Manchester voters choose between Pappas and Sununu in tight Senate race

Voters in Manchester, Nashua, and Concord are heading to the polls on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to decide the state's U.S. Senate seat and other key offices. Polls in New Hampshire vary by municipality, with all locations required to open by 11 a.m. And close no earlier than 7 p.m. Local time. Residents can find their specific polling place through vote.gov, and anyone in line when polls close is entitled to cast a ballot.

The state is deciding the fate of an open U.S. Senate seat following the retirement of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Ballotpedia confirms that both Democratic and Republican parties have candidates on the ballot for this position. Additionally, New Hampshire voters are selecting a governor, with incumbent Republican Kelly Ayotte running for re-election against Democratic and Libertarian challengers. All U.S. House seats in the state are also on the ballot, alongside various state and local offices and measures.

The national picture is defined by a high-stakes midterm election, halfway through President Donald Trump's second term. The results will determine who controls Congress for the president's final two years. Democrats need a net gain of four Senate seats to claim a majority, while Republicans can afford to lose only two seats to maintain their current advantage. The Senate race is particularly competitive, with 33 regular elections and two special elections for the remainder of terms held by Marco Rubio in Florida and JD Vance in Ohio.

In New Hampshire, the Senate contest features Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas against former Republican Sen. John E. Sununu. Ballotpedia notes that the state voted for Kamala Harris by a margin of 2.8 points in the 2024 presidential election, making the race a close contest. This matchup is one of ten named Senate battles that the Associated Press and PBS are highlighting as pivotal for the balance of power in the upper chamber.

Other key Senate races include North Carolina, where Democratic former Gov. Roy Cooper faces former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley in the seat vacated by retiring Sen. Thom Tillis. In Georgia, Sen. Jon Ossoff is defending his seat against Republican Rep. Mike Collins. In Ohio, Democratic former Sen. Sherrod Brown is challenging Republican Sen. Jon Husted in a special election. These races are critical because the outcome will influence the legislative agenda and potential oversight investigations in the coming years.

Michigan presents another tight contest, with Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers facing Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. Ballotpedia lists this as an open seat following the retirement of Gary Peters. In Texas, Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who received President Trump's backing over Sen. John Cornyn in the primary, is running against Democrat James Talarico. The Associated Press notes that economic strain and tariffs have made states like Maine competitive, where Sen. Susan Collins faces Democratic former state Senate President Troy Jackson.

In Minnesota, Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Republican Michele Tafoya are among four candidates vying for the seat of retiring Sen. Tina Smith. Kansas, a reliably Republican state, has become central to the fight for Senate control, with Roger Marshall seeking re-election. In Alaska, the Trump administration filed a lawsuit related to the certification of the Senate result, adding a layer of legal complexity to the already competitive race involving Dan Sullivan.

The Associated Press describes the election as a referendum on Trump's second term, with voters expressing frustration over high prices and an unpopular war with Iran. AP-NORC polling indicates that 35% of U.S. Adults approve of Trump's job performance, while about 7 in 10 say the country is heading in the wrong direction. More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing early voting totals from four years ago in many closely watched states.

Republicans are bracing for the possibility of losing the House and are fighting to hold the Senate, while Democrats are described as cautiously optimistic. President Trump held dozens of rallies, ending Sunday in Salina, Kansas, where he urged voters to support his party. The administration has also pursued legal actions, including a temporary bar on a plan to prevent noncitizen voting, which critics say risks disenfranchising eligible voters. The U.S. Postal Service has added hours and staff to ensure mail ballots are counted on time.

As polls open across the country, the focus remains on turnout and the final tally of votes in these ten decisive states. The outcome will shape the political landscape for the next two years, influencing everything from budget negotiations to potential impeachment proceedings. Voters in Manchester and across New Hampshire are casting their ballots to determine their representation in the U.S. Senate and to weigh in on the national direction of the country.

If Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings become likely. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has outlined a 100-day agenda focused on the cost of living and oversight. The election is expected to be the most expensive in history, with Republican committees outspending Democratic groups, though Democrats outraised their opponents at the candidate level. The results will be closely monitored by Wall Street, as outcomes could impact investor concerns about AI spending and debt ceiling negotiations.