Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska
The very first result of the U.S. presidential election is in, and Dixville Notch, a small community in New Hampshire, once again underscores how divided the political landscape in the United States truly is. Located in the far northern part of the state, about 32 kilometers (20 miles) south of the Canadian border with Quebec and at an altitude of 550 meters (1,800 feet) in a mountainous region, Dixville Notch has gained national recognition for its unique tradition of midnight voting.
This tradition was initiated by Neil E. Tillotson, a prominent resident of Dixville Notch. Born in 1898, Tillotson was the inventor of modern latex production methods for balloons and gloves. He moved to the community in 1954 and later became the owner of The Balsams, an iconic resort in the area. Frustrated by the 45-minute drive to the nearest polling station, he learned about the concept of midnight voting from a journalist and arranged for Dixville Notch to establish its own voting precinct. In 1960, with permission from the state of New Hampshire, the first official midnight voting took place in The Balsams’ ballroom.
Since then, Dixville Notch has become a symbol of the start of every presidential election and the New Hampshire primary, the first in the U.S. nomination process. Shortly after midnight, all eligible voters gather in the ballroom to cast their ballots. The ballot box closes as soon as the last voter has voted—often within just a minute. This quick count allows the result to be announced almost immediately after midnight, with nationwide media coverage soon following.
This year, voting in Dixville Notch resulted in a remarkable tie, with both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump receiving exactly three votes each. This outcome reflects, on a small scale, the broader polarization in American society, where the gap between political factions appears to be widening.
Since the 1960s, the result from Dixville Notch has been seen as a symbolic indicator, even though it represents only a tiny fraction of the total vote. The first result from Dixville Notch often offers an early glimpse into the tone of election night, underscoring this year’s ongoing division within the United States.
With the country focused on the upcoming results, the outcome in Dixville Notch highlights how challenging the path to national unity remains. At the same time, this unique tradition marks an exciting start to an election night that will shape the country’s future.
Photos: ©Communications-Unlimited.nl
Author: Beata Bruggeman-Sękowska graduated in American culture studies from Warsaw University and journalism. She is an international journalist, TV correspondent, author, chief editor of the international journalism center, Central and Eastern Europe Centre, president of the European Institute on Communist Oppression, and a sworn translator. She was born in Warsaw, Poland, and also has Armenian ancestry and roots in Lviv, Ukraine. She has been living in Heerlen, the Netherlands, since 2005.
