State primary election is today

posted on 9/6/2026; updated 9/8/2026

The state primary election is today, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. Polling places in Dover are open until to 7 p.m. tonight.

The election will determine political party nominees for the general election to be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. There are two ballots for the Sept. 8 primary election: one for registered Republicans and one for registered Democrats. Undeclared voters may declare a party at their polling location on Election Day and receive that party's ballot. Voters may change party status back to undeclared by signing a form at the polls following the vote.

The City of Dover's 2026 State Primary Election webpage has sample ballots for the Republican and Democratic primaries for each of Dover's six wards. The page also has the polling locations for each ward.

Polling locations

Dover has six polling locations, one in each city ward. The polling places are:

• Ward 1 - Frances G. Hopkins Elementary School at Horne Street, 78 Horne St.
• Ward 2 - Dover Ice Arena, 110 Portland Ave.
• Ward 3 - Woodman Park Elementary School, 11 Towle Ave.
• Ward 4 - Garrison School, 50 Garrison Road
• Ward 5 - Dover Middle School, 16 Daley Drive
• Ward 6 - Hellenic Center, 219 Long Hill Road

What ward do I live in?

Utilize the City of Dover's online interactive map that shows the boundaries of Dover's six wards. Voters may also call the City Clerk’s office at 603-516-6018 for assistance.

Registering to vote

Voters who need to register to vote before voting must do so at their polling location on Election Day. The last day to register to vote in the City Clerk's Office was Sept. 1.

Deadline to return absentee ballots

The deadline for returning absentee ballots to be counted in the primary election:

• In person — 5 p.m., Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, at the City Clerk's Office. The office will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sept. 7 for receiving absentee ballots.
• By mail — 5 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026.

Absentee Ballot Status

Voters can check the status of their absentee ballot by utilizing New Hampshire Secretary of State's Voter Information Lookup.

The City Clerk's Office will be open on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026 from 1 to 5 p.m., to accept absentee ballots.