The 2024 New Hampshire state primary is upon us. From the governor’s race to U.S. House and state representative battles, the Seacoast will see plenty of contested races on the ballot with the winners advancing to the general election.
Here’s what you need to know.
When is the New Hampshire state primary?
The state primary is on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
How to vote in the primary
New Hampshire residents can vote at their designating polling place on Election Day.
More: Seacoast polling times and places listed here
Registered Democrats and Republicans must vote in their respective party’s primaries. Undeclared voters can choose a Democratic or Republican ballot.
You can find sample ballots here, and you can check your voter information here.
If you are at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and domiciled in a New Hampshire town or city ward, you may register to vote on Election Day at your polling location. You must fill out a voter registration form and show proof of identity, age, citizenship and having established a domicile. If you don’t have the documents with you on Election Day, you may prove those qualifications by completing an affidavit.
If you meet certain qualifications, you may also vote by absentee ballot.
Here is a guide.
U.S. House primary elections in NH
First Congressional District
The Republican primary for New Hampshire’s First Congressional District features seven candidates: Russell Prescott, Joe Kelly Lavasseur, Chris Bright, Walter McFarlane, Hollie Noveletsky, Andy Martin, and Max Abramson.
The winner will face incumbent Rep. Chris Pappas.
Second Congressional District
Maggie Goodlander and Colin Van Ostern are vying for the Democratic nomination for New Hampshire’s Second Congressional District.
There are 13 candidates on the Republican side. They are Tom Alciere, Gerard Beloin, Michael Anthony Callis, Randall Clark, Casey Crane, Robert D’Arcy, Bill Hamlen, William Harvey, Vikram Mansaramani, Jay Mercer, Jason Riddle, Lily Tang Williams, and Paul Wagner.
What voters need to know: NH races for governor, Congress get heated and personal
NH governor’s races for Democrats and Republicans
There is a contested primary in both the Republican and Democratic primaries for governor.
In the Republican primary, Kelly Ayotte and Chuck Morse lead a crowded field that includes Shaun Fife, Robert Wayne McClory, Richard A. McMenamon II, and Frank Negus Staples.
Whoever wins will face either Joyce Craig, Cinde Warmington, or Jon Kiper, all running in the Democratic primary, in November.
More: NH races for governor, Congress get heated and personal: What voters need to know
NH Executive Council
The Republican primary for Executive Council District 4, which includes Lee and Barrington, features six candidates: Terese Bastarache, Robert Burns, John Reagan, John Stephen, Ryan Terrell, and Ross Terrio. The winner will face Democrat Jim O’Connell in the general election.
Contested NH State Senate race in greater Seacoast
Bill Gannon and Emily Phillips are facing off in the Republican primary for State Senate District 23, which represents Brentwood, Chester, Danville, East Kingston, Epping, Fremont, Kensington, Kingston, Newton, Sandown, Seabrook, and South Hampton. The winner will meet Democrat Brenda Oldak in the November election in a heavily Republican district.
Contested NH House races in greater Seacoast
There are several contested state representative primary races.
In Rockingham County District 6 (Brentwood), Allen Cook and Thaddeus Paul Riley are facing off in the Republican primary for who will take on incumbent Democratic Rep. Eric Turer in November.
In Rockingham County District 32 (Brentwood, Danville, Fremont), Republicans Melissa Litchfield and Scott Wallace are competing for the nomination to face Democrat Diana West.
More: Brentwood Republicans face off in two competitive NH House primaries
In Rockingham County District 10 (Newfields, Newmarket), Democrats Michael Cahill, Ellen Read, Lela Porter Love, and Toni Weinstein are running for three spots. Those who advance will appear on the November ballot with one Republican candidate, Jeanene Cooper.
More: Democratic voters in Newmarket, Newfields have 4 choices for 3 spots in NH House primary
In Rockingham County District 11 (Exeter), Linda Haskins, Julie Gilman, Gaby Grossman, Mark Paige, and Katrina Heinrich are running for four spots in the Democratic primary. The winners will face Republicans Robert Goeman, Brian Griset, and William Smith.
More: Exeter voters: to choose from 5 Democrats running for 4 NH House seats
In Rockingham County District 29 (Hampton), the Republican primary features Nicholas Bridle, David Hagen, Ken Sheffert, Bruce Theriault, and George Attar. The four candidates who garner the most votes will compete against Chris Muns, Mike Edgar, Alan Scott Blair, and Erica de Vries in the general election.
In Rockingham County District 40 (Hampton, Seabrook), Linda McGrath and Richard Sawyer are facing off in the Republican primary. Whoever comes out on top will run against Democrat John Patrick Carty in the general election.
In Rockingham County District 30 (Seabrook), Republicans William Fowler, Jason Janvrin, Aboul Khan, and Matt Sabourin are running for two spots. The winners will face Democrats Bob Albright and Justin Gregory Packard in November.
More: Hampton and Seabrook Republicans face off in competitive NH House primaries
In Strafford County District 10 (Durham), Timothy Horrigan, Loren Selig, Marjorie Smith, Wayne Burton, and Gale Bailey are running for four seats. There are no Republicans running, so the four winners will be unopposed in November.
More: Durham has 5 Democrats to choose from for 4 seats in NH House
In Strafford County District 11 (Dover Ward 4, Madbury, Lee), Democrats Erik Johnson, Thomas Southworth, and Janet Wall are running for three spots in the primary. It is no longer a contested primary after fourth candidate Andrew Kennedy suspended his campaign, but he will still appear on the ballot due to his late exit. They will face Republicans Joe Bazo, Denis Grenier, and Bill Taylor in the general election in November.
More: NH House candidate in Dover area who faced police investigation drops out of race
In Strafford County District 15 (Dover Ward 2), Alice Wade and Lucas Veitch are vying for the Democratic nomination. Whoever wins will face Republican Keith Mistretta.
More: Alice Wade, Lucas Veitch compete for Dover Ward 2 state rep Democratic nomination
In Strafford County District 19 (Rochester Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 6), Daniel Fitzpatrick, John Larochelle, Melena Lugo, and Seph Warren are competing in the Democratic primary. The three who advance to the November primary will be running against Republicans Kelley Potenza, David Walker, and Jenny Wilson.
More: What Rochester voters need to know about 4 Democrats in NH House primary
Strafford County sheriff
Three Democrats seeking to become the next Strafford County sheriff nominee are competing in the primary: Steven Bourque, Tracy Hayes, and Kathryn Mone. Voters will decide which will be on the ballot in November against Republican Scott Tingle.
More: Here are 3 Democrats running for Strafford County sheriff
