Voting Information

Please click here to view a listing of wards by street name and numbers. If you have any doubts as to your ward, please contact the office and we will assist you.

Please be sure that your address is accurately listed on the checklist to avoid problems on Election Day.  Remember, you must vote in the ward where you reside.

• Click here for the Street Listing

Information Required

When determining the qualifications of an applicant, the supervisors of the checklist, or the town or city clerk, shall require the applicant to present proof of citizenship, age, and domicile, as provided in the following categories:

CITIZENSHIP

The supervisors of the checklist, or the town or city clerk, shall accept from the applicant any one of the following as proof of citizenship: the applicant’s birth certificate, a passport, naturalization papers if the applicant is a naturalized citizen, a citizenship affidavit, or any other reasonable documentation which indicates the applicant is a United States citizen.

AGE

Any reasonable documentation indicating the applicant is 18 years of age or older.

DOMICILE

Any reasonable documentation which indicates that the applicant has a domicile and intends to maintain a domicile, as defined in this chapter, in the town, city or ward in which he or she desires to vote, or if the applicant does not have reasonable documentation in his or her possession at the place and time of voter registration, an affidavit may be completed.

Picture ID is encouraged but not required.  No post office box addresses or business addresses are accepted.

Alternate Options (other then above)

 

1. You may register on Election Day.

2. If you meet the state’s voter requirements and qualifications and are unable to register in person because of physical disability, religious beliefs, military service, or because of temporary absence, you may register by mail.  You should request an Absentee Registration Affidavit and a Voter Registration Card from the City Clerk.  The Absentee Registration Affidavit must be witnessed and than both the affidavit and the voter registration card are to be returned to the City Clerk.

 

Party Affiliation

When registering to vote, you will not be required to register as a member of a political party (Democrat or Republican) – you may register as an undeclared voter. 

Undeclared Status

Undeclared voters will be required to declare their party at the polls during a Primary Election.  Undeclared voters are allowed to change their party affiliation back to undeclared status after voting on Primary Election Day.

 

MUNICIPAL ELECTION

The next Election will be the Municipal Election Tuesday, November 3, 2009.

The Municipal Election will be held Tuesday, November 3, 2009.

The Municipal Election will be held Tuesday, November 3, 2009.

The polling hours for the Municipal Election are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Ward One – New Franklin School – Franklin Drive

• Off Woodbury Avenue, between Anchorage and Best Inns

Ward Two – Junior High School – Parrott Avenue

• On the South Mill Pond next to Portsmouth District Court

Ward Three – Sherburne School – Sherburne Road

• From Route 33, hospital traffic light intersection
• From Route 1, take Borthwick Avenue to the end

Ward Four – Dondero School* – Van Buren Avenue

• Off McKinley Road, Elwyn Park

*PLEASE Be advised that Ward 4 Voting will return to Dondero School for the Municipal Election.

Ward Five – Little Harbour School – Clough Drive

• Off South Street near the cemetery

ABSENTEE BALLOTS AND APPLICATIONS:

In order to receive an Absentee Ballot for the November 3, 2009 Municipal Election, you must be a registered voter in the City of Portsmouth and meet the criteria for receiving absentee ballots as stated below.  You may fill out this Absentee Ballot Application Form and submit the form either in person or through the mail.   Absentee Ballots for the Municipal Election are currently available.

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There are four reasons available under the law for individuals to receive an absentee ballot.  Commuters please read information under Absence from City.

• Absence from City:  A person is unable to appear at any time during polling hours at polling place because they will be working on election day or will be otherwise absent on election day from the city and will be unable to vote in person.

• Absence Because of Religious Observance:  A person is observing a religious commitment which prevents them from voting in person.

• Physical Disability:  A person is unable to vote in person due to a physical disability.

• Absence from City due to Employment:   A person at any time during polling hours cannot appear because of an employment obligation requires them to remain physically at work, or to be in transit to or from work from the time the polls open until after the time the polls close.

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Sample ballots for the Municipal Election are currently available and are also on display at the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall Public Notice Board, Portsmouth Public Library, and here on this web page.

Sample ballots will be posted on Election Day at each polling location.

Sample Ballot – Ward 1
Sample Ballot – Ward 2
Sample Ballot – Ward 3
Sample Ballot – Ward 4
Sample Ballot – Ward 5

Candidates’ Night(s) for the Municipal Election:

Citizens for Voter Education will be conducting Candidates’ Nights for those individuals running for office in November 2009.  The schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Fire Commission
Police Commission
School Board

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

City Council Candidates

The forums will take place from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. in the Eileen Dondero Foley City Council Chambers at City Hall, Junkins Avenue, Portsmouth.  The forums will be televised live on Channel 22 and re-broadcast on Saturday, October 24 at 7pm, Saturday October 31 at 7pm and Monday November 2 at 7pm.

If you have any questions, please contact our office at (603) 610-7207 or via email at cityclerk@ch.cityofportsmouth.com.