In the upcoming 2024 election in New Hampshire, the state is once again expected to be a battleground state, with a history of backing Democrats in recent presidential elections. Former President Donald Trump, representing the Republican party, will face off against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, along with two third-party candidates. The state’s open governor’s seat will be contested by former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, a Republican, and former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig, a Democrat. In the 2nd Congressional District, Democrat Maggie Goodlander will go up against Republican Lily Tang Williams, while in the 1st District, Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas seeks a fourth term against Republican Russell Prescott.
New Hampshire is unique in its election reporting, as it reports votes at the township or ward level rather than by county, and the vast majority of votes are counted on election night. Less than 10% of ballots in the state are traditionally cast before Election Day, as an excuse is required to vote absentee. The Associated Press does not make projections and will only declare a winner when it is clear that the trailing candidates cannot close the gap. The AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments in the election, such as candidate concessions or declarations of victory.
On Election Day in New Hampshire, polling closing times vary depending on the municipality, with the latest time being 8 p.m. ET. Four presidential electoral votes are awarded to the statewide winner. Key races in the state include the presidential race between Harris, Trump, and two third-party candidates, the governor’s race between Ayotte and Craig, and the congressional races in the 1st and 2nd Districts. Other races of interest include State Senate, State House, and Executive Council, as well as Question 1 regarding raising the judicial retirement age.
In terms of voter registration and turnout, New Hampshire has approximately 890,518 registered voters as of September 30, 2024, with Democrats making up 29%, Republicans 34%, and undeclared voters 37%. In the 2020 presidential election, voter turnout was at 72% of registered voters. Pre-Election Day voting has been on the rise in New Hampshire, with about 32% of the total vote cast before Election Day in 2020, dropping to 10% in 2022, and the numbers for 2024 still pending. The state has a history of reporting a significant percentage of total votes cast by midnight on Election Day.
As the 2024 election approaches, New Hampshire remains a key battleground state with closely contested races at the presidential, gubernatorial, and congressional levels. With a history of backing Democrats in recent presidential elections, the state’s unique reporting system and voter turnout trends will play a significant role in determining the outcome of the election. The Associated Press will continue to provide coverage of the election, ensuring transparency and accuracy in its reporting of developments and results in New Hampshire.
