The first presidential election results are in - and it's a tie.
President Barack Obama and his Republican rival, Mitt Romney, each received five votes in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire.
The town in the state's northeast corner has opened its polls shortly after midnight each election day since 1960 - but today's tie was the first in its history.
Explainer: What if there's a national tie?
The result was unexpected, said town clerk Dick Erwin. The town has two registered Democrats, three Republicans and five independents.
"Considering the way things are polling around the country, we may have been the first tie of the day," said town clerk Dick Erwin, noting the national polls showing a virtual dead heat in the race. "Keep your eyes on the news reports, because it's going to be a wild ride."
The town, home to about a dozen residents, has drawn national media attention for being the first place in the country to make its presidential preferences known.
Unlike some parts of the country, election officials never have to worry about lack of interest. Dixville Notch has had 100% voter turnout since it started its first-in-the-nation voting tradition.
Under New Hampshire voting law, a poling place can be closed once all registered voters have officially cast their ballots. With all 10 registered voters on hand, the community had its tally shortly after midnight.
However, since 1996, another small New Hampshire town - Hart's Location - reinstated its practice from the 1940s and also began opening its polls at midnight.
The result there? Obama 23; Romney 9
The result in Dixville Notch is hardly a reliable bellwether for the eventual winner of the White House - or even the result statewide.
Although the community typically leans Republican, residents went for Obama in 2008 - the first time the majority of folks in Dixville Notch went for a Democrat in 40 years.
Be sure to visit these and other Election Day interactive features from CNN.com:
See your ballot before you vote
Issues: Where the candidates stand
How much campaign money has been raised and spent in your state
Share your voting story and photos with CNN iReport
The CNN Facebook I'm Voting App
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Post by: CNN's Ed Payne, CNN's Vivian Kuo Filed under: 2012 Election • Barack Obama • Politics • U.S. |
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Welcome to the Clinton News Network (CNN), your source for comments from Dumacrats that enjoy failed policy. And, the source that gives no hope for another four years.
You're welcome to put your tinfoil hat on and head back over to Fox News any time you like.
Speaking of failed policy, remember your god Bush Jr?
Obama's policies have begun to get us out of the mess created by previous failed policies. A vote for Romney is a vote to go back to those failed policies. FORWARD!
STUPID!!!
"First Election days ends up in a tie" ?? well what the hell how many election days there are? are they writing from the future? Ahh I forgot this from the reporters that have headlines like Reporter avoids DISASTER!! when they got pooped on by a bird live ... lol
Because there are more important things, like adults who don't know how to use grammar.
Did the black panthers not show up here?
Hey CNN,why no coverage of the Black Panthers showing up in Philly and the GOP election officials appointed by the court getting tossed out of polling places by Dems?
HAHA! Four more years.
Good question, Rob.
Don't you have Fuxnews for those lies?
funny how libs all make fun of faux news when CNN has even worse ratings.
Yeah CNN is Liberal ....they do anything to Win!!! Down the wire we will all show at the Polling place!! Romney/Ryan 2012!!
Black panthers? Man, Republicans have strong delusions.
How is taking out the trash news worthy?
I voted for Big Bird
Everybody look out. Word is that the Dems will proclaim victory early to suppress GOP voters. Word is getting out loudly, and quickly over the air-waves in hopes nobody falls for it.
You're so stupid. Repubs don't come out to vote because their so busy talking trash on CNN.
Mike, Republicans don't vote early because they're too busy working. 😉
In the old days it wasn't because they were trash talking CNN.... It was because of literacy – they couldn't spell 'X'...
JenniferK8 – You're correct, they are working on the plan to continue to screw the middle class and the poor.
Either CNN is suffering from a sql injection attack, or someone at CNN is selectively removing comments – my guess is the latter.
Perhaps some people posting here need to read "Liberalism is a Sin" by Salvany.
This is irresponsible journalism. Making a story where there is none. Pathetic CNN.
My sentiments exactly, Mel! How the heck did this make 'front page' news? A classic example of media manipulation.
2 Dems, 3 Reps, 5 Indies...guess that means 3 of 5 Indies went for Obama. If nationwide trend stays the same, Obama for 4 more years. I like the math.
Amen.
Amen 2
of course you do. you would rather sit around all day and play xbox instead of a job. but at least your wife has food stamps to work with. god foibid romney wins then there might be a job to get. better start making your clothes pin soldiers for your kids at christmas.
If these voting results are representative of the way that Independents will vote across the nation, then it doesn't look too good for Obama.
How so? Assuming those registered as affiliated to a party voted along party lines, that means 3 out of 5 indepents voted for Obama.
Re-do your math: 3 of 5 voted Obama.
Everyone forgets that Dems will take an early lead until everyone gets off of work.
Exactly.
Republicans can be broken down into two groups: Angry old white people, and younger white people that act like angry old white people.
Most federal aid goes to RED states. That includes white trash in trailer parks. The whole "Republicans are the only ones who work" is a joke. Shame on you.
What a silly comment. I bet you're the same person who complains that union workers typically vote Democratic. Oh wait... aren't they all working? And BTW, they don't announce voing results in 99.999% of the precincts in this country until the end of the voting day. This is by law and has been that way for many decades. it is not like a sporting event where any observer can view the results as the day progresses. Were you aware of that?
THE MORMON GOD ON THE PLANET KOLOB HAS WILLED THAT WILLARD "MITT" ROMNEY BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT. Obey and Be happy: OBEY.
I fail to see how his god/religion is any more bizarre than Obama's religion.
exactly. we have all seen the racist garbage obama soaked in for twenty years and then denied it. nothing could be worse then that.
Obama's lead will evaporate once the republicans get off work to vote.
"Obama's lead will evaporate once the republicans get off work to vote."
That' right because the democrats don't work right? That why on average democrats have hiring paying jobs and better educations.
Obviously you're not working too hard, since you have the time to be a CNN comments troll.
"hiring paying jobs..." Well we know whos on welfare posting from his Obama phone.
I'm not sure what your point is–Republicans are too lazy to vote before work and Democrats aren't?