Dixville Notch, a small town near the Canadian border in New Hampshire, is gearing up to revive its quadrennial tradition of holding a midnight vote in the 2024 Presidential primary elections. This unique polling event, set to take place at the stroke of midnight, opens the polls for the remote town’s residents, closing after all votes are cast.
In 2024, Dixville Notch will see six votes up for grabs, one more than the previous election in 2020. As the Republicans participate in this year’s vote, the choices for the GOP contenders include former President Donald Trump and Nikki Haley, the former ambassador to the United Nations.
On the Democratic side, President Joe Biden is not officially on the ballot but is expected to be a write-in candidate. The decision not to file for participation is in support of the Democratic National Committee’s move to recognize South Carolina as the party’s first primary vote. In an effort to secure support, the Biden campaign has encouraged supporters to write in the President’s name, aiming to counter fringe challengers such as Representative Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson. These challengers have utilized the unsanctioned primary to argue that President Biden should face a competitive primary.
Historic Midnight Vote Tradition
Dixville Notch’s midnight voting tradition has roots dating back to 1960 when Neil Tillotson successfully campaigned at the New Hampshire Legislature to recognize the town as a stand-alone voting precinct. As an unincorporated township without authorization to conduct official activities, Tillotson and eight other residents gathered to cast their votes at midnight. Tom Tillotson, Neil’s son and the current Town Moderator, shared insights on the tradition’s inception, noting that while there wasn’t much press coverage initially, it marked the beginning of a unique and enduring tradition.
Although Dixville Notch was not the first town to hold a midnight vote, it stands as the sole town continuing this tradition in 2024, according to WMUR.
Looking Back at Dixville Notch’s 2020 Votes
In the 2020 Presidential primary, Dixville Notch cast its votes for Michael Bloomberg and later supported Biden in the general election, as reported by the Associated Press. In the Republican primary, Bloomberg secured three write-in votes, while Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders each received one vote in the Democratic primary. Biden emerged victorious with all five votes in the general election.
Anticipation and Preparations
As the residents of Dixville Notch prepare for the midnight vote, the nation watches with anticipation. With the unique circumstance of a write-in campaign for President Biden and the exclusive participation of Dixville Notch in the midnight vote tradition for 2024, the event adds a distinctive chapter to the electoral process.
For those eager to follow the developments, Dixville Notch’s midnight vote offers a glimpse into a longstanding tradition that encapsulates the essence of small-town democracy. As the first ballots are cast right at midnight, the town’s six votes will contribute to shaping the narrative of the 2024 Presidential primary elections.