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 or are confused, 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

Apply at the Office of the City Clerk with the following information:

• Picture ID and proof of a current physical address.  No post office box addresses or business addresses are accepted.



• If you were not born in the United States, you must complete a citizenship affidavit swearing that you are a citizen of the United States and at least 18 years old.  If you have your naturalization papers you may produce those as well, however they are not required.

Alternate Options (other then above)

• You may register on Election Day.



• 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 then 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.

---

STATE PRIMARY FILING PERIOD

The Office of the City Clerk will accept filings for candidates to file for the office of STATE REPRESENTATIVE for the Republican or Democratic primaries or DELEGATE TO THE REPUBLICAN STATE CONVENTION during the filing period of June 4, 2008 – June 13, 2008. All candidates must pay a $2.00 administrative assessment fee when they file the declaration of candidacy OR file 5 primary petitions along with an assent to candidacy, in lieu of the administrative assessment fee.

There is no fee to file for Delegate to the Republican State Convention. The Office of the City Clerk can only accept filings to the Republican State Convention. Anyone wishing to be a delegate to the Democratic Convention must contact the Democratic State Committee at 225-6899.

The Office of the City Clerk will extend their hours until 5:00 p.m. on June 13th the last day of the filing period pursuant to RSA 652:20

---

ELECTION DAY VOTER REGISTRATION

Voters may register at the polls on Election Day.

---

VOTING LOCATIONS

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 Lafayette Rd take McKinley Rd to Van Buren Avenue

Ward Five - Little Harbour School - Clough Drive
Off South Street near the cemetery

---

ABSENTEE BALLOTS:

• Absentee Ballot Applications

• Primary Election Military Absentee

There are three 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.

Sample Ballots:

Sample ballots will be available at the Office of the City Clerk during office hours as we approach the September Primary Election.  The sample ballots 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@ch.cityofportsmouth.com.

The last day to change your political party affiliation prior to the September State Primary is Tuesday, June 3, 2008.  The Board of Registrars will have evening hours on June 3, 2008 to accept changes.  The hours will be from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in Room 211 of City Hall.  Please be advised that changes are accepted Monday – Friday at the Office of the City Clerk from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 pm.

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.