Salem Announces Voter Registration Session For Upcoming State Primary

SALEM, NH — Salem residents who still need to register before the upcoming state primary will have a chance to do so at a Sept. 1 session at the Municipal Office Building.

The Supervisors of the Checklist of Salem will be in session from 5 to 5:30 p.m on Tuesday, Sept. 1, on the lower level of the building to register new voters.

The session is for Salem residents who will be 18 by Sept. 8 and can present acceptable documentation. New Hampshire election law also allows a person to register to vote at the polls if they present the required documentation. A picture ID and proof of domicile are required. A driver's license is also acceptable. Citizenship can be proven with either a passport or a certified copy of a birth certificate. Naturalized citizens must show a passport or documented citizenship papers.

Residents may also register with the town clerk during regular office hours through 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1. That gives voters another option before the 30-minute evening session.

Voters already registered in a party may not change their affiliation at the Sept. 1 session under RSA 654:33 and must vote for the party they are registered in on primary day. Undeclared voters may choose a party to vote in and then switch back to undeclared status after they vote. The release states that supervisors will be available for that process at a table near the polling place exit.

The notice also urges residents to update their address before Election Day if their polling location may differ from the one listed on the checklist. The law requires voters to cast ballots at the polling area listed on the checklist. According to the release, voters who do not update an address beforehand at the Municipal Office Building or during the Sept. 1 session may be asked to go to their original polling place.

Copies of the current voter checklist are available at the Kelley Library reference desk and at the Town Clerk's office, according to the release.