In a small village called Dixville Notch in New Hampshire, the first results of the 2024 US presidential election ended in a tie between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, with three votes each. This traditional early voting process in Dixville Notch, where six residents cast their votes at midnight, has been a longstanding tradition since 1960.
The tiny village, near the Canadian border, has a history of accurately predicting the eventual winner of the election. However, this year’s split result between Harris and Trump reflects the current political climate of a closely divided electorate. Even though four of the registered voters in Dixville Notch are Republicans and the other two are independents, the result was unexpected for some residents.
The early release of the election results from Dixville Notch serves as a civics lesson for the rest of the country, encouraging people to understand the importance of voting as an American citizen. This unique tradition, started by Neil Tillotson in 1960, has gained attention over the years for its accurate predictions and unusual voting time.
Despite the small sample size of voters in Dixville Notch, the tie between Harris and Trump indicates a highly competitive election ahead. The residents, who all live in a former hotel, expressed surprise at the split result, emphasizing the significance of participating in the democratic process.
The historical significance of Dixville Notch’s early voting tradition highlights the importance of civic engagement and voter turnout in shaping the future of the country. As the 2024 US presidential election unfolds, the tie between Harris and Trump in this small village sets the stage for a closely watched and highly contested race.
