NH Students Have Voted

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Hampshire Students Select Ayotte, Pappas in 2026 NH PBS Student Mock Election

More than 2,400 K–12 students across the state participate in hands-on civics education and cast ballots in statewide and congressional races.

DURHAM, N.H. (October 30, 2026) – The results are in! New Hampshire students participating in the 2026 NHPBS Student Mock Election selected Kelly Ayotte for Governor, Chris Pappas for U.S. Senate, Stefany Shaheen for U.S. House District 1, and Maggie Goodlander for U.S. House District 2.

A total of 2,411 students in K–12 classrooms across New Hampshire participated in this year's mock election, gaining firsthand experience with the election process and learning about the importance of informed participation in democracy.

At Maple Street School in Hopkinton, sixth-grade social studies teacher Jill Smart helped students prepare by reviewing the three branches of government, examining sample ballots and researching candidates. Students also analyzed campaign mailers to identify persuasive techniques and propaganda.

The lessons made an impression. One student raised his hand and declared, “Now I get why we are doing all this! It is so we know about the people we are voting for!”

To complete the experience, the class set up its own polling place, complete with privacy screens, to give students an authentic voting experience.

At Bow Elementary School, students combined civics and math as they tallied their mock election results.

The NHPBS Student Mock Election provides students across New Hampshire with an opportunity to explore the electoral process, learn about candidates and elections, and experience the importance of participating in our democracy.

For more information about the NHPBS Student Mock Election, visit the mock Election website: https://nhpbs.org/mockelection/.

About New Hampshire PBS: New Hampshire PBS inspires, educates and connects all Granite Staters every month—on-air, online, on mobile, in classrooms, and across our communities. From award-winning local and national programs to innovative education and community initiatives, we're turning stories into action and ideas into impact across the Granite State. Driven by passion and fueled by you, we are 100% community funded.

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