It’s National Voter Education Week, and voting has way more weird little rules and quirks than you might think. So, naturally, I went looking for some of the strangest ones to share with you all:
Can I vote early in New Hampshire?
No. But you can request an absentee ballot if you have a qualified reason for not being able to vote in person.
Does your vote still count if you leave some races blank?
Yes. This is called an “undervote.” You don’t have to vote in every race on the ballot. The races you do vote in will still count.
What if you spill coffee on your ballot, rip it, or fill it out incorrectly?
You can ask for a replacement. In New Hampshire, if you spoil a ballot, you can return it and receive another one. State law allows voters to receive up to three ballots total. Returned ballots are marked “cancelled” by the moderator and preserved with other election materials.
Can you wear a campaign T-shirt into a polling place?
Probably not. New Hampshire prohibits electioneering within the designated “No Electioneering Zone” around a polling place. That includes wearing a hat, T-shirt, button or other item supporting a candidate. You’ll need to remove or cover it before entering the restricted area.
What happens if you accidentally mark two candidates in the same race?
That’s called an “overvote.” If a race tells you to vote for one candidate and you select two, your vote in that particular race will not count. It does not mean the rest of your ballot is thrown out. Properly marked votes in other races can still be counted.
Can you take a selfie with your ballot?
Yes. Voters can legally take “ballot selfies” in New Hampshire. The state’s previous prohibition on photographing a completed ballot was struck down by a federal court.
What happens if you’re still standing in line when the polls close?
You can still vote. If you are already in line when the polls close, stay in line and cast your ballot.
