Title: NH Steps to File Warrant Article

Original CoS Document (slug): nh-steps-to-file-warrant-article

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Attached File: Steps_to_File_Warrant_Article.pdf

Created: 2021-11-01 14:30:24

Updated: 2022-11-01 23:00:00

Published: 2021-11-01 03:00:00

Converted: 2025-03-29T15:59:07.655249530

211029 
 

Steps to File a Warrant Article 

Research Information you need to gather from the Supervisor of the Checklist in your town  

• Number of inhabitants in your town, ask if other towns share voting responsibilities  

• Number of registered voters  

• Date of the annual town election in 2021 and/or 2022 Identify the goal  

• Do the math - Identify the number of registered voter signed petitions you need  

• Add an additional 10% to that number as “pad” in case some are rejected  

Identify which type of election is best for your town  

• Annual Town election - multiple items, town and school budgets, Selectmen, etc.  

• Application for a Special Election - if approved, as few as one single item  

Choose which type of election: annual or special  

Looking at the numbers, towns under 10,000 may want to have BOTH petitions signed to identify the 
sense of urgency of the registered voters  

Suggestion  

It’s not a good idea to have twenty people in a town over a couple of days asking the Supervisor of the 
Checklist how many registered voters there are in that town. It may be better to identify perhaps three 
or four individuals to request this information over a few days to see if the numbers magically differ.  

Examples 

Hampton - recent population reported to be 9,166. It is not known if these are considered “inhabitants”. 
This is less than the 10,000 threshold.  

Annual Hampton Town election: You will need at least 25 registered voter signed petitions Application 
for a Special Election: You will need at least 50 registered voter signed petitions  

Derry - recent population reported to be 21,817. It is not known if these are considered “inhabitants”. 
This is more than the 10,000 threshold.  

Annual Derry Town election: You will need at least 25 registered voter signed petitions Application for a 
Special Election: You will need at least 1091 registered voter signed petitions (this reflects the 5% 
minimum requirement, but not the suggested additional 10% “pad” which would amount to 1200 
“suggested” to ensure meeting the requirement)  

Towns with fewer than 1250 - Example  

If your town has only 150 inhabitants you need at least THREE registered voter signed petitions to add 
the wording to the annual town election. (2% rule) Same town… 150 inhabitants: you need at least 38 
registered voter signed petitions to apply for a Special Election (25% rule)