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.
Knowing away America works. I bet those poll workers will be paid all day, rather than be sent to another location. Actually , in all seriousness, it looks good for Pres Obama in right leaning towns to come out as well has he has.
To the Obama family, sorry folks your four year stay at OUR White House has come to an end. Better start packing. By the way, get all that sh%t off the lawn, your embarrasing us.
You are embarrassing yourself.
if that's the way you feel, get ready to be embarrased another 4 years you freaking Morron. By the way, its not the white House anymore @%tch.
That's what it's been all along - the code word: Take back America - from the black guy who dared to win the WHITE House. How dare he?! Well, it ain't your America any more.
I bet everyone, even down to your poor, poor kids, suffer for the poison, and daft ways you've bestowed upon them. You should be very sad. Your forefathers weep and you need a testosterone shot.
You should "start packing" and make Aliyah to Israel. There's lots of your kind around here... (I live in Israel)
They have lived there for 126,144,000 secs, and still have another 126,144,000 secs to go, but I know can't spend a second there in your life time.
you moroon, too sad for you coz white house still belongs to the obama family for the next FOUR years.. i feel sorry for you coz you will be hurting for the next Four years..
Washington Redskins lost their last game before a election which means...there will be a new president. So..if I am u..I would prepare for major mayhem and riots tonight.
Redskins have been losing period. Silly Rabbit!
Good luck with your meds.
No meds here!
I'd pay CNN not to report on Dixville Notch next year. Just let it be.
Given the fact that there will be no presidential election next year they probably won't.
I enjoy their results each election cycle. It's a quaint tradition that I hope never dies.
I just talked with CNN, they've agreed with your terms, but, they want $1,000,000.00.
I tink we should leave everyting for God to choose for us
I think He's not voting this year
Elohim or Jehovah?? It's your choice!!
that means at least half of the town is stupid
which half? LOL
only the stupid one would ask
Both halves lol
possibly true
Question: I see a lot of white folks voting for Obama. Is there any black folks voting for Romney? I don't think so. Speak up if you don't get harassed.
Why do my comments not appear ?
Anything critical of this news agent doesn't make it to the page. Why do we care about a little city of ten in New Hampshire, very misleading.
*town*
I for one enjoy this quaint hangover from a better time. Reporting on it is a tradition. I like traditions!
proves one thing....the ill informed are everywhere..
Obama 2012– The better choice. The better Human being.
Obama, or Romney, who ever wins will have my support. Stop blaming the men in the white house, use your energy to make things better not to complaint that your political God did not win... Sad to see the political fanatics..., you are all not too far from religious fanatics
-------------------------------------
"...since 1961, for 52 years now...
Republicans have held the White House 28 years
Democrats have held the White House 24 years
...So what's the job score?
Republicans: Â 24 Million Jobs in 28 Years. Â
Democrats: Â 42 Million jobs in 24 Years.
...But it could have been because, as the Senate Republican
leader said, in a remarkable moment of candor, two full years
before the election, their number-one priority was not to put
America back to work. Â It was to put the president out of work."BC
**No wonder the far right has to distract. Statistically thats'
(R) 0.85 Million/year avg.
(D) 1.75 Million/year avg.
Shame on them
-------------------------------------
Truth! Arithmetic in the words of Bill Clinton!
romney and bush jr are the same. we tried their failed policiesonce.... never again never
Actually, Romney....is far worse for the task. Everyone who has worked under mr Mitt angry does not like him....
When Romney left the governorship of Mass. his approval rating was 34%.
–
Romney made 800 VETO'S as Governor.
http://www.npr.o r g /2012/06/13/154583216/romney-as-governor-confrontation-one-big-deal
–
In a 2008 campaign ad, Romney actually bragged about taking on his Legislature: "I like vetoes; I vetoed hundreds of spending appropriations as governor," he said.
Romney issued some 800 vetoes, and the Legislature overrode nearly all of them, sometimes unanimously.
I'm from Mass! We are not fans of Romney!
I just hope it is decided tonight. I'm not sure the country can handle a bush/gore ordeal without some nasty incidents. Both of them are war mongering corpotatists with little respect for civil liberties so i'm not overly concerned about who wins. Choosing between the lesser of two evils is an endorsement of a system that gives you such miserable choices