FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Anna Sventek, Communications Director
New Hampshire Secretary of State
Anna.Sventek@sos.nh.gov | (603) 731-2286
Terri Hood, Keene City Clerk
thood@keenenh.gov| (603) 352-0133 ext. 2
KEENE, NH (September 18, 2025): New Hampshire Secretary of State David M. Scanlan and
Keene City Clerk Terri Hood remind Keene residents of the requirements to register to vote
ahead of the October 7 Municipal Primary Election.
Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day. Voters can find their ward and polling
location on the city clerk’s website.
Required documents
To register to vote in Keene, an individual must be a United States citizen, at least 18 years old
by the date of the election, and have their primary residence (domicile) in the Keene city ward
they wish to register in.
When registering, individuals will need to prove they are qualified. The proof documents listed
below are the most commonly used forms of proof, but the lists are not exhaustive:
- Proof of identity and age – driver’s license, or government-issued photo identification,
or passport/passport card. - Proof of citizenship – birth certificate, or United States passport, or naturalization
documents, or other proof of citizenship issued by the United States Department of
State, or other reasonable documentation which indicates the applicant is a United
States citizen. - Proof of domicile – A NH driver’s license, or NH non-driver ID, or NH resident vehicle
registration, or federal picture identification, or government-issued check, or benefit
statement, or tax document with the current domicile address listed. If an applicant
attests that they do not possess any of these, they can use a rental/lease agreement, or
utility or other bill with the current domicile, or the Confirmation of Domicile Form
(blank form provided by local election officials which must also be signed by a person
owning, leasing, or renting the domicile property), or the Homeless Confirmation of
Domicile Form.
A list of acceptable documents individuals can use when registering to vote can be found in the
Secretary of State’s “Registering to Vote in NH” document, which is posted on
www.sos.nh.gov/elections/register-vote.
If an applicant does not provide acceptable documentary proof of identity, age, United States
citizenship, and/or domicile, they are not eligible to register to vote.
Registered voters must prove their identity at the polls on election day to receive a ballot. Most
do so by showing a qualified photo ID such as a driver’s license or non-driver ID.
Where to register
Before the election, Keene residents can register at the Keene City Clerk’s Office, at the
supervisors of the checklist meeting, or, if they qualify, by absentee.
The last day Keene residents can register at the Keene City Clerk’s Office is Tuesday, September
25, between 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The supervisors of the checklist will meet on the same day
from 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. To update the voter checklist and accept any new voter registration
applications. This is the last time residents will be able to register to vote before the election.
New Hampshire also offers election-day registration. Residents who miss the deadline to
register before the election can register to vote at the polls on the day of the election.
Absentee voting changes
Effective September 30, any individual registering to vote by absentee for a qualified reason
must provide proof of their U.S. citizenship and age in addition to domicile and identity with
their registration application.
Registered voters who request an absentee ballot September 30 or later must show proof of
their identity to receive their absentee ballot. If sending their absentee ballot request by mail,
the voter must include a copy of their photo identification or a notarized signature on their
absentee ballot application form. If the voter is obtaining their absentee ballot in person, they
must show the Keene City Clerk their photo identification (digital proof is also accepted) or a
notarized absentee ballot application form.
Those who send in absentee registration requests that are received by the clerk before the new
law takes effect on September 30 are not required to enclose proof of U.S. citizenship and age
with their registration application.
Those who request an absentee ballot before September 30 are not required to show proof of
identity.
Instructions on how to register and vote by absentee, along with detailed guidance on the
change in requirements, are available at www.sos.nh.gov/elections/absentee-ballots.
To learn more about the Keene Municipal Primary Election, visit the Keene City Clerk’s website.
