Dixville Notch Vote Highlights Election Kickoff

The tiny New Hampshire town of Dixville Notch has once again upheld its tradition of being the first to cast and count votes in the U.S. presidential election, revealing a tie between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, each receiving three votes from the town's six registered voters. This unique tradition, dating back to 1960, sees the town begin voting at midnight, with results announced shortly thereafter. Historically, Dixville Notch's results have not always mirrored national outcomes, as seen in previous elections like 2016 and 2020. The town's demographics include four Republicans and two independents, who reflect a microcosm of the tight national race. Additionally, in the New Hampshire gubernatorial race, Republican Kelly Ayotte received five votes against her Democratic rival Joyce Craig, indicating local political preferences. This small-scale result foreshadows a closely contested national election, highlighting the symbolic significance of Dixville Notch's voting tradition.