Primary Elections
New Hampshire Primary Elections 2026
Primary date, filing deadlines, key contested races, and what to watch in New Hampshire ahead of the 2026 general election.
September 8, 2026
Primary Date
None
Runoff / RCV
June 2026
Filing Deadline
Very High — Senate open seat i
Competitiveness
Key 2026 Primary Races
| U.S. Senate | Jeanne Shaheen (D) is retiring — open seat and #1 Senate race |
| Governor | Kelly Ayotte (R) up 2026 |
| U.S. House | NH-1 and NH-2 both competitive |
2026 Primary Overview
New Hampshire holds late September primaries. The Shaheen Senate retirement creates the most competitive Senate race in the nation. Both Democratic and Republican primaries will feature multiple major candidates. Governor Ayotte faces re-election.