How to Register to Vote

Residents of Ashland who will be 18 years of age or older o­n election day and are a citizen of the United State may register to vote at the Town Office up to 10 days before any election. Please remember that you must be a citizen of the United States to vote, even o­n Town elections. o­n Election Day, you may register at the polls that are located at the Ashland School Gymnasium. There is no minimum period of time you are required to have lived in the state before being allowed to register. You may register as soon as you have moved into this community.

Necessary Documentation and Information

In addition to filling out the voter’s registration form, proof of age, domicile (legal address) and citizenship must be presented.

Please provide o­ne of the following items as proof of age:

• NH driver’s license/state ID card
• Birth Certificate
• Passport

Please provide o­ne of the following items as proof of domicile:

• NH driver’s license/state ID with an Ashland address imprinted
• At least two pieces of official mail that has been received at the Ashland address

Please provide/complete o­ne of the following items as proof of citizenship:

• Birth Certificate
• Passport
• Complete and sign a citizenship affidavit provided by the town when you register.
• Naturalized citizens must provide their naturalization documents with the date and the name of the court where naturalized.

Absentee Registration

If you meet the state’s voter requirements and qualifications and are unable to register in person because of a disability, religious beliefs, military service, or because of temporary absence, you may register by mail. You may request and Absentee Registration Affidavit and a Voter Registration Card from the Town Clerk. The Absentee Registration Affidavit must be witnessed and then the affidavit, supporting documentation and the voter registration card are to be returned to the Town Clerk. Please be sure to note any Town Clerk’s office registration deadlines to allow for mailing.

Overseas Citizens and Armed Forces Registration

Generally, all US Citizens 18 years or older who are or will be residing outside the United States during any period are eligible to vote absentee in any election for Federal office. In addition, all members of the Uniformed Services, their family members, and members of the Merchant Marine and their family members, who are US citizens, may vote absentee in Federal, state and local elections. The Federal Voting Assistance Program and the 2004-2005 voting Assistance Guide are good sources of information for citizens covered by this. For an armed service voter, “legal voting residence” can be the state or territory where you last resided prior to entering military service or the state or territory that you have since claimed as your legal residence. For all citizens, “legal state of residence” for voting purposes is the state or territory where you last resided immediately prior to your departure from the United States. For more specifics o­n determining voting residency please use the Voting Assistance Guide.

Political Affiliation

When registering to vote, you are not required to register as a member of a political party, i.e. as a Republican or a Democrat; you may register as an “undeclared” voter. However, while all registered voters are allowed to vote in the general election, o­nly party members can vote in a primary election. The law allows an undeclared voter to pick a party at the polls, vote the ballot of that party, and then change their party affiliation back to undeclared status by completing the form available from the Supervisors of the Checklist at the polling place. Voters should be aware of their party status before a primary election. If you are unsure of your party affiliation, please call the Town Office at 968-4432.

Changing Parties

If you voted o­n a party ballot in a state or presidential primary, you are now a registered member of that political party unless you CORRECTLY filled out a card at the polls to return to undeclared status. If you are a party member and wish to change your registration status, please initiate this change by applying to the Town Clerk’s office. Be sure to call the office to inquire about any deadlines.

Absentee Ballots

Absentee ballots are available from the Town Clerk 30 days prior to an election. Request the absentee ballot application in person from the clerk; submit a request in writing, which will include your names, voting affiliation, a mailing address and your signature. Clerks may receive completed absentee ballots submitted in person until 5PM the day before an election or until 5PM o­n Election Day if received through the mail.

Absentee Ballot Applications

• Town Meeting
• Presidential Primary
• State Primary
• State General Election
• Armed Services Primary
• o­n-Line Federal Postcard Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request (for members of the Armed Services and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voters)

Voting Machines

The Town of Ashland utilizes the ACCUVOTE voting system. o­n the AccuVote Ballot, the voter fills in an oval placed next to a candidate’s name. After voting, the voter places the ballot in an optical scanning machine that reads all votes cast o­n that ballot.