HomeElectionsNH Secretary of State: New Election Law Changes for Voter Registration

NH Secretary of State: New Election Law Changes for Voter Registration

Published on

On November 8, 2024, the Secretary of State’s Office, with the advice of the Attorney General’s Office, issued a memorandum regarding the implementation of HB 1569, effective November 11, 2024. This law introduces several changes to voter registration processes, which are outlined below.

Key Changes

  1. Elimination of Affidavit Use
    • Applicants can no longer complete affidavits as an alternative to proving voter qualifications.
    • Applicants must provide acceptable documentary proof of identity, age, U.S. citizenship, and domicile. Without this documentation, they are ineligible to register to vote.
    • Encourage applicants to retrieve the necessary documents and return to your office to complete the registration process.

Guidance and Resources

  • A document titled “Registering to Vote in New Hampshire – November 2024” is attached to this memorandum. Please review it thoroughly, make copies available to applicants, and consider linking to the Secretary of State’s website on your town/city website to provide the most up-to-date information.

Outdated Documents to Discard

Please locate and destroy the following documents, as they are no longer valid:

  • Registering to Vote in New Hampshire – November 2023 (or any earlier version)
  • Voter Registration Form – July 2016 (or any version other than November 2024)
  • Domicile Affidavit (all versions)
  • Qualified Voter Affidavit (all versions)
  • Challenged Voter Affidavit (all versions)
  • New American Pocket Voter Guides (all languages)
  • Affidavit Ballot Packages

Note: Our office will provide additional information later on the collection of cameras and film.

New Forms Effective November 11, 2024

The following updated forms are attached to this memorandum:

  • New Hampshire Voter Registration Form – November 2024
    (For all applications received on or after November 11, 2024)
  • Attestation of Not Possessing Qualified Domicile Proof Documents
    (For applicants using alternative documentation of domicile as listed in RSA 654:12, I)

    • Acceptable Documents:
      • New Hampshire driver’s license or identification card
      • New Hampshire resident vehicle registration
      • U.S. government-issued picture identification with a current address
      • Government-issued check, benefit statement, or tax document
  • Confirmation of Domicile Form
    (For use by a parent, landlord, or property owner to confirm an applicant’s domicile)
  • Homeless Confirmation of Domicile Form
    (For use by homeless applicants to confirm mail receipt at a shelter or similar facility)
  • Registering to Vote in New Hampshire – November 2024
    (An explanation of voter registration requirements for both election officials and the public)

Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS) Updates

Changes to the law will require updates to the SVRS, which will be implemented on January 2, 2025.

  • Data Entry Deadlines:
    • Enter the voter history of those using a Challenged Voter Affidavit (CVA) by December 31, 2024.
    • Enter all other voter history as soon as possible.
    • Enter all voter registration applications received on or before November 10, 2024, by December 31, 2024.
    • Do not enter new voter registrations, name changes, party changes, or address changes received after November 11, 2024, until January 2, 2025. Retain paper records until the system updates are implemented.

Further Guidance

This memorandum provides initial guidance to clerks and supervisors on processing voter registration applications starting November 11, 2024. More comprehensive instructions, including procedures for election-day voter registration, will be issued well in advance of the next scheduled elections in March 2025.

Latest Posts

Rochester Police Issue Vehicle Theft Warning, Offers Tips to Keep Your Car Secure

Over the past couple of weeks, the Rochester Police Department (RPD) has responded to...

First Church Congregational Announces the Passing of Longtime Church Secretary Linda Maynard

First Church Congregational, UCC, Rochester, has announced the unexpected passing of Linda Maynard, who...

Planned Water Service Disruption on Haig Street on 12/12

The Department of Public Works will be temporarily shutting off water service on Haig...

Rochester Historical Society to host Christmas Tea on December 12

The Rochester Historical Society (RHS) invites the community to its annual Christmas Tea on...

More like this

First Church Congregational Announces the Passing of Longtime Church Secretary Linda Maynard

First Church Congregational, UCC, Rochester, has announced the unexpected passing of Linda Maynard, who...

Planned Water Service Disruption on Haig Street on 12/12

The Department of Public Works will be temporarily shutting off water service on Haig...

Rochester Historical Society to host Christmas Tea on December 12

The Rochester Historical Society (RHS) invites the community to its annual Christmas Tea on...