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. Â 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. Â 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
|
Post by: CNN's Ed Payne, CNN's Vivian Kuo Filed under: 2012 Election • Barack Obama • Politics • U.S. |
This blog – This Just In – will no longer be updated. Looking for the freshest news from CNN? Go to our ever-popular CNN.com homepage on your desktop or your mobile device, and join the party at @cnnbrk, the world's most-followed account for news.
Seriously, I think if the electoral college ends in a tie (which is possible in this election), I think that would be the worst case scenario. Romney as president and Biden as Vice president, what a mess that would be. That would be a good time to do away with the electoral college I think.
There's no time to train a newbie. Romney wins, country goes down the toilet. Easy choice. Obama or heartbreak.
Where I come from, Obama is heartbreak.....
I do not like being called a racist for disagreeing with the presidents policies just because he is half black; therefore, I am considering voting against all black people in retaliation. So I guess I am now a racist.
This is America we dont "HAVE TO" do anything.. take care of your own business and stay our of mine.
Wow! There are people like you out there!
Ryan is Dracula. Imagine him being a heartbeat away from the presidency. Yikes!
For the failure of the Banking situation all has to be done is look to
Bill Clinton, Freddie Mac and deregulation
Jimmy Carter Founding Fannie Mae and the reinvestment act
Barack Hussein Obama Community Organizer for A.C.O.R.N. sued the Federal Government to force the Banks to make loans to people ON welfare.
Barney Franks Head of Bank Oversight Committee along with Herb Moses his live in Lover who was the head of the system.
View 2003 Bush Mc Cain confront Barney Franks about destroying banking system, youtube
Wow. I love how you didn't mention any Republicans in this. They had a hand in the recession as well.
Obama will be true to our country that is why I set another vote today for his continuous,as the President of the United States,we need his loyalty and hard work.
And you win joke of the day right here!!! HAHAHA! Thats funny! C
Thanks Ted, I was about to write the exact same thing.
There were 2 Democrats, 3 Republican and 5 independent. Obama got 5. It means he got 3 out of 5 independent voters, which means 60% of independent voter. Obama will win and I hope he will bring prosperity to our great country, by stopping wars, cutting expenditure, increasing tax rate for the wealthy and creating jobs.
God bless USA
G.O.P. Founded by 16 Black Former Slaves in Texas
Klu Klux Klan was the extreme left wing of the Democratic Party
Bull Conner Democrat
Abraham Lincoln Republican
Abraham Lincoln went agianst his party when he made the emmancipation proclamation. Republicans wanted to appease the southerners. They deserve credit for standing by Lincoln but not for freeing slaves. Today, Republicans engage in voter suppression of minorities. They close voting stations 2 hours earleir in minority counties and send broken machines to the urban areas. They also mis-train poll workers in minority areas by telling them things that will disqualify votes. I live in Ohio by the way. I have seen personally, police harrasing voters by taking names of voters outside the parking lot of the xenia , oh voting station during early voting. They were going to question me too when I was leaving the voting station, but I overheard one of the officers say " he just came out (of the building)" and just glared at me while leave. Republicans are no longer the party of good conscience they are the party of evil deeds and more greed.
well you don't have to have a job but it's a good idea
Sorry, Mitt is an empty suit.
You are the reason I didn't vote for Romney.
Dixville Notch? Seriously? Didn't Clinton used to summer there? Down by the lake,,?
yes he did summer there while he cheated on Hilary!!! And the world wants to trust him when he goea out and stumps for Obama, thats why they get alog, both are liers, just ask the wives the ones who really know them
Voted for Romney!!!