Just 7% of 18-year-olds were registered to vote across New Hampshire as of March 31, according to data from the Civics Center. That figure stands as the lowest of the 32 states tracked by the Civics Center, setting the backdrop for how first-time voters approach the 2026 midterm election.
New Hampshire Registration Drives Target Low Turnout
To combat low civic participation, student-led registration efforts emerged in New Hampshire high schools ahead of the November 2026 midterms. At Merrimack Valley High School, junior Maxine Cornista organized a voter registration drive in the school library on October 21, 2026, with assistance from Open Democracy high school coordinator Samuel Cassin. Cornista felt that a student-led voter drive would be the most effective way to disseminate election information, noting, “It seems more relatable to the audience.”
New Hampshire state laws present distinct hurdles for young voters. Unlike neighboring states, voters cannot register at the Division of Motor Vehicles and must instead see an election official in person during business hours. New Hampshire adopted a law that prohibits students from using student IDs to verify identification.
First-Time Voters Prioritize Affordability and Security
First-time voters head to the polls with distinct economic and social priorities. Avery Snarey, a senior at Merrimack Valley High School, stated that she focuses on systemic accountability and college affordability after watching peers struggle when financial aid packages fell through. Snarey noted, “Everyone’s kind of working for each other and not really thinking about what the everyday person needs.”
Other students voiced differing concerns. Concord High School student Duffy stated that she prioritizes lowering taxes, noting, “For some things, it’s better if we spend that money on our own instead of everybody pulling in more money.” Duffy registered to vote at the City Clerk’s office on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, alongside classmates and social studies teacher Becky Tancrede. Meanwhile, Concord High School senior Benji Sullivan emphasized the importance of using one’s privilege to vote, stating, “You should care because it affects everyone around you.”
National Perspectives on First-Time Voting
Across the country, first-time voters in the 2026 midterms grapple with similar themes of civic duty and independent research. Isaiah Allen Curry, 18, stated that researching candidates is necessary because “not everyone on that side is right.” In Pennsylvania, 18-year-old Grace Walter emphasized that young people need to use their voices. In California, 18-year-old Giselle Garcia shared her anxiety about voting for the first time, noting that she registered alongside her parents after they achieved citizenship.
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Former interns writing for the Capital Chronicle recalled that early voting experiences often involved community traditions, such as high school government students working local polls or driving hours back to their hometowns just to experience voting in person.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Hampshire Student Voting
Why was New Hampshire’s 18-year-old voter registration rate notably low?
As of March 31, just 7% of 18-year-olds were registered across New Hampshire, marking the lowest rate among the 32 states tracked by the Civics Center.
How do New Hampshire registration rules differ from other states?
New Hampshire voters cannot register at the Division of Motor Vehicles and must instead see an election official in person during business hours. State law prohibits students from using student IDs to verify identification.
Who organized the voter registration drive at Merrimack Valley High School?
Merrimack Valley junior Maxine Cornista spearheaded the voter registration drive held in the school library on October 21, 2026, with help from Open Democracy high school coordinator Samuel Cassin.
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