U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and former U.S. president Donald Trump have tied with three votes each in the tiny New Hampshire township of Dixville Notch, kicking off Election Day in one of the first places in the country to report its presidential preference.
The unincorporated township, located along the U.S.-Canada border in New Hampshire’s northern tip, opened and closed its poll just after midnight ET in a tradition that dates back to 1960. Four Republicans and two undeclared voters participated.
By tradition, all eligible voters gather at the now-dormant Balsams Hotel in Dixville Notch to cast their secret ballots once polls open at midnight. Once every ballot is cast, votes are tallied and results announced – hours before anywhere else, making it a destination for national reporters, who often outnumber the voters.
Les Otten, one of the township’s voters and the lead developer for the Balsams, called the early release of the results “a civics lesson for the country,” adding that “if we can help people get out and understand that voting is an important part of their right as an American citizen, that’s perhaps the key to what we’re doing.”
Otten said he expects to break ground on the redevelopment project next summer. In the meantime, he said, “as long as we’re here and we’re property owners and we have, you know, our toothbrush in our bathrooms, we might as well exercise our right to vote.”
Nearby Millsfield and Hart’s Location, which is tucked in the White Mountains, first offered midnight voting before Dixville Notch but haven’t participated continuously and aren’t conducting it this year. A fictionalized version of the three neighbors was featured in an episode of Aaron Sorkin’s “West Wing” dubbed “Hartsfield’s Landing.”
Dixville Notch voters have supported the Democratic nominee the last two presidential elections, with the township in 2020 unanimously casting five votes for U.S. President Joe Biden and with Hillary Clinton in 2016 winning four of seven votes — two went to Trump and one to Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson.
In January, four registered Republican voters and two independents participated in the GOP primary, casting six unanimous votes for former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.
The 75-year-old Otten, who said he has been “a Republican ever since I was seven years old,” told CNN before Tuesday’s vote that he would cast his ballot for Harris.
“Nowhere in the Pledge of Allegiance does it say anything about pledging your allegiance to a person,” Otten said. “And I think at the end of the day, Trump has made it clear that you need to pledge allegiance to him, and he alone can fix this, and that is as anti-democratic as I can understand.”
The voters also cast their votes in the country’s most competitive governor’s race between former one-term Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte and Democratic nominee Joyce Craig, the former mayor of Manchester, to succeed retiring Republican Gov. Chris Sununu.
Dixville Notch: A Brief History
Dixville Notch, with its tradition of midnight voting, has become a symbolic starting point for the U.S. presidential elections. The township's first midnight vote occurred in 1960, when the town’s selectman, a man named [This is not part of the article] ,decided to allow residents to vote just after midnight. This unique practice has continued ever since.
The small population of Dixville Notch, currently around a dozen residents, makes it a microcosm of the broader political landscape. The township’s residents represent a cross-section of political views, and their votes often reflect the national mood. However, it's important to note that Dixville Notch is not considered a bellwether for the entire election, meaning its results aren't necessarily indicative of the overall outcome.
The Significance of Dixville Notch
Despite its minuscule size, Dixville Notch’s midnight vote has a significant cultural and political impact. The tradition has become a media spectacle, drawing national attention and generating considerable buzz around the election. Media outlets flock to the small town to capture the excitement and report the early results, making Dixville Notch a focal point for election coverage.
The practice of midnight voting in Dixville Notch also serves as a reminder of the importance of civic engagement and the right to vote. Les Otten, one of the township’s residents, highlights this significance, emphasizing that the early results are a “civics lesson for the country.” Otten believes that participating in the electoral process, even at a local level, can inspire others to exercise their right to vote and contribute to the democratic process.
Dixville Notch: A Window into American Politics
Dixville Notch, with its unique tradition of midnight voting, provides a glimpse into the political landscape of the United States. The township’s results, while not always predictive of the overall outcome, offer a snapshot of the national mood and highlight the importance of civic engagement. While the small community may not hold the key to predicting the election's winner, it certainly offers a fascinating and symbolic start to the electoral process, attracting attention from across the nation and the globe.
A Timeless Tradition
The tradition of midnight voting in Dixville Notch, now a cherished symbol of American democracy, underscores the significance of civic engagement. It allows residents to participate in the electoral process in a unique and early manner, attracting national attention and fostering a sense of community pride. This small New Hampshire township may not be a bellwether for the entire election, but it certainly serves as a captivating and symbolic start to the electoral process.
