FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS for rye voters

How do I find information on how to vote in New Hampshire?

The NH Secretary of State’s website https://www.sos.nh.gov has all relevant information including registration, absentee voting, etc. Updated information may continue to occur on the website. For more information, call the SoS Office at (603) 271-3242 or email elections@sos.nh.gov.

I am not registered in town or do not know if I am still on the list as an eligible voter. What do I do?

1. New Hampshire residents who are US citizens aged 18 or older on day of the election are eligible to vote.

2. To verify if you are on the voter list, you can call the Rye Town Clerk’s office (603) 964-8562 during office hours (8:00am - 4:30pm Monday-Thursday and 8:00am - 12:00pm Friday) and speak to the Town Clerk, Donna Decotis, or members of her staff at the Rye Town Hall.

3. You can check your status online at https://app.sos.nh.gov/voterinformation

I need to register and intend to vote in person. What do I do?

1. Registration to vote in person is not available online.

2. You can go to the Rye Town Hall (window open 8:00AM - 4:30PM Monday-Thursday and 8:00AM - 12:00PM Friday) to register up to 10 days prior to an election (sometimes closer), at certain meetings for the Supervisors of the Checklist (usually 6-13 days prior to election), or at the polls on Election Day.

3. For additional questions, you can call (603) 964-8562 to speak to Town Clerk Donna Decotis or one of her staff.

I have never voted by absentee ballot. Am I eligible?

Conditions for absentee ballot have reverted to pre-COVID-19 criteria.

Per NH Elections legal counsel assistant Orville Fitch II, “Disability” for the election law purposes has the same meaning today as it had pre-pandemic.  The nature of the voter’s disability must leave the “unable to vote in person” according to the Constitution and the absentee voting statue”.”

Fear of COVID-19 infection is no longer included in the criteria for requesting an absentee ballot.

You may request an application for an absentee ballot from the Town of Rye website or in person at the Town Hall 8:00AM - 4:30PM Monday-Thursday and 8:00AM - 12:00PM Friday.

How do I get the application for my absentee ballot?

1. You may request an application for an absentee ballot from the Town of Rye website, in person at the Town Hall, 8:00AM - 4:30PM Monday-Thursday and 8:00AM - 12:00PM Friday or Call (603) 964-8562.

2. You can download and print an application at https://www.town.rye.nh.us/town-clerk-tax-collector/pages/voting-elections

3. The Town Clerk is dedicated to getting every voter the material s/he needs. If you are unable to get to the Town Hall or download/print an application, you may call Donna Decotis to ask for her help in getting the application to you.

4. While there is no specific deadline, earlier is better in order for the Town Clerk to enter your data, send you the ballot, and have you return it on time.  

What if I have a relative at Webster at Rye or Evolve? Can they register to vote and request an absentee ballot?

1. The Disability Rights Center-NH (https://drcnh.org/know-your-rights/know-your-voting-rights-your-voting-rights-at-a-glance/) notes: “If you live in an institution, you are still entitled to vote unless that right has specifically been terminated by law due to guardianship or criminal conviction.”

2. NH Secretary of State site: www.sos.nh.gov/elections/learn-about-voting-disabilities

3. Donna Decotis coordinates with Webster at Rye on absentee voting applications and is committed to helping in individual cases.

Now I have the application. Now what?

1. Read the directions carefully as signatures are required designating your reason for asking for an absentee ballot and how to return the application. Indicate that you want a ballot for the General Election. You may have already requested both the Primary and General Election ballots.

2. If living with a disability, you may receive assistance in filling out the application. That person will sign and attest to helping because of your disability.

How can I return my application for my absentee ballot?

1. Allow at least two-three weeks if mailing. You may mail the application (requires 84 cents of stamps – the current forever stamp is worth 60 cents) or bring it to the Town Hall (Monday-Thursday 8:00 – 4:30PM or Friday 8-12PM.

2. You may give the ballot application to a person who can either mail it for you or bring it to the Town Hall.

3. The Town Hall does not have a drop box for applications or the ballot.

4. Rye Post Office lobby hours are 6AM–5:15PM Monday-Friday and 6AM–12PM on Saturday. The window is open is open 9AM–5PM Monday-Friday and 9AM–12PM on Saturday.

5. The Rye Beach Post Office lobby hours are 7:30AM–5:00PM Monday through Friday and 7:30AM to noon on Saturday. The window is open 9:00AM to noon and 2:00-4:30PM Monday through Friday and 9:00 to 11:30AM on Saturday.

6. Mailing inside either branch in their “Rye” box will get delivered the next delivery day or the next delivery day after depending how late in the day the application was mailed.

7. Both branches make an effort to pick out ballot-related mail to avoid going to Manchester, but it’s still safest to mail from inside.

When will my ballot for the General Election be mailed to me?

The timing of releasing the General Election ballots is up to the state of NH. Usually, the ballots are available 30 days prior to the election.

My ballot has been mailed to me. Now what?

1. Vote for your chosen candidates, of course!

2. Follow the directions carefully for signing and dating in the correct places and how to use both envelopes for returning the ballot. Place the completed affidavit envelope, containing the marked ballot, inside the larger envelope.

How do I return my ballot?

1. Same procedure as for returning the absentee ballot application.

2. Ballot must be received (not postmarked) by 5PM of Election Day. Counting will start Election Day 10AM.

3. Only difference is a “delivery agent” (person returning the ballot to the Town Hall for you) can be used due to absence, religious observance or disability. Family members, nursing home and elder care facility administrators, and a person assisting a voter with a disability who signs the absentee ballot affidavit (limited to delivering ballots for 4 voters) may be a delivery agent. That person fills out a form attesting their relationship to you and needs proof of identity to show to the Town Clerk.

4. You may return your absentee ballot in person on Election Day at the Rye Elementary School.

How can I track the progress of my application and ballot?

1. You may follow the link or go directly to https://app.sos.nh.gov/voterinformation. There you can see when your application was received, when your ballot was mailed to you, when it was returned and, after the election, if it was counted.

2. You want your vote to count! The Rye Town Clerk staff is hand-entering data in addition to the rest of their usual duties. Please start the process as soon as possible (and, if returning by mail, allow at least two weeks).

3. You can vote in person if you decide not to return your absentee ballot.

What else is new and/or interesting?

Criteria for absentee ballots and registration have reverted to pre-pandemic criteria. Adhering to guidelines will eliminate voting misunderstandings.

What if I still have questions?

Feel free to email us at info@ryedemocrats.org and we will do our best to get your questions answered!

Now go VOTE!!!