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Election 2024: Here’s how votes are counted in New Hampshire

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Election 2024: Here’s how votes are counted in New Hampshire


CONCORD — On Tuesday, Nov. 5, votes cast in the presidential election in New Hampshire will be counted by voting machines, election officials and volunteers.

Read on to learn more about how votes are counted in New Hampshire, with information from the secretary of state.

How are votes counted in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, communities can choose to use machine counting of ballots or count by hand. Most use machine counting because it’s faster and more accurate. One hundred ten towns/cities and 67 wards, including most Seacoast communities like Exeter, Hampton, and Portsmouth, use AccuVote ballot counting devices. Fifteen towns/cities and six wards use VotingWorks ballot counting devices. On the Seacoast, Rochester uses both types of machines. Ballot counting devices count all properly marked races (meaning the oval is filled in) except for write-in votes.

However, 122 towns in New Hampshire, including the Seacoast towns of New Castle and South Hampton, haven’t switched to machines and still hand count their ballots.

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Not all votes can be counted by machines: Write-in votes and ballots where the voter has marked their choice in a different way than filling in the oval, such as circling their chosen candidate’s name, require hand counting. In these situations, the town’s election moderator, who is chosen every two years by vote, makes the decision for how these ballots will be hand counted.

Seacoast NH election 2024 voter guide: Read about candidates, poll times, how to register

No matter how the ballots are counted, however, all votes are cast on paper ballots. None of the machines can connect to the internet.

How are votes hand counted in New Hampshire?

The most common, most accurate, and easiest method of hand counting is the “sort-and-stack” method. In this method, ballots are sorted into piles: one for each candidate, ballots with more than one choice marked, ballots with skipped choices, write-ins, and judgment calls. Then, counters and observers look through each pile, making sure they are only looking at one candidate or question on the ballot at the time. Each ballot is then checked three times and when the counters have agreed on the number of votes for each candidate, they enter it on the tally sheet.

Another hand counting methods is the “read-and-mark” method, in which counting teams count all races and questions in one pile of 50 ballots at a time, marking a tally sheet as they go.

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More details on these hand counting methods can be found in the Counting and Recounts section in the 2022-23 New Hampshire Election Procedure Manual. 

How are absentee ballots processed and counted?

Election officials can start processing absentee ballots at 1:00 pm on election day, or a different time no earlier than two hours after the polls open if properly posted 24 hours in advance. 

Election officials process absentee ballots at the polls. To do so, they take ballots and affidavits out of their envelopes and check the name against the voter checklist to make sure they are registered and had not already voted in person. The ballots are then removed from the envelop and cast into the ballot counting device or ballot box. They are counted along with the rest of the ballots after the polls close.

What happens in a recount?

There are no automatic recounts required in New Hampshire, and election officers are directed to try to avoid errors that would call for a recount. However, a candidate can request a recount if the difference between the votes cast for the requesting candidate and the candidate declared elected is less than 20% of the total votes cast.

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If a recount request is approved, the ballots from election night will be counted by the secretary of state’s team, one Democratic volunteer counter, and one Republican volunteer counter. They will recount by hand and each ballot will be looked at under a camera, by ballot challengers, and by observers.

State officials say the recount process is intended to be open and transparent. Anyone who is interested in seeing the process is allowed to attend the recount.

When will all the votes be counted?

The results tallying process takes place in the polls immediately after they close. A continuous process, the moderator will publicly announce the results after they have been tallied and reconciled. Any member of the public can observe this process.

Secretary of State David Scanlan expects polling places to announce results the night of the election or into the early hours of the following morning.

However, it’s possible the national result of the presidential election will not be announced on election night. Polls show the election between Harris and Trump to be very tight, and, in some states, counting the votes and certifying the results can take days, or even weeks.

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NH House Democrats Demand ICE Accountability After Second Shooting Death in Minneapolis

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NH House Democrats Demand ICE Accountability After Second Shooting Death in Minneapolis


Alex Pretti, VA Image (official portrait by United States Department of Veterans Affairs)

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE – House Democratic Leader Alexis Simpson, D-Exeter, called the shooting death Saturday of Alex Pretti by an ICE agent in Minneapolis a “tragic murder” as pressure mounts against the federal actions in Minneapolis.

“The brutal murder of Alex Pretti by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, just days after the brutal murder of Renee Good, is the latest example of an unaccountable federal agency using rapidly escalating and unjustified force to terrorize our communities. No one should fear being shot in the street by masked officers – anytime, anywhere,” Simpson said in a statement Monday.

Also on Monday evening, an estimated 90 people marched in a “Candlelight Procession for Alex Jeffrey Pretti and all ICE victims,” in Conway organized by the Mount Washington Valley Resistance.

Simpson said “bills now making their way through the state legislature require clear identification of state and local law enforcement officers participating in immigration enforcement activities and prohibit state resources from being used to construct ICE facilities or enable ICE’s abuses.

“These bills are simple – they demand transparency, accountability, and respect for our neighbors and communities. Granite Staters do not want masked federal agents roaming our streets. They want to feel safe in their neighborhoods, to know their tax dollars are being used appropriately, and to live under laws that reflect our ‘live free or die’ values,” she said.

“It is past time for Governor Ayotte and Republicans in Concord to put New Hampshire first, stop sitting on the sidelines, and stand with Granite Staters demanding accountability,” Simpson said.

The following bills in New Hampshire deal with immigration enforcement.

HB 1142, relative to requirements for law enforcement officers assisting in immigration enforcement. HEARING: Wednesday 1/28 at 3:30 pm in House Criminal Justice.

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HB 1364, requiring quarterly reports from counties, municipalities, or any other political subdivisions of the state that enter into certain agreements with the federal government concerning assistance with federal immigration enforcement. HEARING:  Friday, 1/30 at 11:30am in House Criminal Justice.

HB 1570, relative to governmental budget authority for agreements for law enforcement agencies to participate in federal immigration enforcement. Pending a vote on floor of House.

HB 1822, relative to reporting of civil immigration detentions by state, county, and local law enforcement and correctional facilities. Pending a vote on floor of House.

HB 1609, limiting the use of state, county, and municipal funds and property for construction and operation of certain immigrant detention facilities. Pending a vote on floor of House.

The Guardian newspaper reported Monday: “President says his administration is reviewing fatal shooting as Republicans and Democrats criticize ICE surge.”

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And Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz posted on Facebook Monday that he “had a productive call with President Trump earlier today. I told him we need impartial investigations of the Minneapolis shootings involving federal agents, and that we need to reduce the number of federal agents in Minnesota.

“The President agreed to look into reducing the number of federal agents in Minnesota and to talk to DHS about ensuring the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is able to conduct an independent investigation, as would ordinarily be the case,” Walz said.



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Mass. man flown to hospital after snowmobile crash in N.H.

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Mass. man flown to hospital after snowmobile crash in N.H.


A Massachusetts man was flown to a hospital by medical helicopter on Saturday after crashing his snowmobile in Northern New Hampshire, according to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.

The crash happened around 1 p.m. when 38-year-old Hanson resident Brandon Roe was riding on a trail in Pittsburg, the Fish and Game Department said in a Monday press release. He was going downhill and trying to make a left turn when he lost control of his snowmobile.

Roe was thrown from the vehicle over a steep embankment and was seriously injured, the Fish and Game Department said. His riding companions and a group of bystanders immediately provided medical aid.

Due to poor cell service in the area, first responders were notified of the crash using a satellite personal locator beacon, the Fish and Game Department said. One of the people Roe was riding with also rode to a nearby business and called 911, providing first responders with more detailed information about the crash.

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The information suggested that Roe’s injuries were severe, so authorities requested that a medical helicopter respond to the scene along with firefighters, paramedics, police and a conservation officer, the Fish and Game Department said. Firefighters rode to the remote location where Roe had crashed on snowmobiles, then transported him to an awaiting ambulance.

The ambulance drove Roe to Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook, but he was ultimately flown by medical helicopter to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center for further treatment, the Fish and Game Department said.

“This crash is still under investigation, however inexperience and unreasonable speed for the existing conditions appear to be factors in the crash. Conservation Officers would like to use this incident to remind snowmobile operators to always operate in a reasonable and prudent manner for existing trail conditions and with regard for actual and potential hazards,” the Fish and Game Department wrote in the release.



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Women From NH And Montana Charged With Trespass After Incident At Former Regal Cinemas Site: Concord Cop Log

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Women From NH And Montana Charged With Trespass After Incident At Former Regal Cinemas Site: Concord Cop Log


CONCORD, NH — Hannah M. Towers, born in 2000, was arrested at 3:49 p.m. on Jan. 10, 2026, on theft by unauthorized taking-$1,501-plus and willful concealment-$1,501-plus charges, both felonies, following an incident or investigation at Walmart at 344 Loudon Road.

Riccardo Carroll Dreux, born in 1985, of Concord, received a summons at 7:42 p.m. on Jan. 7 on criminal trespass and two criminal mischief charges following an incident or investigation on Alton Woods Drive.

Asia Renee Creech, born in 1992, of Candia, received a summons at 5:28 p.m. on Jan. 6 on a bench warrant following an incident or investigation at Concord Hospital at 250 Pleasant St.

John H. Camden, born in 1983, of Concord, was arrested at 5:08 a.m. on Jan. 6 on criminal trespass and theft by unauthorized taking-less than $1,000 charges following an incident or investigation at the Speedway at 175 N. Main St. Thirty-three minutes later he was charged with possession of a controlled drug following an incident or investigation at the Citizens Bank at Capital Plaza.

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Colin P. White, born in 1990, of Concord, was arrested at 1:15 p.m. on Jan. 5 on theft by unauthorized taking-less than $1,000, willful concealment, and breach of bail charges. He was arrested following an incident or investigation at the Hannaford supermarket at 73 Fort Eddy Road. He was arrested again 3:27 p.m. on Jan. 6 on theft by unauthorized taking-less than $1,000, willful concealment, and three breach of bail charges after an incident at Market Basket at 108 Fort Eddy Road.

Kenneth Francis More, born in 1971, of Manchester, was arrested at 12:35 p.m. on Jan. 5 on a criminal mischief charge following an incident or investigation on North State Street.

Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Concord Police Department and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains how to request the removal of a name from New Hampshire Patch police reports.

Alicia M. Mullavey-Rix, born in 1985, of Concord, received a summons at 2 p.m. on Dec. 30 on a bench warrant following an incident or investigation on Green Street.

David Alfred Leak, born in 1960, of Andover, was arrested at 11:08 a.m. on Dec. 30 on criminal threatening and two simple assault charges. He was also cited for a generic city ordinance violation following an incident or investigation at the Equality Health Center at 38 S. Main St.

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Michael D. Gosselin, born in 1951, of Concord, was arrested at 8:55 a.m. on Dec. 30, on a criminal trespass charge. He was arrested following an incident or investigation on Longmeadow Drive.

Tommi Lou Cordell, born in 2000, of Andover, received a summons at 9 p.m. on Dec. 27 on a criminal trespass charge. Also charged with criminal trespass was Kayti Leean Cordell, born in 2005, of Stevensville, Montana. They were charged following an incident or investigation at the former Regal Cinemas at 282 Loudon Road.

Do you have a news tip? Email it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella’s YouTube or Rumble channels. Patch in New Hampshire is now in 217 communities — and expanding every day. Also, follow Patch on Google Discover.



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