KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) New Hampshire voters are heading to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, to decide a series of closely watched elections, including contests for the U.S. Senate, Congress and governor, as well as state and local offices.

Secretary of State David Scanlan is predicting record turnout for a midterm election in New Hampshire. The results could have implications well beyond the Granite State, particularly in the contest for an open U.S. Senate seat that could help determine which party controls the chamber.

U.S. Senate race draws national attention

The race to replace longtime Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is among the most closely watched contests on the ballot. Democrat Chris Pappas, a four-term congressman representing New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, is facing Republican former Sen. John Sununu.

Sununu previously served in the Senate before losing his 2008 reelection bid to Shaheen, who has represented New Hampshire in Washington since 2009 and is retiring at the end of her current term.

The contest has attracted substantial financial support from outside groups and national political organizations. According to AdImpact data, approximately $78 million has been spent on the race, with Republican spending exceeding support for Pappas by roughly $12 million.

Constitution Party candidate Edmond LaPlante, who chairs the party’s New Hampshire organization, is also running for the seat.

Congressional and gubernatorial contests

In the 2nd Congressional District, Democratic incumbent Maggie Goodlander is seeking another term against Republican Lily Tang Williams. Independent candidate Robbie Mahrou is also on the ballot. An Oct. 20 Saint Anselm College poll showed Goodlander with an approximately 16-point lead.

Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte is also seeking reelection, facing Democrat Cinde Warmington, who previously served on the state’s Executive Council from 2021 through 2025. Libertarian candidate Stephen Villee is also competing in the gubernatorial race.

Two Executive Council seats covering portions of the Monadnock Region are being contested. Democrat Karen Liot Hill is defending her seat against Republican Tobin Menard, while Republican incumbent David Wheeler faces Democrat Melanie Levesque in another district.

Voters will also choose numerous representatives for the N.H. House across the region. State Sen. Donovan Fenton is running without a Republican challenger.

Two questions also appear on ballots

In addition to selecting candidates, New Hampshire voters will face two statewide ballot questions.

Question 1 asks whether the state should eliminate the register of probate position, an office that has become largely obsolete.

Question 2 concerns school funding and local property taxes. The proposal, established through House Bill 1300, would impose two separate financial restrictions on school districts for a two-year period if approved by voters.

The first provision would limit annual growth in the local school property tax levy. Under the proposal, the amount raised through local school property taxes could not increase beyond the previous year’s levy, except for adjustments reflecting inflation and qualifying new construction. This means the tax levy could still increase, but its growth would be restricted by those factors.

The second provision would limit spending on School Administrative Unit (SAU) central office operations to 6% of total school district appropriations. Importantly, this does not mean that school districts would be required to spend 6% of their budgets on administration, nor does it impose a 6% reduction in administrative spending. Rather, it establishes a maximum amount that can be allocated to central office administrative operations, measured against the district’s overall appropriations.

Central office expenses can include superintendent services, business administration, human resources, payroll, district-level curriculum administration and other administrative functions.

The proposal specifically distinguishes these central office expenses from classroom instruction and school-based services. It also excludes bonded capital costs from both financial limits.

Although the measure does not directly place a spending cap on classroom instruction or school-based services, school officials have raised concerns about how the restrictions could affect districts facing rising operating expenses. Costs associated with employee benefits, special education, transportation, utilities and staffing can continue to increase even when the amount a district is permitted to raise through property taxes is restricted.

If districts cannot cover those expenses within the limits, school officials could face difficult budget decisions involving staffing, programs, transportation and other services.

For the measure to pass, at least 60% of participating voters across the school district must approve it. This distinction is particularly important for districts serving multiple communities: the results are calculated across the district as a whole, rather than requiring each individual town to reach the 60% threshold.

If approved, the restrictions would take effect beginning with the fiscal year starting July 2027 and remain in place for two years. The law also requires the question to return to the ballot in 2028, allowing voters another opportunity to decide whether the limits should continue.

Where to vote in Keene

Keene polling places are open Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents must vote at the location assigned to their ward:

Ward 1: Michael E.J. Blastos Community Room

Ward 2: Keene Recreation Center

Ward 3: Keene Middle School

Ward 4: Symonds School

Ward 5: Monadnock Covenant Church

Voters elsewhere in New Hampshire who need to confirm their polling location can visit app.sos.nh.gov/pollingplace or contact their local town clerk’s office.

With national political control, state leadership and local education funding all at stake, Tuesday’s election gives New Hampshire voters several important decisions to make as they head to the polls.