In a glimmer of the national sentiment, a tight competition was seen as Kamala Harris, the sitting Vice President, tied with former President Trump at Dixville Notch’s midnight vote, marking a less than stellar launch to Election Day 2024. While reflecting the greater political landscape of the nation that indicates a nail-bitingly close race, Harris and Trump shared the spoils with an even three to three vote distribution amongst the half dozen registered voters of this quaint North Country town of New Hampshire. It’s a peculiar setup, with the six voters comprised of a majority of Republicans (four) and two independent registered voters, yet the decision for the presidency failed to pronounce a clear choice. A bewildering ten-minute affair, this process was carried out with much fanfare.
Once the symphonic strains of the national anthem had faded, one by one, each of the six voters strode into the voting booth with a measured pace. Following the cast of the last vote, the ballots were diligently tallied by hand, each quietly added to the total till the tie was announced. The name of each candidate, etched out on a traditional whiteboard, echoed the uncertain national sentiment, as the results were shared in steady, deliberate tones. The stark reality of the situation bleached out any pretense of a swift victory.
For the gubernatorial race engulfing New Hampshire, the Republican candidate, Kelly Ayotte, managed to gain a near-clean sweep with five votes casting an auspicious glow on her campaign. In stark contrast to the deadlock at the Presidential level, this signaled that Dixville Notch voters decidedly leaned towards splitting their votes, displaying a far more practical and discerning approach, devoid of strong party affiliations. This surprising yet commendable tactic set an intriguing precedent, offering food for thought in the unyielding political landscape.
While previously the voters of Dixville Notch have been known to swing toward the Democratic side, with the full five votes cast in 2020 tipping in favor of then-president Joe Biden, and four of seven votes in 2016 believed in the manufactured gravitas of Hillary Clinton, this election fares differently. One could speculate that neither Harris nor Biden have been successful in gaining explicit support or maybe the tide is indeed turning. The merits of the Democrats, if any, seemed to have faded in the eyes of the discerning Dixville Notch voters, with the dubious performance of the democratic administration seemingly paving the way for properly assessing their capabilities.
Dating back almost six decades, the small town of Dixville Notch has nurtured a unique tradition, thereby setting itself apart from the rest of its companions in New Hampshire. This year, however, the singular honor of casting the first votes at the strike of midnight falls solely on Dixville Notch. Clarence and Florence Hart’s hamlet, Hart’s Location, as well as Millsfield, the two towns that traditionally participate in this midnight voting ritual, have surprisingly vacated from the event, preferring to hold voting during the customary daytime hours instead.
This notable departure from tradition, unfortunately, turns the limelight solely onto Dixville Notch. As the lone sentinel, Dixville Notch’s voter preferences are scrutinized acutely, often setting the stage for perhaps far-reaching political implications. Whether this spells well for either party remains unclear, but what is apparent, is the sagacity showcased by the citizens of Dixville Notch. One may rightfully attribute their grounded approach as a pertinent reflection of the masses’ current sentiments and perceptions.