Live updates: Sununu and Pappas win Senate primaries; Shaheen has nail-biter victory in the 1st District
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Find the latest 2026 NH primary election results here.
Quick links: Find your polling place and sample ballot | Check your voter registration status | Multilingual election info | Student Guide to Voting in NH | Voter registration rules and required documentation
Read more of NHPR's Election 2026 political coverage. What questions do you have about this year's elections? Let us know at voices@nhpr.org, and we could help you get the answers.
Complete NH election results
And that's a wrap for our 2026 state primary live updates. Thank you for following our coverage.
Reminder, here are the primary results for:
Look ahead: NHPR, in collaboration with the Granite State News Collaborative, is hosting forums with candidates running for governor, U.S. Senate, and Congress. Here's more information on the forums, including how to get involved and how to attend and listen to them.
— Dan Tuohy
Rye voters pass conflicting ballot questions over barn swallows
Voters in Rye sent a mixed message on Tuesday, passing a measure that prohibits a migratory flock of barn swallows from entering a town-owned barn, while also approving a separate measure that forbids the disturbance of bird colonies.
It’s the latest move in an ongoing saga that has resulted in heated public meetings and a lawsuit.
By a 1,248 to 1,113 vote, Rye approved a warrant article calling for the historic Goss Barn to remain a “wildlife-free municipal building in perpetuity.”
Nottingham backs moratorium on data centers
Nottingham residents voted overwhelmingly Tuesday in favor of a 12-month moratorium on any data center development within town limits. The move comes after a now-withdrawn proposal to build a facility generated significant backlash earlier this year.
The vote was 1,335 to 143.
The temporary ordinance is intended to “protect the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of Nottingham and the surrounding communities, along with the regional watershed” while “[allowing] the town adequate time to study the potential land use, environmental infrastructure and fiscal impacts associated with data centers.”
Shaheen wins nail-biter
Stefany Shaheen has won the Democratic nomination in the 1st District, in a race called by the Associated Press at 12:35 a.m. on Sept. 9.
Shaheen, the daughter of U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and former DNC committeeman Bill Shaheen, was in a closly fought race with Maura Sullivan all evening.
With 88% of votes counted, the AP called the race for Shaheen, with less than 2,000 votes separating the top two candidates.
Read the latest story by Todd Bookman: Shaheen notches narrow win in 1st District Democratic race; DiLorenzo wins GOP primary
View the latest election results.
Related: What's in a name? For a 'Shaheen' on the campaign trail in 2026, quite a lot
— Dan Tuohy
Down to the wire for Shaheen and Sullivan in the 1st District
The race for the Democratic nomination in the 1st Congressional District is still too close to call, with the Associated Press showing Stefany Shaheen with a small lead over Maura Sullivan.
With 61% of the votes counted, Shaheen was with 18,930 to Sullivan's 18,399, or 37.1% to 35.3%, according to the AP results.
Carleigh Beriont, a Hampton selectboard member, is a distant third, but her campaign has clearly made this race a real squeaker. She had 11,415 votes.
Goodlander and Williams win, setting up general election rematch
Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander, who is in her first term, easily won her Democratic primary today.
Goodlander crushed the challenge from State Rep. Paige Beauchemin, according to results tallied by the Associated Press. As anticipated, she will see a familiar face in the general election campaign.
Lily Tang Williams, a Republican on her third campaign in the 2nd Congressional District, soundly captured the GOP nomination.
In 2024, Goodlander defeated Williams 211,641 to 187,810.
Sununu, Pappas win their primaries for U.S. Senate
The Associated Press has called the race for U.S. Senate, with former Sen. John E. Sununu winning the Republican primary and Rep. Chris Pappas winning the Democratic primary.
They will face off in the Nov. 3 general election, in a contest that could impact which party controls the U.S. Senate.
Updated: Read the full story by NHPR's Josh Rogers.
Visit this NHPR post for more election results as they come in this evening.
DiLorenzo wins GOP primary in the 1st District
The AP has also called the 1st Congressional District Republican primary for Anthony DiLorenzo, who, at 8 p.m., had a 25-point advantage of Hollie Noveletsky.
Gov. Kelly Ayotte, a first-term Republican, easily won the GOP primary for governor. Former Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, was running unopposed for her party's nomination.
Updated: Shaheen notches narrow win in the 1st District Democratic race; DiLorenzo wins GOP primary
Watch the results as they are filed.
Find more primary election results for:
- State House and Senate — Republican primary races
- State House and Senate — Democratic primary races
In Nottingham, data centers are also on the ballot
In Nottingham, voters are deciding on a potential one-year moratorium on building data centers in the town.
Residents said the issue has been top-of-mind around town, uniting people with different political points of view. Like Denise and Jim Meltcalf. They both voted for the moratorium on data centers, and agree on another issue too.
"I'd like to get Kelly Ayotte out," Jim said.
"And me too," Denise said. "But we voted opposite parties. But still, that's our goal."
Denise said she wanted more done to prevent data centers from coming to town. Jim said he wanted to maintain Nottingham's traditional feel.
The town began addressing the issue after a local developer put forth a now-scrapped plan to build a data center in May. (Read the proposed temporary moratorium on data centers ordinance.)
— Kate Dario
Read the proposed moratorium as worded on the ballot.
Property taxes motivates voters in Epsom
High property taxes motivated several voters to get out to the polls in Epsom today.
Michael Epright says with his property taxes already so high, he's voting for state lawmakers who he believes will fend off any attempts to increase or add additional taxes.
"We have a unique position in the country where we don't have income or sales tax. And I would really like to keep it that way because you give people unlimited pocketbooks and they have a tendency to spend and ask more."
Epright says he is confident in his local officials and town government, but he doesn't plan to vote for any candidate, Republican or Democrat, who's running for federal office.
In races where he doesn't believe any of the candidates are capable, he writes in his own name on the ballot.
— Jackie Harris
'I feel like the very Republic is at stake'
Voters casting ballots today are also looking ahead to November.
Bill Haddad of Hampton was holding a sign for Carleigh Beriont for Congress at the polls in Hampton.
Besides policy issues, he says there are bigger issues at play in the general election.
"In the general, I feel like the very Republic is at stake," Haddad said. "We have gone so far beyond disagreements about policy, and now it’s just a matter of criminality. I would like to preserve the constitution and the rule of law, and that’s what this election is about for me.”
Hampton Town Moderator Rusty Bridle reported strong early turnout.
“We couldn’t do it without all the volunteers that we have and so it’s real important for people who are out there to do part of their civic duty,” Bridle said. “Fortunately this year we had a lot of people sign up wanting to help.”
— Dan Tuohy
Loudon voter voices ire over ICE
Loudon voters headed to the town's fire department to cast their ballot in the state's primary.
Bob Lyon says he's voting for Chris Pappas to replace Sen. Jeanne Shaheen in the U.S. Senate, now that she is retiring. He thinks Pappas has the most potential to beat the Republican candidate in November. Lyon wants whoever his senator ends up being to oppose taxpayer money going towards Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"Especially here in Loudon where they're they're talking about maybe having a cooperation with ICE. So that's, that's a big one with me."
Loudon's police chief told the Concord Monitor in August that he'd like to explore a contract with ICE, but the town has yet to sign an agreement with federal officials.
The Republic candidates on the primary ballot for the U.S. Senate are former U.S. senators John E. Sununu and Scott Brown.
— Jackie Harris
A vote against 'government dysfunction' in Concord
Election officials in Concord say they've seen a steady stream of voters for the state’s primary.
Voter Ward Cooper says he thinks the federal government is dysfunctional and he's voting to try to change that.
"I want a Congress that can get things done," he said. "People can work together on both sides of the aisle. And I want the country to function better again."
Cooper believes it’s his civic duty to vote in every election. Other voters named public education and ending American involvement in foreign wars as among their
driving concerns.
—Imaan Moin
In Derry, voters share what inspired them at the polls
Derry voters saw a slew of signs and supporters for various candidates as they headed into the polls today.
Brandon Carter said he feels like the country has been headed in a bad direction.
“We need healthcare for people especially since they’re cutting Obamacare subsidies,” Carter said. “We gotta get ICE off the streets. They’re not following the constitution, that’s not good. Weed in New Hampshire would be nice, Massachusetts has it, Vermont has it, Maine has it we don’t have it.”
Climate change is another issue Carter would like to see addressed.
Marceline Raineri, another voter in Derry, said she’s been concerned about corporate PAC money in campaigns and has become interested in grassroots candidates. Local musician Sunny Weber was also there singing for voters heading into the polls at Pinkerton Academy.
— Olivia Richardson
NH Secretary of State announces locations for post-election audits
New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan has released the names of municipalities that will be audited following Tuesday’s election, as required by a bipartisan law signed in 2024.
Keene Ward 4, Rochester Ward 5, and the towns of Effingham and Sandown will each have one VotingWorks Ballot Counting Device audited to confirm the machines performed as designed. Concord Ward 5, and the towns of Kensington, Merrimack, and Rindge will each have one Liberty Vote ImageCast Precinct 2 Ballot Counting Device audited.
A portion of the ballots from each location will be checked against a handcount to ensure the devices worked correctly. The process is intended to bolster confidence in the use of ballot counting machines, which have been the subject of unfounded claims they don’t produce accurate results.
The chosen locations were randomly selected, and the audits will be conducted on Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. and Sept. 10 at 9 a.m. at the New Hampshire State Archives in Concord. The audits are open to the public, and a full audit report will be published no later than 12 p.m. on Sept. 11, according to the Secretary of State’s office.
In Durham, ban on using school IDs to register to vote gets first test
This summer, a new law signed by Gov. Kelly Ayotte removed school-issued IDs from the approved list of identification to register to vote or obtain a ballot in New Hampshire.
In Durham, home to the University of New Hampshire, the new policy — which is being challenged in federal court — doesn’t appear to be causing any issues.
“It was really easy,” says Nyssa Barrett, a UNH student originally from Manchester who registered to vote in Durham on Tuesday. “I thought it was going to be a lot more complicated.”
Along with a driver’s license, Barrett had a utility bill to prove her residence.
This polling location, at Oyster River High School, is used to seeing a crush of college students looking to register to vote for the first time, especially during presidential election years. There are large signs explaining to would-be voters who live on campus how to fill out the registration form. And voting rights groups have been on campus spreading the word that a school-issued ID won’t be accepted.
The Durham town moderator told NHPR that everything is operating smoothly, and that turnout is steady.
Along with contested races for U.S. Senate and Congress, Democrats also have a crowded primary for state representative in Durham, with seven candidates vying for four spots.
— Todd Bookman
In Rye, little birds create big turnout
Sure, all eyes are on the winners of the major statewide and local primaries in New Hampshire today. But in Rye, the biggest ballot item may actually be birds.
After months of fighting over the fate of some barn swallows, voters are flocking to Rye Elementary School to weigh in on whether to reopen the town-owned Goss Barn to the flock, or continue to keep the windows and doors sealed so they can’t enter. (Read the backstory here.)
Town moderator Nina Parrott said that as of 1 p.m., she was forecasting a record primary turnout: “We usually get about 1,500 voters and we're almost there right now.”
Even with the swarm of people, it took most voters only about 15 minutes to make their way to the registration table.
Rye resident Debra Andrews is opposed to reopening the barn, citing the costs of cleaning the structure.
“I hope we'll give the birds the freedom to habitat in the caves and the trees and the places that God intended them to be,” she said. “I don't think they need to be in a man-made barn.
The fight largely centers on the bird’s waste, which the town conservation commission cited when it voted to close the structure.
But Tony Rodriguez wants to see the barn reopened. He says volunteers can clean up the bird waste at the end of the season: “I think we can coexist.”
— Todd Bookman
In Belknap County, a focus on property taxes
Alton Bay resident Brian Beihl was handing out voter guides outside the polls in Meredith Tuesday morning.
Beihl is a member of the nonpartisan group Citizens for Belknap. The group hosted candidate forums and put together a questionnaire on issues ranging from protecting the water quality of the region’s lakes, school funding, and the replacement of the county’s jail.
He said voters of all stripes seem to have one thing on their minds this year.
“Doesn't matter: Republican, independent, Democrats. They're all complaining about the very, very high and increasing property tax burden,” Beihl said.
As he stood flanked by candidates from both parties, Beihl said he’s concerned about election interference from the Trump administration. He has full confidence, he said, in New Hampshire’s state and local election officials. He called them “heroes.”
— Annmarie Timmins
Voters share concerns about cost of living, health care, and ICE
Election officials in Goffstown said they have been pleased with the voter turnout, and as a college town, they had no issues with students meeting the new ID requirements so far.
Voter Marcel Pouliot said he’s focused on national politics more than state. He's voting for Chris Pappas because he's concerned about about Republican leadership and President Trump.
"You have the war, the fight with Canadians is ridiculous," he said. "It makes no common sense. Sometimes those people come out with millions, he’s going to come out with billions. Secret deals. It’s terrible."
Other voters in Goffstown said concerns about health care, the cost of living and the presence of ICE in the state were on their mind this Election Day.
— Olivia Richardson
In Bedford, moderator reports no issues with IDs
Bedford Town Moderator Henry Veilleux said there have been no issues in his town this morning with student voters now that New Hampshire no longer accepts student IDs at the polls.
"We haven’t yet had to turn anyone away but that is something we’re going to have to deal with," he tells NHPR.
New Hampshire now requires students to verify their identities using government IDs like a drivers license or U.S. passport.
Veilleux says turnout in Bedford has been solid through the morning and they’re expecting about 4,500 people to vote today.
Related coverage: Lawsuit challenges repeal of student IDs for voting in NH
— Olivia Richardson
Documents you need
- Identity/age: A driver’s license, government-issued photo ID, or passport/passport card.
- Domicile: NH driver’s license, NH non-driver ID, NH resident vehicle registration, federal picture ID, government-issued check or benefit statement, or a tax document with the current address listed; rental agreement or utility bill with the current domicile address.
- Citizenship: U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport/passport card, naturalization papers, or other proof issued by the Department of State. Voters without this documentation may complete an affidavit attesting, subject to penalties for voter fraud, that they are a citizen.
Visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information about required documentation to prove your voter eligibility.
US Department of Justice sending election monitors to NH
The U.S. Department of Justice is sending four election monitors to polling places in Manchester and Nashua today, part of what the agency calls its efforts to “ensure transparency, ballot security and compliance with federal law.”
While it’s routine for the federal government to send observers to local voting precincts, the selection of New Hampshire by the Trump administration comes at a moment of tension: The New Hampshire Secretary of State’s office rejected a demand by the federal government to turn over non-public voter rolls last year, leading to a lawsuit that was recently decided in the state’s favor. It also comes as President Trump continues to make unfounded claims about widespread election tampering.
Read more about what we know about the DOJ’s plans for New Hampshire here.
Candidate Conversations
Follow the latest from NHPR's political coverage on the state primary election.
Find comprehensive midterm election coverage here.
State legislative seats on the ballot
Candidates for the state House of Representatives and state Senate are also on the ballot for the state primary election.
Republicans currently enjoy the majority in both chambers.
Like the governor's office and Executive Council, among other races, these state legislative seats are on the ballot every two years.
Scenes from Bedford and Meredith
Not sure what's on the ballot today? Click here to view sample ballots and check your voter registration.
And it's "fish or cut bait" time for those undecided voters, but we've a timely resource: A procrastinator’s guide to the NH state primary.
Election Day Hotlines
The New Hampshire Attorney General’s office hotline is 1-866-868-3703 (866-VOTER03), and email at electionlaw@doj.nh.gov. The Secretary of State’s office mainline is at 603-271-3242, or elections@sos.nh.gov
How to file an election law complaint
According to the Secretary of State’s office, if you have witnessed efforts to commit any kind of alleged fraud or corruption in the voting process, you may report it to the moderator at your polling place, and to the state Attorney General’s hotline and email above, as well as the Secretary of State’s office.
For alleged federal offenses, you may also notify the U.S. Attorney in New Hampshire at 603-225-1552. If you have witnessed alleged acts or attempted acts of discrimination or intimidation in the voting process, you may report it to the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice at (202) 514-4609.
Voters in Gilford and Laconia up early
In Gilford
In Laconia
Democrat Hazel Zimmer, 84, of Laconia, was at the polls in Laconia’s Ward 3 by 7 a.m.
Among her top issues is abolishing ICE. She said her granddaughter, who was adopted from Cambodia, was stopped by the police while visiting family in New Hampshire. The police were considerate but Zimmer worries that others could have a different experience based on the color of their skin.
— Annmarie Timmins
Primary Primers
Just tuning in after summer vacation or the long weekend? Catch up quick with these primary primers on the top races:
There are always a good number of voters who are undecided right up to the time they head to the polls. If this is you, you're not alone. Here's a helpful guide: A procrastinator’s guide to the NH state primary
These primers were first published as part of NHPR’s Rundown newsletter. Click here to get this email in your inbox.
Voter turnout predictions
The forecast calls for a mostly sunny day with temps in the 70s. Perfect weather to go to your local polling place, right?
Whether weather’s a factor is one thing. A primary election coming right after a Labor Day holiday is another. Secretary of State David Scanlan told reporters last week he wasn’t sure how that holiday would affect turnout, but he expects good turnout today.
His turnout predictions:
- Republicans: 145,751
- Democrats: 103,024
He based his numbers on 888,475 total registered voters in the state, as of Aug. 10. Of that total, undeclared voters numbered 347,160, Republicans 297,451, and Democrats 243,764.
“It’s going to be a strong, normal turnout,” Scanlan said. “I am not anticipating that we’re going to, you know, break any records this time.”
What’s at stake? Who are you voting for?
These are party primaries today. So, there is a Democratic primary ballot and a Republican primary ballot. At this time, these two parties are the only official political parties recognized in New Hampshire.
Undeclared voters, sometimes called independent voters, will be required to choose either a Democratic or Republican ballot when they vote.
Who’s on the ballot? Candidates for governor, U.S. Senate, Congress, Executive Council, state Senate, state House, and county offices such as sheriff and county attorney. Republican primary ballots will also have delegates to the state party convention.
The nominees of the parties will face each other in the general election Nov. 3.
Check out sample ballots.
Here’s where and how to vote in NH
The state primary election is underway in New Hampshire.
You can find your polling place and polling hours here and you can also look up your voter registration status. The polls in Manchester and Nashua, our two largest cities, opened at 6 a.m.
New Hampshire does allow same-day registration, so voters can register at the polls on Election Day. See related story: Get ready to vote in NH: How to register, what documents to bring and more
Don’t forget to bring documents to prove your:
- identity,
- age (at least 18 years old),
- citizenship,
- domicile – your primary residential address.
A driver’s license, government-issued photo ID, or passport are acceptable proof of identity and age. See these Secretary of State links for more information on Election Day voting and required documentation.
Watch this video from NHPR's Gia Orsino for a step-by-step process for voting today.
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