2026 Midterms State GuideNew Hampshire
Hold on to your maple candies and lobster rolls.
- PrimaryStatewideSept. 8This date has passed.
- Election DayGeneralNov. 3
Updated
Hi! It’s me, Shadrach. Apparently, I’m your civic guide today. If you’ve been complaining about how things are going (and I’ve heard you, the walls are thin), this guide will help you feel informed and able to vote in this year’s midterms. Now, hold on to your maple candies and lobster rolls, and let’s get into it.
New Hampshire at a glance
New Hampshire votes on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, for governor, U.S. Senate, both U.S. House seats and one statewide ballot measure.
- Election Day
- Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026
- Voter registration
- Oct. 21 to 28: In-person voter registration deadline (varies by town)
- Governor
- 3 candidates
- U.S. Senate
- 3 candidates
- U.S. House
- 2 seats
- Statewide ballot measures
- 1
Your to-do list
0 of 3 doneImportant dates
- Sept. 8Primaries This date has passed.
- Oct. 21 to 28In-person voter registration deadline (varies by town)
- Nov. 2Absentee ballot request deadline (noon by mail, 5 p.m. in person); last day to return a completed absentee ballot in person (5 p.m.).
- Nov. 3Election Day; in-person registration available. Mailed absentee ballots must reach town clerk by 5 p.m.
What’s at stake
Things are shaking up in New Hampshire’s Senate race. It was considered as leaning Democratic, but now it’s thought to be a toss up. Several pollsters show Chris Pappas (D) and John Sununu (R) neck-and-neck for points. New Hampshire has had a Democrat in that seat since 2009, and given that Dems need every seat they can get to flip the Senate, this race is becoming a nail biter for the blue party. 26% of voters rank housing as the number one issue facing the state, followed by taxes (18%), cost of living (15%), education (6%), and jobs and the economy (6%). Voters are nearly split on their governor thoughts: 49% approve of incumbent Kelly Ayotte’s handling of her job while 42% disapprove. Those who approve primarily thumbs-up her handling of taxes (14%), and those who disapprove thumbs-down her handling of education (21%).
Who’s on your ballot
Tap a race to see the candidates.
New Hampshire is choosing a governor
See whose priorities line up with yours
Here are the top priorities each candidate lists, in their own words. Pick the 3 that matter most to you. Names stay hidden until you see your results.
0 of 3 picked
Kelly AyotteRepublicanincumbent
Top accomplishments- Keeping New Hampshire the safest state in the country by passing a bipartisan law to fix the broken bail system, banning sanctuary cities, and ensuring local police cooperation with federal authorities on immigration enforcement.
- Keeping the New Hampshire advantage by focusing on fiscal responsibility, making the government more efficient, and supporting important programs without any new taxes.
- Supporting schools by delivering historic funding per-student, putting more money into special education, signing laws to expand education opportunities for families, and signing the Parental Bill of Rights.
- Top priorities
Cinde WarmingtonDemocrat- Focusing on big tech and energy reform by placing a temporary moratorium on large-scale data center permits while a real regulatory framework is built.
- Temporarily suspending the state gas tax, giving New Hampshire drivers immediate relief.
- Standing up to policies, cost, and corruption by directing state agencies to assess the impact of tariffs and issue refunds, quote “hold President Trump accountable,” and repair relations with Canada.
- Top priorities
Stephen VilleeLibertarian- Push to adopt approval voting in Granite State elections.
- Fully legalizing cannabis for adults.
- Work to pass Defend the Guard legislation, which would require that Congress officially declare war before the New Hampshire national guard could be activated.
- Get to know ’em
Chris PappasDemocrat - Get to know ’em
John SununuRepublican - Get to know ’em
Edmond LaplanteConstitution Party
All U.S. House of Representatives seats are up for election every two years. Find your district here.
- Shadrach’s big picture
New Hampshire will elect two candidates to represent The Granite State in the U.S. House. Democrats are expected to hold both of those seats, but New Hampshire is a purple state. Republicans hold the trifecta (governor and both legislative chambers) as well as the Attorney General and Secretary of State, but the state leans blue at the federal level.
- Open seats
One: Rep. Chris Pappas (D-1) is running for U.S. Senate.
- Competitive districts
Neither New Hampshire district is considered competitive. NH-1 is ranked likely Democratic and NH-2 is solidly Democratic. Candidates in both parties filed to run in both districts so neither is guaranteed to either party; the last time a Republican flipped a U.S. House seat was in 2014.
Statewide ballot measures
1 to read before you go. Tap one to open it.
This amendment would abolish the Office of Register of Probate and remove references to the Register of Probate in the state constitution. This is an elected office in some states, and historically handles wills, the administration of estates, trusts, guardianships, adoptions, and name changes.
Voting yessupports abolishing the Office of Register of Probate and removing references to it in the constitutionVoting noopposes this constitutional amendment, keeping the office in the constitution as a largely ceremonial position
Also on the ballot
Other races New Hampshire voters will decide.
- State Executive Council (5 seats)
- State Senate
- State House
- Special state legislative
- Municipal government
Whose job is it?
Ten things government does. Tap the office that does each one.
Whose job is it to…
1 of 10
Declare a state of emergency after a hurricane or flood?
Pass it on
Know someone voting in New Hampshire?
Send them the guide. It takes one tap, and it saves them an evening of arguing in a group chat.
A prayer for New Hampshire
Rock of Ages, the Granite State is in Your hands. Sharpen New Hampshirites’ attention, help them see the ballot with Your eyes, and help them vote with both conviction and humility.
May candidates campaign with integrity. Remind them that the office is not a mere prize to be won, but a profound responsibility to steward carefully. If they win, surround them with wise counsel and guide them toward decisions that serve their constituents. For those who lose, bring comfort and give them grace for their actions.
Draw near to all Granite Staters tempted toward anxiety, anger, or despair. Grant by Your Spirit an unshakeable peace that politics can never supply.
Amen.