In this segment of The Morning Update, host Jeff Chidester talks with New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan for a crucial update as voters head to the polls for the 2026 Midterm Primary Election.
Secretary Scanlan breaks down the administrative expectations for turnout statewide, providing a clear roadmap for what voters should anticipate throughout Election Day.
Secretary Scanlan outlines essential rule changes taking effect for this election cycle, detailing updated voter identification guidelines, documentary requirements for registering, and recent court rulings regarding citizenship documentation and affidavit procedures.
For first-time and undeclared voters, he offers practical advice on navigating same-day registration at local polling locations, selecting party ballots, and changing party affiliation back to undeclared status before leaving.
Looking beyond election night, Secretary Scanlan explains the multi-day process of tallying hand-counted and machine-processed ballots, verifying returns, handling potential recounts, and certifying final results across the state.
Finally, he shares what lies ahead for his office as they transition immediately toward the November 3 General Election, while providing an update on ongoing efforts to protect New Hampshire’s historic First-in-the-Nation Presidential Primary status for future election cycles.
