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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President Clinton told those in Philadelphia that you wouldn't want a president who lies to you so don't vote for Romney. Clinton who lied under oath and committed perjury and who is campaigning for a president who lied about a 911 terrorist attack in Libya. CAN ANYONE BELIEVE THIS? Clinton is sounding more and more like that BOZO VP BIDEN!!!! Remember Clinton's "fairy tale" comments when Hillary was running against Obama
Great point!!
This just proves, it's going to be close. Just remember, every vote counts and if you don't vote, you can't complain.
Voted Romney in VA! Good, so mine cancels your bad vote out!
I love Obama! He makes it so i never have to work!
I see the kiddies are out to play
Yup all da kiddies are home and my 12 diff baby mamas are coming over too. We bout to partay when Obama wins. I'm buying the 40's with my gov't cheese and we will be watching on my bigscreen tv! I love not having to work for free. Obama is the shizzle!!!
I'm sorry to hear that.
VA all the way....you're my kind of person! I'm a Romney girl myself 🙂
I see theres still no mention of Obama murals illegally being in voting halls, new black panthers, and democrats forcefully removing GOP officials in Philly. Gotta love a party that plays dirty.
WOW, what goes around comes around...LOVE IT.........look at your history buddy....i'll be nice, yes, buddy
Me like Obama! Me hope he wins so me no deport and live free in country!
Nayone can tell me at what time to tune in for Mitt's concession speech?
Yea its the same time they re-up my EBT funds with tax payer money so I can live free and dont work, with 8 kids, because Im a lazy Obama welfare lover! Obama is the shizzle my nizzle!
Sarcasm is an unattractive quality.
A tie for Obama and Romney in nation's first results ????
The reality is ....OBAMA BY A LANDSLIDE,...MAYBE 61% TO 35%....
Nice math!! I see why you're voting for Obama...I too am a victim of the Detroit Public School System!
Voted for Obama in VA.....
I voted Romney in VA!
Voted Obama in VA! 🙂
My 13 relatives in Richmond, just voted for Romney!
Richmond, VA – voted Obama here. 13 relatives Dan? They probably lied to you 🙁
me and my 25 brothers voted for romney!
I voted Romney in VA and 6 of my close co-workers also did. We know what its like to value real work and not look for handouts here in VA.
Of course all 13 of your relatives voted for the Mormon nominee.
"Obama is expected to have an early lead in the polls until the Republicans get out of work"
Most Republicans I know play golf at country clubs all day and call it "work".
Bill D....nice.
I think the final tally is going to surprise a lot of people.
i will not be surprised by OBAMA WINNING 61% to 35%, IT may surprise people wasting their votes on FLIP-FLOP romney.
Flip Flop Romney? Funny, he doesn't look acrobatic. But if you say so...
Whites vs Welfare Trash? Are you implying if one is not white, s/he is on the side of the welfare trash?
Why is there no mention of Gary Johnson getting two votes?
The racism in these comments is unbelievable. It's a shame that so many were raised by people who should never have been parents in the first place.
that's the reason i carry my gun all the times when i am going out... never know i might cross path with a kkk member on this board any time. I hope Pres. Obama read this post and relax gun control
This is by far the best comment I've seen in a long time. It's amazing the hatred and lack of decency that is reflected by so many. By the way, I'm sure these varying opinions coexist peacfully during working hours. The real question is, why do people change so much outside of work and behind the mask of a computer.