16 Aug 2026

NH Primary September 8, 2026

Democratic Party Sample Ballots, Locations & Hours

Durham Sample Ballot
Oyster River High School Gym
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Lee Sample Ballot 
Lee Public Safety Complex, 20 George Bennett Road
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Madbury Sample Ballot 
Madbury Town Hall, 13 Town Hall Road
11:00 am to 7:00 pm

To see ballots for other towns and cities, go to the NH Secretary of State’s website: https://www.sos.nh.gov/elections/sample-ballots


⚠ Important Change: Student IDs No Longer Accepted

A school-issued student ID can no longer be used to register to vote or to obtain a ballot at the polls. Under HB 323, signed into law this spring, New Hampshire now requires a government-issued photo ID to verify your identity when voting. This is a change from prior law, which allowed college and high school students to use their school ID. Acceptable forms of ID include a driver’s license (from any state), a U.S. passport, a military ID, or a state non-driver ID card.  If you don’t have another qualifying photo ID, you can apply for a free non-driver ID card from the NH DMV.  More information is available from the NH Secretary of State’s voter ID guidance.

(Note: a legal challenge to this law is pending in federal court as of this writing. We’ll update this notice if the requirement changes before the election.)

 

What Primary Races Are Contested?

Every seat up for election in November also appears on the September 8 primary ballot. Below, we’re highlighting only the contested races, those with more than one Democratic candidate:  U.S. Senate, US Congressional District 1, and the Durham State House primary.

U.S. Senate

Ballotpedia site for US Senate Candidates in the September 8 Democratic Primary is available HERE. 

Learn more about these candidates from their websites linked to their names here: 

 

U.S. Congress, District 1

Ballotpedia site for Primary Candidates for US Congress, 1st Congressional District is available HERE. 

Learn more about these candidates from their websites linked to their names here: 

 

NH House of Representatives, District 10 (Durham)

Voters in Durham will see a contested Democratic primary for the FOUR NH House of Representatives seats representing District 10 (Durham)

Check out the VOTER GUIDE here for information about each of these Durham candidates.

Learn more about these candidates from their websites linked to their names here: 

A Candidate Forum for the Durham primary race was held Thursday, August 27 at the Durham Town Hall. A recording of the forum can be viewed HERE. 

 

Voter Registration & Absentee Voting

For statewide information on registering to vote, absentee ballots, polling place hours, and general voting procedures, visit the NH Secretary of State’s voter information page HERE. 

Your Town Clerk is a great resource for election questions and your best resource for anything specific to your town — registration status, absentee ballot applications, polling locations, and hours.

  • Durham Town Clerk: (603) 868-5577
  • Lee Town Clerk: (603) 659-2964
  • Madbury Town Clerk: (603) 742-5131

 

About Voting in the Primary

New Hampshire runs a semi-closed primary system that treats Democrats and Republicans the same way:

  • At the polls: Registered Democrats automatically get a Democratic ballot; registered Republicans automatically get a Republican ballot.
  • Undeclared/unaffiliated voters can choose either party’s ballot — Democratic or Republican — at the polls or on their absentee application. Whichever party they pick, they become registered with that party, unless they fill out a card to return to “undeclared” status before leaving the polling place, or later at their Town Clerk’s office.
  • The deadline to change party affiliation ahead of the September 8 State Primary was June 2, 2026. As of that deadline:
    • Registered Democrats can only vote in the Democratic primary.
    • Registered Republicans can only vote in the Republican primary.
    • Undeclared voters can still choose either party’s primary ballot.

 

A reminder from the Oyster River Democrats: every vote counts, and being prepared makes voting quick and easy!