The 2026 Second Chance Index
How New Hampshire ranks for second chances
New Hampshire ranks 21st of 51 in the 2026 Second Chance Index, scoring 69 out of 100 for clearing a record, voting rights and where its felony line falls. That's 7.5 points above the median state (61.5).
Built from New Hampshire's record-clearing, voting and felony-class records, last checked October 29, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
69 out of 100
- Clearing a record
- 35 / 50
- Voting rights
- 22 / 30
- Where the felony line falls
- 12 / 20
Every point New Hampshire earned and missed
Each line is a field we publish about New Hampshire, checked against state law and official guidance. The points are the index's; the method lists every one.
Clearing a record
35 of 50 points| What we score | New Hampshire | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Some records clear automatically | You have to apply | 0/15 |
| A general route to clear a felony | Yes | 12/12 |
| A general route to clear a misdemeanor | Yes | 8/8 |
| A way to clear a case with no conviction | Yes | 8/8 |
| A fee waiver on at least one route | Yes | 4/4 |
| A DUI conviction can be cleared | Yes | 3/3 |
Voting rights
22 of 30 points| What we score | New Hampshire | Points |
|---|---|---|
| When the vote comes back after a felony | After prison | 22/30 |
Where the felony line falls
12 of 20 points| What we score | New Hampshire | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Theft becomes a felony at | More than $1,000 | 5/10 |
| Repeat DUI becomes a felony | From the 4th offense | 7/10 |
Where the 31 missing points are
- 15Some records clear automatically: You have to apply
- 8When the vote comes back after a felony: After prison
- 5Theft becomes a felony at: More than $1,000
- 3Repeat DUI becomes a felony: From the 4th offense
The index scores what state law says, not how courts apply it. A lower score doesn't mean New Hampshire offers no relief; its pages list every route.
States ranked near New Hampshire
- #19Massachusetts71.5
- #20Oregon70
- #21New Hampshire69
- #22North Carolina68
- #23Montana67.5
Cite this page
Second Chance Index, "How New Hampshire ranks for second chances" https://secondchanceindex.com/state-rankings/new-hampshire, checked October 29, 2026.