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New Hampshire Primary and Delegate Rules

Last reviewed: July 26, 2026. New Hampshire primary election and presidential delegate rule information is summarized from the source links listed on this page. Confirm final rules, deadlines, and party procedures with the listed official sources.

Quick Answer​

  • Primary types: Democratic presidential: Open to Unaffiliated Voters; Democratic state: Open to Unaffiliated Voters; Republican presidential: Open to Unaffiliated Voters; Republican state: Open to Unaffiliated Voters.
  • Consolidated presidential and state primaries: No.
  • Democratic delegates: 33 total, 23 pledged, 10 unpledged, 2 alternates.
  • Republican delegates: 22 total, 22 pledged, 0 unpledged, 19 alternates.

New Hampshire Primary Election Types​

Primary election types by party and contest
PartyContestPrimary type
DemocraticPresidentialOpen to Unaffiliated Voters
DemocraticStateOpen to Unaffiliated Voters
RepublicanPresidentialOpen to Unaffiliated Voters
RepublicanStateOpen to Unaffiliated Voters

Presidential and State Primaries Scheduling​

Consolidated Primaries: No

New Hampshire is one of the states that have not merged their presidential and state primaries. On a Presidential Election year, presidential primaries and State primaries are scheduled to run on different days

An undeclared voter may vote in a state primary or a presidential primary. You will be required to choose either a Democratic or Republican ballot when you go to vote. When you vote on a party ballot in a state or presidential primary, you become a registered member of that party unless you fill out a card or sign a list to return to undeclared status with the supervisors of the checklist before leaving the polling place.

New Hampshire Presidential Delegate Allocation​

The presidential primary process involves selecting delegates who will represent the state at the party's national convention. Delegates selected from the primary elections attend the party's national convention, where they officially nominate the presidential candidate. The candidate with the majority of delegates becomes the party's nominee for the presidential election. Candidates Ballot access rules vary depending on the candidate’s political party.

New Hampshire presidential delegate counts
PartyTotal delegate votesPledgedUnpledgedAlternatesAllocation methodThreshold
Democratic Party3323102Proportional15% minimum vote required
Republican Party2222019ProportionalA 10% threshold of the total statewide vote is required in order for a presidential contender to be allocated National Convention delegates.

Democratic Party Primary Delegates Process​

Democratic Party's Delegates Allocation​

NH Democratic party uses a proportional representation system based on the results of the Presidential Primary Election for apportioning pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention. The party will send a total of 33 Delegate Votes (23 Pledged, 10 unpledged) and 2 Alternate delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with the State Democratic party for further requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 15
  • At-large Delegates: 5
  • Pledged PLEOs Delegates: 3
  • Automatic Delegates - Unpledged PLEOs: 10
  • Alternate Delegates: 2

Automatic Delegates (Unpledged PLEOs - Super Delegates) Breakdown​

  • DNC Members: 6
  • Dem. Members of Congress: 4
  • Dem. Governors: 0
  • Distinguished Party Leaders: 0

Republican Party Primary Delegates Process​

Republican Party's Delegates Allocation​

The Republican party will send a total of 22 Delegate Votes (6 district-level, 13 at-large, 3 RNC) and 19 Alternate delegates to the Republican National Convention. All 22 of New Hampshire's delegates to the Republican National Convention are bound to presidential contenders based on the results of the voting in the New Hampshire Primary.

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with the State Republican party for additional requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 6
  • At-large Delegates: 13
  • RNC Delegates: 3
  • Alternate Delegates: 19

About These Rules​

This page contains primary election rules and presidential primary delegate allocation information for states and U.S. territories.

Primary voting rules and delegate allocation usually apply to statewide partisan primary elections. Check with your local election office for current guidance because rules, dates, and party procedures can change.

The information provided on this page was validated using the following resources: