New Hampshire voters head to polls for Senate, governor and House
Polls in Manchester, Nashua and Concord open by 11 a.m. And close no earlier than 7 p.m. As state and national races go to the people.
By Austin Reed ·
Voters in New Hampshire are heading to the polls today to decide the state's next U.S. Senator, Governor, and representatives in the U.S. House. Polling places across the state must open by 11 a.m. And cannot close before 7 p.m. Local time. The specific hours can vary by municipality, so residents of Manchester, Nashua, and Concord should verify their local polling place hours at vote.gov or through their state election office. Anyone who is in line when the polls close is entitled to cast a ballot.
The state's most prominent race is for the open U.S. Senate seat. Democratic Representative Chris Pappas is challenging former Republican Senator John E. Sununu for the position left vacant by the retirement of Jeanne Shaheen. The Associated Press notes that the state voted for Vice President Kamala Harris by a margin of 2.8 points in the 2024 presidential election. This makes the race a key battleground in the national fight for control of the Senate, where Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take the majority.
New Hampshire voters will also choose a governor. Incumbent Republican Governor Kelly Ayotte is running for re-election. The Associated Press identifies this as a competitive race, with Republicans defending one of two governorships in states that voted for Harris in 2024. The parties on the ballot for the governorship include the Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian parties. The outcome of this race is part of a nationwide contest for 36 governorships, where Democrats hope to hold a majority of offices for the first time in two decades.
Every U.S. House seat in New Hampshire is on the ballot today. In Manchester's 1st Congressional District, voters are selecting their representative for a new term. All 435 House seats are up for election nationwide. In the current Congress, Republicans hold 218 seats and Democrats hold 214. Democrats need a net gain of three districts to secure a majority in the chamber, while Republicans can afford to lose no more than two seats. 60 House incumbents did not run again, creating numerous open seats that may be more competitive than traditional districts.
Beyond federal and statewide offices, voters in Manchester, Nashua, and Concord are also deciding on state and local measures. Ballotpedia lists a statewide constitutional amendment on the ballot regarding the elimination of the office of the Register of Probate. Local ballot measures also vary by county and municipality. These local decisions form a significant part of the election, affecting daily governance and administrative structures within the state.
The national mood for this midterm election is described by the Associated Press as a referendum on President Donald Trump's second term. Polling from AP-NORC indicates that 35 percent of U.S. Adults approve of the president's job performance, while about seven in 10 say the country is heading in the wrong direction. High prices and an unpopular war with Iran are cited as key factors influencing voter sentiment. More than 57 million people had already voted by Monday, surpassing early vote totals from four years ago in many closely watched states.
Political parties are closely monitoring the race for the U.S. Senate, which includes 35 seats. Republicans currently hold 53 seats, Democrats hold 45, and two independents caucus with the Democrats. The Associated Press notes that Republicans were bracing to lose the House and fighting to hold the Senate, with one or two seats potentially tipping the balance of power. In New Hampshire, the open Senate seat is considered a toss-up or lean Democratic by some analysts, given the 2024 presidential margin and the high-profile nature of the candidates.
Election administration has been a point of focus in the days leading up to Tuesday. A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from carrying out a plan to prevent noncitizen voting, a move critics said risked disenfranchising eligible voters. The U.S. Postal Service added hours and staff to ensure mail ballots are counted on time. These administrative steps are part of a broader effort to manage the most expensive election in history, with Republican committees outspending Democratic groups at the national level of advertising data.
For voters in the county, the day begins with the anticipation of a high turnout. The Associated Press quotes Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters, who stated that everything depends on turnout. Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene countered that the American people are angry and want change. In Manchester, Nashua, and Concord, these national narratives are filtered through local concerns about cost of living, healthcare, and taxes, issues that voters like James Moore, a librarian in Raleigh, North Carolina, described as driving his decision to vote.
As polls open, the state's election officials are preparing for a busy day. The varied poll hours in New Hampshire require voters to plan their trips accordingly. In Manchester, the city's polling locations are ready to receive ballots from early morning until the evening close. The same applies in Nashua and Concord, where the mix of federal, state, and local races ensures that every ballot carries significant weight in the broader national election.
The results of these races will determine the makeup of Congress for the final two years of President Trump's term. If Democrats win either chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings are likely to begin. A strong Democratic night would also boost the profiles of potential 2028 candidates. For now, the focus is on the ballot boxes, where voters in New Hampshire and across the nation are casting their votes to shape the future of the government.
