New Poll: NH voters trust elections, voting machines; support greater voter access

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONCORD, N.H. – New Hampshire voters have consensus on election process and administration issues, according to a new statewide poll conducted by the Saint Anselm College Survey Center on behalf of Secure Democracy Foundation. The poll found Granite State voters have trust in voting machines, and want more opportunities to vote before Election Day, improvements to absentee voting, and a range of advances in election administration.

Key findings from the poll of New Hampshire voters include:

• 72% of New Hampshire voters support using secure tabulation equipment to achieve accurate election results more quickly than a hand count.
• 60% of New Hampshire voters believe that mandating hand counts could open the door for human error or corruption.
• 61% of New Hampshire voters believe the state should offer in-person early voting.
• 73% of New Hampshire voters believe election officials should be able to contact voters and provide them the opportunity to correct minor mistakes, such as a missing signature, on their ballot.
• 61% of New Hampshire voters support allowing local election officials to open, verify, and process absentee ballots before Election Day.

“Despite heightened polarization on some issues of the day, New Hampshire voters across the political spectrum agree on key issues that impact election administration in New Hampshire.” said Daniel Griffith, senior director of policy for Secure Democracy Foundation. “This poll shows New Hampshire voters want more out of their elections – more opportunities, more security, and more support for their local election officials.”

The poll was commissioned by Secure Democracy Foundation and conducted by The Saint Anselm College Survey Center. The online poll reached 2,304 New Hampshire likely voters from November 8-9, 2023, with a margin of error of +/- 2.0%. A memo outlining the findings can be found here.