New Hampshire
US New England state, admitted to the Union in 1788, holds the earliest presidential primary.
New Hampshire has held the earliest US presidential primary since 1916, a role rooted in its political identity and protected by state law.
Last refreshed: 24 September 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Why does New Hampshire hold the first presidential primary?
Timeline for New Hampshire
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New Hampshire is a New England state whose early presidential primary gives it an outsized role in national nomination contests. The state’s election rules therefore draw attention beyond its borders, including a federal challenge to its voter-identification requirements on 1 September.
Admitted to the Union in 1788, New Hampshire’s capital is Concord and its largest city is Manchester. Its lack of a general sales tax and broad-based personal income tax remains a defining feature of its public identity. The state’s primary tradition makes it a regular testing ground for campaign organisation, voter access rules and national party strategy.
Its importance lies less in size than timing. Candidates, parties and outside groups treat New Hampshire as an early measure of electoral strength, while state-level rules can shape WHO takes part in that test.
When did New Hampshire become a state?
Why does New Hampshire vote first in presidential primaries?
What is New Hampshire's HB 323 voter ID law?
