Voting and counting for the US presidential election is over, and Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are tied — not less than amongst voters in a small township within the north-east of the nation.
For many years, in-person voting for US elections has began at midnight in Dixville Notch, close to the border with Canada.
The tiny township is positioned in Coos County, within the north-eastern state of New Hampshire.
On the morning of 5 November, six registered voters have been among the many first within the nation to solid their ballots in individual.
“I believe New Hampshire is a purple state, and I believe it’s totally divided. And I believe even the six of us is likely to be divided,” resident Annmarie Pintal stated.
Polls opened within the small city at midnight on Tuesday native time (4pm AEDT on Tuesday) to the sound of an accordion taking part in the nationwide anthem.
They closed minutes later — and the outcomes got here in quick: three votes went to Republican candidate Trump and three went to Democratic candidate Harris.
For resident and voter Scott Maxwell, the consequence was a “shock”.
“I knew who my spouse was voting for. The others, I actually wasn’t certain …. You simply do not know,” he stated.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump tied three votes every because the residents of Dixville Notch solid their ballots within the US election at midnight. Supply: Getty / Joseph Prezioso / AFP
Resident Leslie Otten stated he has been a Republican most of his life, however finds himself “in battle with the Republican Social gathering right now”.
“In order an American, I pledge allegiance to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the Invoice of Rights, to the structure, to the legal guidelines of our nation. I do not pledge allegiance to the president.”
Maxwell has lived within the township for three-and-a-half years. He stated of the midnight voting custom: “I really feel like my vote does not depend greater than your vote, or anybody else’s vote. We simply get to go first.”
Why does Dixville Notch vote at midnight?
In New Hampshire, the communities of Dixville Notch, Hart’s Location and Millsfield have been voting at midnight within the state’s political occasion primaries and basic elections for many years.
The custom is alleged to have began to accommodate rail staff who couldn’t solid their ballots throughout regular voting hours, in accordance with the Related Press.
It dates again to 1948 in Hart’s Location, and has taken place in Dixville Notch because the 1960 presidential election.
On the time, the city’s moderator, Neil Tillotson, is alleged to have moved to city the place he purchased a resort, renamed The Balsams Grand Resort Resort. After listening to about midnight voting from a information reporter, he began the method to carry it to Dixville Notch — and the custom caught.
Within the years since, reporters have descended on The Balsams for the midnight vote, which might take simply minutes, looking for early alerts as to how the state would possibly fall.
When the resort was closed, voting continued in several places. This yr’s ballots have been solid in the lounge of the resort’s Tillotson Home.
A musician performs the nationwide anthem because the residents of Dixville Notch put together to solid their ballots. Supply: Getty / Joseph Prezioso/AFP
Dixville Notch is the one city holding midnight voting this yr, in accordance with native reviews.
It was additionally the one neighborhood in New Hampshire to vote at midnight in , held in January.
How has Dixville Notch voted up to now?
In January, all six registered voters solid their ballots for Republican Nikki Haley, in a clear sweep over former president Donald Trump and the opposite candidates. Nevertheless, Trump went on to win the state, taking management of the Republican race.
Within the 2020 presidential election, all 5 votes went to Democrat Joe Biden. In close by Millsfied, Trump gained 16 votes to Biden’s 5.
The final time the neighborhood’s voters have been in settlement was in 1960, its first yr of midnight voting, when all 9 chosen Republican Richard Nixon over Democrat John F. Kennedy, in accordance with the Washington Publish.
In 2016, 4 of the township’s seven voters chosen then Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, who gained the favored vote, regardless of dropping to Trump, who took out extra .
A canine takes centre stage because the residents of Dixville Notch solid their ballots. Supply: Getty / Joseph Prezioso/ AFP
What may it imply for the 2024 race?
Watching election ends in Dixville Notch has develop into considerably of a spectacle, peaking curiosity amongst pundits about what the early outcomes may imply for the state — and the end result of the presidential race.
However with a declining inhabitants and COVID-19 disruptions within the state, the custom has slowed.
The way it performs out in 2024 stays to be seen.
