Melanie Plenda April 17, 2020 COVID-19 “Nobody will be equipped": Local. state election officials grapple with how to prepare for mail in voting in November Melanie Plenda April 17, 2020 COVID-19 What was once reserved for a narrowly defined group in New Hampshire, absentee balloting for the state primary on Sept. 8 and general election on Nov. 3 is now essentially open to every voter in the state as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.