To the Editor;
What an exciting time to go to school in New Hampshire! Primary season is on its way, and we want you to know all your options for voting. Please use the web links for more complete information.
Registering to vote in person is quick and easy when you bring your valid state driver's license or non-driver ID, provided it shows the address that you are claiming as your voting domicile. A birth certificate (or copy) or passport will prove your citizenship. You may register in person at the town or city clerk's office up to10 days prior to an election or on election day at the polling place.
If you don't have proof of residence and/or proof of citizenship, you will be asked to sign a sworn affidavit attesting under oath your domicile or citizenship.
You can claim only one city/town as your domicile (legal residence) at a time. A domicile is that place, more than any other, where you sleep most nights of the year, or to which you intend to return after a temporary absence.
The date for the NH Primary may not be set until early November. It might occur during the UNH Winter Break. If it does, please get informed about all of your registration and voting options. For a list of current presidential primary dates around the country, check out Project Vote-Smart at http://www.vote-smart.org/election_president_state_primary_dates.php
Here are your voting options:
•Vote in your hometown on Primary Day.
•Vote using an absentee ballot. Register ahead of time or request an absentee registration affidavit and voter form from your town clerk. A list of New Hampshire clerks can be found at www.sos.nh.gov/clerks.htm
•If you live out of state and want information about state and congressional candidates, go to http://www.Politics1.com Please note that this site includes political content.
•You can also visit www.rockthevote.com/home.php if you are an out-of-state student choosing to vote at home and want to find out how to register on-line.
•Vote in Durham if you are prepared to declare it as your domicile. Check out the Town Clerk website at www.ci.durham.nh.us/ and click on "Register to Vote". Or call at (603) 868-5577. This office is located on 15 Newmarket Road. The direct link is http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/DEPARTMENTS/town_clerk/voting.html
Note: New Hampshire does not allow persons to register to vote on line.
If you live on campus and want to register to vote in Durham, your RHD or Apartment Manager will have a short form to fill out with you verifying that you are a resident of your hall or apartment. Just take the note to the Clerk's office when you go to register.
If you decide to change your voting domicile/legal residence, be sure to know how it affects health insurance, car insurance or car registration costs, income taxes, scholarships or grants that have residency conditions, or AAA membership. For information about voting as a college student, check out http://www.sos.nh.gov/electionsnew.html http://www.sos.nh.gov/College%20Student%20Voting.pdf QUESTIONS?
Visit the NH Secretary of State website at www.sos.nh.gov/college.html, or phone 1-866-868-3703. If you live in another state, contact your Town Clerk, or Secretary of State Office. Or visit the Election Assistance Commission's website at http://www.eac.gov/voter
For questions about grants or scholarships, call Financial Aid at (603) 862-3600.
The complete election laws are at www.state.nh.us/sos/statutes.htm. Or you can call 603.271.3242.
If you would like to view this as a word document on line please visit www.unh.edu/vpsas/unhvotes07.doc
DURHAM CHECKLIST SUPERVISORS WILL BE IN THE MUB FOOD COURT ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7 AND THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8. STOP BY FOR INFORMATION ON EITHER DAY, AND IF YOU WISH TO REGISTER OR PICK UP AN ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUEST FORM, STOP BY ON NOVEMBER 8. HOURS ARE FROM 11:00 AM UNTIL 3:00 PM EACH DAY.
We hope this is a helpful guide to exercising your most fundamental right to vote!
Sincerely,
Geoffrey Wellington Chair, UNH Student Senate External Affairs Council
Anne Lawing Senior Assistant Vice President for Student and Academic Services
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