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.

return to top

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 than 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, 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 then both the affidavit and the voter registration card are to be returned to the City Clerk.

Party Affiliation

Please Note: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 will be the last day to change Party Affiliation prior to the State Primary Election on September 11, 2012.

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 by visiting the Registrars table at the polling location.

 

UPCOMING ELECTION(S)

• State Primary Election – September 11, 2012
• General Election – November 6, 2012

The polling hours for the State Primary Election, September 11, 2012, will be set by the City Council at an upcoming City Council Meeting.

Voters may register at the polls on Election Day.

Ward One – New Franklin School – Franklin Drive

• Off Woodbury Avenue, between Anchorage and Best Inns

Ward Two* – North Church Parish House – 355 Spinney Road

• Off Middle Road

Ward Three – Sherburne School (Robert J. Lister Academy) – 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

Ward Five – Little Harbour School – Clough Drive

• Off South Street near the cemetery

*Due to the construction taking place at the Middle School, Ward Two polling location has been temporarily relocated.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS AND APPLICATIONS:

In order to receive an Absentee Ballot for the September 11, 2012 State Primary Election, you must be a registered voter in the City of Portsmouth and meet the criteria for receiving absentee ballots as stated below.  You must fill out an Absentee Ballot Application Formand submit the form either in person or through the mail.   Absentee ballots are not yet available for the September 11, 2012 primary election.

return to top

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.

---

Sample ballots for the State Primary Election are not currently available. When the sample ballots are received they will be 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

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