As I write this, the date for the New Hampshire Primary has not been set. However, a very important deadline has been set by the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s Office. October 6, 2023, is the last day for voters to change their party affiliation before the primary. 

Please remember that when you go to vote in the Primary, you will be handed the ballot that matches your party affiliation. Registered Democrats receive the Democratic Primary ballot; registered Republicans receive the Republican Primary ballot. Only voters who are registered “undeclared” may choose which ballot they will receive.

At every Primary that I have helped administer, there have been voters who were surprised and dismayed because the party affiliation listed on the checklist was not what they expected it would be, and they were not handed the ballot that they wanted to receive. There are many reasons why this could happen, but the important point here is that every voter should take the time to go to the NH Secretary of State’s website to check their party affiliation, and if it is not what you want it to be then you must take action. 

No election official may alter your party affiliation on Election Day. Please go to the Secretary of State’s website: app.sos.nh.gov/voterinformation. At this website you will need to select your town, and enter your name and birthdate. After you hit enter, scroll down and you should see your voter information, including your party affiliation.

If your party affiliation is not what you would like it to be, there are two things you can do. You can see Lisa Meier, our Town Clerk, during her regular hours at Town Hall and change your party affiliation before October 6. Your last chance to change your party affiliation is October 6, 7 to 7:30 PM, the deadline established by the Secretary of State’s Office. At that time, the Supervisors of the Checklist will be available at Town Hall to make corrections to the checklist.