The Hudson Board of Selectmen received a wide ranging update on voter registration, vital records, and licensing activity during its most recent meeting, as Town Clerk Emilie Leclerc outlined how her office is preparing for the busy fall election season and managing several core municipal services that affect thousands of residents each year.
Leclerc began with voter registration figures, noting that Hudson saw roughly 15 percent turnout during the March 2026 local election. At that time, the town had 18,397 registered voters. That number dropped to 15,016 ahead of the September 8 state primary due to the Supervisors of the Checklist completing their annual verification process, which removes voters who have not participated in an election for at least five years.
“A lot of them could have moved away. Some of them have passed away. Some just simply haven’t reregistered to vote,” Leclerc said. She reminded residents that reregistration for the September primary had closed at Town Hall, and anyone needing to register would have to do so at their polling location on Election Day.
Leclerc said she hopes to see registration numbers rebound ahead of the November general election and the March 2027 town election. “Hopefully we can get that number back up higher for November and definitely for our town election in March,” she said.
Beyond elections, Leclerc reviewed the Town Clerk’s responsibilities for vital records, which include issuing birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, marriage certificates, and divorce records. She emphasized that these records can only be issued if the event occurred in New Hampshire. “If you were born in Nashua but you live in Hudson, you can come to Hudson to get your birth certificate,” she said.
Vital record fees are set by the state: $15 for the first certified copy and $10 for each additional copy. Marriage licenses cost $50 at the time of application. Only individuals with a direct connection to the record may request copies, including the person named on the record, a spouse, parent, sibling, or legal representative. All must present valid photo identification and demonstrate “tangible interest.”
Leclerc also highlighted the importance of dog licensing, which she described as one of the department’s most consistent revenue sources. Notices are mailed in January or February, and residents have until April 30 to license their dogs under state law. The Town Clerk’s Office provides a grace period before late fees begin, with a $1 monthly fine starting June 1.
Dog license fees vary:
- Senior citizens age 65 and older pay $2 for their first dog.
- Spayed, neutered, or puppies up to seven months cost $6.50.
- Unaltered dogs cost $9.
- Owners with five or more dogs may license them at a group rate of $20.
Leclerc said dog licensing remains one of the most active parts of her office’s work, with hundreds of residents renewing each year.