 

  • 18 years of age or older on election day (you may register at 17 years old if you are 18 years old by the next election date)
  • A United States citizen
  • Domiciled (residing) where you seek to vote—including going to school

How to register to vote

You may apply to your town or city clerk’s office. You may also register with your community’s Supervisors of the Checklist. Check your town/city website or call your clerk’s office for the date, time, and location of the supervisor’s meeting. Qualified individuals may register to vote, at any election, at their polling place on Election Day.

If you meet the state’s qualifications and are unable to register in person because of disability or temporary absence, you may register by mail.

ID Requirements for registering

To register, you will need to provide proof of your identity, age, citizenship, and domicile. Proof can be either by documents or, if you do not have documents with you, by affidavit. Documents may be presented in paper or electronic form. 

  • A driver’s license or non-driver ID from any state satisfies proof of identity and age 
  • A birth certificate, U.S. passport/passcard, current military photo ID, or naturalization document satisfies proof of citizenship

For proof of domicile, you will need one of the following:

  • A New Hampshire driver’s license or non-driver ID showing your current address
  • A document issued or provided by your school with your name and address, either on paper or on a web page on your smart phone
  • A rental lease, tax bill, utility bill, or vehicle registration with address
  • A voter photo ID issued by the NH Division of Motor Vehicles at no cost to you

If you do not have or have forgotten any of these, you will still be able to register to vote, and to vote, using a regular Election Day ballot that is counted on Election Day.

ID Requirements for voting—one of the following

  • A driver’s license issued by any state or the federal government
  • Non-driver’s photo ID from any state
  • A birth certificate
  • A U.S. passport or passcard or current military photo ID
  • A valid student ID (issued or expired within 5 years) issued by public and private colleges and universities, community colleges, and licensed career schools
  • A valid student ID issued by a public high school or nonpublic high school approved by the NH Dept. of Education
  • A photo ID (not listed above) or other verification deemed acceptable by a Supervisor of the Checklist, Moderator, or town or city clerk
  • An affidavit filled out and signed by the voter and an authorized election officer

Absentee ballots

You can apply for an absentee ballot if you will be absent from your town or city on Election Day or unable to vote because of physical disability, military service or employment. Mail, fax, or hand-deliver to your local clerk by 5pm Election Day.

Address to use for registering and voting

Per federal law, college students can register and vote at either their campus address or their permanent home address. If you are not going to physically be in the state where you plan to vote, you will need to request an absentee ballot.

It’s your choice where to register. Registering at your campus address will not:

  • Affect your federal financial aid
  • Prevent your parents from claiming you as a dependent on their taxes
  • Cost you any scholarships, unless they’re tied to specific residency requirements
  • Affect your tuition status as an in-state or out-of-state student.

Key Resources