Voting in New Hampshire, 2026
Every date and deadline for the November 3 general election, from registering to the final certificate, and who signs off on the result.
Every date, in order
- Mon, Nov 2 · 6 daysLast day for mail ballot applicationsRequests for a mailed absentee ballot are due by noon on Monday November 2, 2026, and in-person requests by 5 p.m. that day.2
- Tue, Nov 3 · 7 daysElection Day; Registration deadline; Mail ballots must arriveVoters can register and vote at the same time at the polls on Election Day. Before Election Day, the last day to register is the last meeting of the Supervisors of the Checklist, and mail-in registration deadlines vary. Absentee ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on Election Day.1
- Wed, Nov 4 · 8 daysCounty/Local canvass; County/Local certificationThe local count is reported by 8 a.m. the day after the election, November 4, unless the Secretary of State orders a different date.3
- Tue, Dec 15 · 49 daysDeadline to contest the resultA contest for a legislative seat must be filed on or before December 15, 2026. Deadlines for other offices are not specified.4
Questions people ask about voting in New Hampshire
Q. Can I vote early in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire does not offer in-person early voting or no-excuse absentee voting.
Q. When is the deadline to register to vote in New Hampshire?
Voters can register and vote at the same time at the polls on Election Day. Before Election Day, the last day to register is the last meeting of the Supervisors of the Checklist, and mail-in registration deadlines vary.
Q. What is the last day to request a mail ballot in New Hampshire?
Requests for a mailed absentee ballot are due by noon on Monday November 2, 2026, and in-person requests by 5 p.m. that day.
Q. When does my mail ballot have to arrive in New Hampshire?
Absentee ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on Election Day.
Q. Who certifies the election in New Hampshire, and by when?
The town clerk or city clerk canvases and prepares returns. Local returns are due at 8 a.m. on the day after the election, November 4, 2026, unless the Secretary of State sets another date. The Secretary of State receives the local results, prepares the statewide canvass and issues certificates for legislative and county offices, and the Governor issues certificates for president and Congress. The statewide result is canvassed and certified after the time to ask for a recount or appeal has passed.
Q. What happens after the count in New Hampshire, and when is there a recount?
Certificates of election issue when the time for any recount or appeal to the ballot law commission or superior court has expired, or all candidates waive in writing. The governor issues certificates to presidential electors, United States senators and representatives, and the secretary of state issues them to state senators, state representatives and county officers.
Q. How long is there to contest an election in New Hampshire?
A contest for a legislative seat must be filed on or before December 15, 2026. Deadlines for other offices are not specified.
Sources
- Vote.org, New Hampshire Election Center, https://www.vote.org/state/new-hampshire/
- US Vote Foundation, New Hampshire Election Dates and Deadlines, https://www.usvotefoundation.org/new-hampshire-election-dates-and-deadlines
- NCSL, Canvass Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/canvass-deadlines
- NCSL, Contested Election Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/contested-election-deadlines
- NASS, State Election Canvassing Timeframes and Recount Thresholds, https://www.nass.org/node/2455
- Bolts, Who counts our elections, https://boltsmag.org/whats-on-the-ballot/who-counts-our-elections/
- NCSL, Election Certification Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/election-certification-deadlines
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