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1. How do I register to vote?

Salem's Supervisors of the Checklist ("Supervisors") administer voter registration.

Registration may be completed at the Town Clerk's Office during regular business hours, during any scheduled supervisor session, and on election day at your polling location. Please note, the only time you are unable to complete a voter registration form is in the 10 days immediately preceding any election.

You are required to provide proof of age, residency and citizenship. Acceptable documents to verify age include: driver's license, passport or birth certificate. A driver's license can also be used to verify residency if it has your current Salem address. Otherwise, acceptable documents to verify residency include: utility bill, mortgage statement, credit card statement, bank statement or other similar document which shows your name and your current Salem address. If you were born outside of the United States, you will be asked to provide a passport or naturalization papers. Citizenship and residency affidavits are available if you cannot provide necessary documentation.

Once registered to vote, you can participate in all elections held in Salem as well as the Town and School Deliberative Sessions, generally held in early February prior to the March Town Election.

2. How do I vote absentee?

The following are reasons for which one is eligible to vote absentee:

• Absence from Town on election day or during polling hours
• Observance of a religious commitment
• By reason of a physical disability: Voters with symptoms of a communicable disease or illness; voters who, due to their own health circumstances, limit public exposure in their day-to-day life as a preventative measure
• Employment obligation, including care of children and infirm adults, with or without compensation

Obtaining an Absentee Ballot

An official Absentee Ballot Request Form may be obtained at the Town Clerk's Office either in person or by mail. Voters may write a letter of request for an absentee ballot. Official request forms may also be downloaded/printed: State Absentee Ballot Request 2024. All requests require a signature. 

If you are a Salem voter, mail your request to:

Salem Town Clerk
33 Geremonty Drive
Salem, NH 03079

Returning Your Ballot

Make your vote count! Carefully follow the instructions enclosed with your ballot. After marking your ballot, fold the marked ballot and seal it in the small affidavit envelope (Form A). Read and sign the affidavit envelope (Form A) and then place it in the return envelope and mail it to the Town Clerk's Office. Affix postage and mail the envelope so that it is received no later than 5 pm on election day by mail. If the ballot is hand delivered personally by the voter, it must be received at the Town Clerk's Office no later than 5 pm the day before election day. Absentee ballots delivered by the voter's delivery agent shall be received by the Town Clerk no later than 5 pm the day of the election.

Important Notice: Do not deposit your Absentee Ballots in the drop boxes located outside the Salem Town Hall; your ballot will be considered invalid and, therefore, not counted.

Tracking Your Ballot

You can track the status of your absentee ballot via the NH Absentee Ballot Status page.

3. Where do I vote?

View the Official Inventory of Streets and Polling Places (PDF). Click on the map for interactive guidance. Enter a street address or zoom to your residence then click to find polling information.

4. How do I change my voter information (name, address, party affiliation)?

Much like 1st time voter registration, Salem's Supervisors of the Checklist ("Supervisors") administer voter registration changes.

Changes to voter registration information (i.e. voter's name, residence, party affiliation, etc.) may be completed at the Town Clerk's Office during regular business hours, during any scheduled supervisor session, and on election day at your polling location. Please note, the only time you are unable to complete a voter registration form for any changes is in the 10 days immediately preceding any election.

Note: Party affiliation changes cannot be made within 90 days immediately preceding a primary election. Primary elections typically occur every even year in January and/or September.