Town/School 2026 Election UPDATES

Hi, Lyme! 

Absentee Ballots

______________________________​_____________________

Absentee ballots for Lyme’s 2026 Town/School Election are now available at the Town Clerk’s Office. 

In New Hampshire a voter is entitled to cast their ballot via absentee for one of the following reasons: 

1. They plan to be absent on the day of the election from the town where they’re domiciled; OR

2. They are confined in a penal institution for a misdemeanor or while awaiting trial; OR

3. They cannot appear in public on election day because of observance of a religious commitment; OR

4. They are unable to vote in person due to a disability; OR

5. They cannot appear at any time during polling hours at their polling place because of an employment obligation. For the purposes of this application, the term “employment” shall include the care of children and infirm adults, with or without compensation. 

There is also a stipulation for those requesting absentee ballots the Monday immediately prior to the election in the event of the National Weather Service issuing a winter storm warning, blizzard warning, or ice storm warning on election day. 

All voters interested in obtaining absentee ballots must submit an absentee ballot application which may be picked up here at our office or you may utilize the attachment below. As a reminder, the application requires a wet signature. You are permitted to email the form back to me, if you so choose.

New this year is the legal requirement for all voters to verify identity in order to obtain absentee ballots. You may do this in one of three ways: 

1. Include a copy of your photo identification with the absentee ballot application. The identification must meet the requirements of RSA 659:13, II(a); OR 

2. Personally present a qualifying photo identification, as defined in RSA 659:13, II(a), to the town clerk or their designee prior to the issuance of the absentee ballots; OR 

3. Including a notarized signature on the absentee ballot application form. 

The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot be mailed to you is 12 pm on the Monday prior to the election. Our office will be open that Monday from 3-5 pm to accept completed absentee ballots filed in person or delivered by an absentee voter’s delivery agent. 

Absentee ballots delivered through the mail or by the voter’s delivery agent must be received by the town clerk no later than 5 pm on the day of the election. The law is also specific regarding who qualifies as a delivery agent, so if you’re unsure please feel free to reach out. Please be advised that if you are using a delivery agent to return your ballots on election day they must complete a delivery agent form and provide valid photo identification or have their identity verified by the town clerk. 

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. There’s a lot of changes, so please don’t feel like you need to sort it all out on your own.

\ Town/School Absentee Ballot Application

Thank you, 

Emily Shepard

Town Clerk

One High Street

Lyme, NH 03768

(603) 795-2535