Dixville Notch, Dixville Township to Unveil New Year's Tradition
New Year's Eve and Day tradition continues in Dixville Notch
DIXVILLE NOTCH, N.H. (AP) — After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the tradition of casting the first ballots in the nation at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve will resume next week in Dixville Notch.
The tradition, which began in 1960, will take place at the Balsams Resort, the only hotel in town.
The tradition
The tradition began in 1960 when a group of local politicians and businessmen decided to hold an unofficial straw poll at midnight on New Year's Eve.
The poll quickly gained national attention, and in 1964, The Associated Press began reporting the results.
Since then, the Dixville Notch results have been reported by major news organizations around the world.
The tradition of casting the first ballots in the nation has continued uninterrupted for more than 60 years, except for in 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic.
The candidates
The candidates for the 2024 presidential election have not yet been announced, but there are a few potential candidates who have been mentioned as possible contenders.
Some of the potential candidates include President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
The results
The results of the Dixville Notch straw poll are not always an accurate predictor of the national election results, but they can provide an early indication of which candidates are popular in New Hampshire.
In 2020, for example, the Dixville Notch straw poll correctly predicted that Joe Biden would win the national popular vote.
However, in 2016, the Dixville Notch straw poll predicted that Hillary Clinton would win the national popular vote, but she ultimately lost to Donald Trump.
The Dixville Notch straw poll is just one of many early indicators of which candidates are popular in the United States.
Other early indicators include polls, fundraising totals, and endorsements from key political figures.
