Dixville Notch Casts First Votes in 2024 US Presidential Election: A Tie Between Trump and Harris

In the early hours of November 5, 2024, the small township of Dixville Notch in New Hampshire continued its long-standing tradition of casting the first votes in the U.S. presidential election. This year, the votes were split evenly between the two major candidates, with three votes going to Republican Donald Trump and three to Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.

Dixville Notch, located in Coos County near the border with Canada, has a population of just 13 residents, according to the 2022 American Community Survey data. Despite its small size, the town has been a focal point for election coverage due to its unique tradition of voting at midnight. This practice, which began in the 1960 presidential election, was initially started to accommodate rail workers who could not vote during regular hours.

The voting took place in the living room of the Tillotson House, part of The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel, a venue that has hosted this event for many years. The quick process saw all six registered voters cast their ballots within minutes of the polls opening at 12:01 a.m. local time.

While the results from Dixville Notch are often scrutinized for early signals on how the state or the national election might unfold, it is important to note that the town’s voting patterns do not always reflect the broader electoral outcome. For instance, in the 2020 presidential election, all five votes in Dixville Notch went to Democrat Joe Biden, whereas in nearby Millsfield, Trump won 16 votes to Biden’s five.

The tradition of midnight voting in Dixville Notch, along with other towns like Hart's Location and Millsfield, has been a staple of New Hampshire’s electoral process for decades. However, this year, Dixville Notch was the only town to continue this tradition).