VOTING AS A COLLEGE STUDENT

    Students attending college in New Hampshire are encouraged to register to vote and to exercise that right in their home town or in the town or city where they live while attending college provided they establish their legal domicile in that town or city.

    New Hampshire law permits a qualified voter who is a college student to vote by mail, using an absentee ballot, at the town/city where the student was domiciled in New Hampshire prior to moving to attend college, provided the student will be absent from that home town on election day.  Students attending college in New Hampshire from other states may also have the right to vote by absentee ballot at their home town in their home state.

Registering to Vote Absentee
    If you will be away from your home town or place of domicile on election day and will not be home before an election, you may register to vote by requesting the absentee voter registration form from your town or city clerk.  Names and addresses of all clerks are located on the web at: www.nh.gov/sos/clerks.htm.

Voting Absentee
    If you are already registered to vote in your home town, or if you have registered to vote absentee, you may request an absentee ballot from your town or city clerk where you will be voting.  You may apply by letter or by using the appropriate application, which you can download from the secretary of state's website at www.nh.gov/sos/elections.htm  For the January Presidential Primary you should submit your request now.  The Clerk will keep it on file and send you a ballot as soon as they are prepared.  When mailing back the absentee ballot, make sure it is received by the town clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day of the election.

Registering to vote in person
    Registering to vote is quick and easy when you can bring your valid New Hampshire driver's license or non-driver ID, provided it shows the address that you are claiming as your voting domicile.

    You may register in person at the town or city clerk's office up to 10 days prior to an election or on election day at the polling place.

    Whether you register at your previous domicile (in your home town) or at a college address, you must present documentation to establish your identity, age, domicile and citizenship.  Your New Hampshire driver's license, provided it shows the address you are claiming as your voting domicile, will be proof of age and domicile and will establish your identity.  If you do not have a current New Hampshire driver's license, you can prove your qualifications in other ways:

Identity
    Driver's license (New Hampshire or out-of-state); a U.S. or state-issued photo I.D.; a passport, or any other proof determined reasonable by the supervisors of the checklist.

    A new federal law, Help America Vote Act (HAVA) requires each voter to provide a driver's license or non-driver ID number (if the voter has a license or non-driver ID from any State) or, only if the voter is not registered, the last four digits of your social security number.  See section on legal significance below.

Age
    Birth certificate (or copy), passport, driver's license, or non-driver identification.

U.S. Citizenship
    Birth certificate (or copy), passport or citizenship affidavit.

Domicile (Legal address)
    New Hampshire driver's license with address showing you reside in that town or city, motor vehicle registration or government issued photo ID with your current address, or any other proof accepted as reasonable by the supervisors of the checklist or a domicile affidavit.

When to Register
    You are encouraged to register to vote now.  You can do this at the town or city clerk's office.  Remember to bring your driver's license or non-driver ID, if you have one.  You will avoid waiting in registration lines on election day if you register at least ten days before the election.  You may also register and vote on election day.

The legal significance of establishing or changing your voting domicile/legal residence.

    YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE IS NOT AFFECTED BY WHERE YOU OBTAIN A DRIVER'S LICENSE OR REGISTER YOUR CAR.   However, you may be subject to fines, administrative penalties, or loss of driving privileges under the motor vehicle laws if you establish legal domicile/residence in New Hampshire and fail, within 60 days, to obtain a New Hampshire license showing that address or if you fail, within 60 days, to register your car in New Hampshire at that address.

Establishing a voting domicile has the effect of also making that place your legal residence for many purposes including motor vehicle laws.  Voting records will be routinely matched with motor vehicle department records to ensure valid information is provided in the voter registration process.  Establishing a legal residence carries with it the duty to get a NH license if you are going to drive in NH and to register your vehicle here, if you have one, through that town/city.  Failing to comply with these motor vehicle laws, however, will NOT affect your right to vote.

    Changing your legal address may affect other legal interests.  None of these changes affects your right to register and vote where you were domiciled prior to coming to college or your right to register and vote where you are domiciled while attending college, but changing your legal address can cause unrelated changes to things like:

    Do not let these concerns discourage you from voting, however.  For a few students it may be important to register and vote in the "home town" where you resided before coming to college.  Generally, establishing a legal residence or domicile for voting purposes in New Hampshire after you have entered a public college here will not change your tuition status.  If you have questions or concerns regarding whether changing your legal residence will affect any of these legal interests you should inquire with your insurance company, your tax advisor, the organization or entity that granted you a scholarship/grant, AAA, or your college admissions officials.

    State and local election officials do not have information on the many different insurance programs, scholarships, and grants that exist and will not be able to answer questions about the legal effect of changing your legal residence.

    If you have questions about the election laws, the complete laws are available at www.state.nh.us/sos/statutes.htm  Questions may also be directed to the Secretary of State's Office at 603-271-3242 or to your town/city supervisors of the checklist/clerk.  If you believe your rights as a voter are being denied you may file a complaint with the Attorney General's Office by calling toll free 1-866-868-3703 (1-866-voter03).