Nikki Haley secures victory in New Hampshire’s midnight vote, triumphing over a field of six candidates.
Dixville Notch voters have kicked off the New Hampshire primary by casting the initial ballots, and all six participants have chosen former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley.
Responding to the results moments after they were recorded, Haley expressed her gratitude, stating, “A great start to a great day in New Hampshire. Thank you Dixville Notch!”
This tiny northern New Hampshire town commenced and concluded its polling shortly after midnight ET on the day of the state’s primary. The voting panel comprised four registered Republican voters and two independents. Notably, former President Donald Trump, the leading contender for the GOP presidential nomination, did not garner support in this early round.
Dixville Notch, located in New Hampshire’s northern tip, holds the distinction of being the first place to announce primary results due to its tradition of early voting that dates back to 1960. Although neighboring cities such as Hart’s Location and Millsfield initiated midnight voting earlier, they have not consistently participated and are not engaging in midnight voting this year. The trio was famously featured in an episode of Aaron Sorkin’s “West Wing” called “Hartsfield’s Landing.”
Dixville Notch’s midnight voting tradition traditionally took place at the now-dormant Balsams Hotel, turning into a media spectacle over the years. Despite concerns about a diminished population and the closure of the hotel awaiting redevelopment, Dixville Notch has managed to uphold this unique tradition.
The dwindling population of Dixville Notch has turned its grasp on this early contest into a local success story, offering political enthusiasts an early glimpse into the unfolding events.
In the 2020 primary, voters endorsed former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in the Democratic primary. Interestingly, they later rallied behind the eventual general election winner, Joe Biden, unanimously casting five votes in his favor. It’s noteworthy that Biden’s name did not appear on the ballot, and no delegates were awarded due to a dispute between the state and the Democratic National Committee, which shifted the first approved primary to South Carolina. Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota appeared on the ballot but did not secure any votes.
Town Moderator Tom Tillotson, whose father played a role in incorporating Dixville Notch for the sake of community voting convenience, urged caution against drawing overly instructive conclusions from the midnight results. He emphasized that the primary takeaway is to encourage active participation in the democratic process, stating, “There’s no magic bullet that comes out of here that tells people what to do or what’s going to happen. Sometimes we are right. Sometimes we are wrong.” Tillotson concluded by suggesting that the dedication of the community to vote at midnight might serve as an inspiration for others to take the democratic process more seriously.
