CHESHIRE COUNTY, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) New Hampshire voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Sept. 8, for the state’s 2026 primary election, with several contested races on the Democratic and Republican ballots in the Monadnock Region.

While voters will also choose candidates for statewide offices including governor, U.S. Senate and U.S. House, a number of local contests will determine which candidates advance to the Nov. 3 general election.

Among the Democratic contests are two races for the New Hampshire House in Keene, along with a challenge for Cheshire County attorney.

In Cheshire County House District 3, which covers Keene Ward 5, incumbent Rep. Philip “Phil” Jones of Keene is facing Aria DiMezzo.

In House District 4, representing Keene Ward 4, incumbent Rep. Jodi Newell is being challenged by C. Riley Blake.

The Democratic primary for Cheshire County attorney pits incumbent D. Chris McLaughlin of Westmoreland against David Jenkins of Jaffrey.

There are also several contested Republican races involving communities throughout the region.

In Cheshire County House District 15, which includes Chesterfield, Hinsdale, Keene Wards 1, 3, 4 and 5, Surry, Walpole and Westmoreland, two seats are available. The Republican candidates are Matthew Roach and Becky Shields, both of Hinsdale, and Jerry Sickels of Keene.

House District 17, covering Fitzwilliam, Richmond, Swanzey, Troy and Winchester, features a Republican contest between incumbent Rep. Jennifer Rhodes of Winchester and Max Santonastaso, also of Winchester.

In Sullivan County House District 8, two seats are at stake. The Republican candidates are Catherine Peschke of Croydon, Jonathan F. Stone of Claremont and Sebastian Zyzdorf of Goshen.

The Republican primary for Executive Council District 2 also includes local voters. The district encompasses 16 Cheshire County communities, as well as Hancock and Peterborough in Hillsborough County and Acworth, Charlestown and Langdon in Sullivan County. Tobin Menard of Newport and Kim Strathdee of Plymouth are seeking the Republican nomination.

New Hampshire’s primary system allows voters who are not registered with a political party to participate in either party’s primary. Undeclared voters can choose a Democratic or Republican ballot and may return to undeclared status after voting.

Keene Voter Information

Keene residents who need to register before the primary have until Thursday, Aug. 27, during regular City Clerk’s Office hours. The Supervisors of the Checklist will also meet that evening from 7 to 7:30 p.m. at City Hall to accept registrations before the deadline. Voters may also register at the polls on primary day.

Keene has five polling locations:

Ward 1: Michael E.J. Blastos Community Room, 400 Marlboro St.
Ward 2: Keene Parks and Recreation Department, 312 Washington St.
Ward 3: Keene Middle School, 167 Maple Ave.
Ward 4: Symonds School, 79 Park Ave.
Ward 5: Monadnock Covenant Church, 90 Base Hill Road.

Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voters who are unable to cast a ballot in person may also request an absentee ballot if they meet one of the qualifications under state law, including being away from their community on Election Day, having a disability, observing a religious commitment or being unable to appear during polling hours because of an employment obligation.

The City Clerk’s Office is located at 3 Washington St. and is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a Thursday closure from 11:30 a.m. to noon.

The general election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3.

For voters checking their registration, polling location or absentee ballot status, information is available through the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s voter information system.