Live updates: Presidential election, state flag vote driving high turnout across Maine

Nov. 5—Polling places are off to a busy start on an Election Day that is sure to see heavy voter turnout across Maine.

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows greeted voters at 6 a.m. in Buxton, and election workers reported steady traffic in the first hours of the day. U.S. Sen. Angus King was among those to cast his ballot in Brunswick.

Voters are interested in the presidential race, of course. But they also said they wanted to weigh in on the five state ballot questions, including whether the official state flag should be changed to look more like the simpler, original version from 1901.

They are also casting ballots for one of Maine's two U.S. Senate seats and both of its seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. One of the closest House races in the nation is happening in the 2nd Congressional District.

All 186 seats in the Maine Legislature are also up for grabs. Tight races across the state could shift the balance of power in Augusta during the final two years for Democratic Gov. Janet Mills. The state ballot includes three bond questions and two other ballot referendums.

And voters will decide local elections and municipal ballot questions on topics ranging from turf fields to hazard pay for workers to school building projects.

We'll be gathering information all day, all across the state. Here's what you need to know this morning:

— Find your polling place

— What time do polls close? When will we get results? We've got answers to your Election Day questions

— We explain the 5 state ballot questions Mainers will vote on

— Read up on all our election coverage before heading to the polls

MADISON — Town Clerk Cheyenne Stevens said her office issues more than 1,000 absentee ballots and has received all but 28 back by noon Tuesday. Madison has just under 5,000 residents.

"We haven't had a single issue this morning, which is amazing," said Stevens, who is overseeing a presidential election for the first time.

For Tyler Avery, 20, Tuesday was the first time he has voted in a presidential election.

"I'm excited," Avery said.

Avery, who has lived in Madison his whole life, said he planned to vote for former President Donald Trump. He also said he's a fan of Republican Austin Theriault, who is challenging Democrat U.S. Rep. Jared Golden in Maine's 2nd Congressional District.

Lori Knowlton, 61, also said she was voting for Trump. Knowlton, who was with her partner, Darren Richards, 48, said she did not vote in the 2016 presidential election and voted for President Biden in 2020. The presidential election was the top concern for the two.

"I don't love his personality or how he can be condescending and rude sometimes," Knowlton said of Trump. "But I think about how the country was when he was the president. Our life and our household was all much better. And I also think that, as a country, we are much safer in the world when he's president."

Randy Wyman, 65, said he was "pretty sure" about his vote in the presidential election but had not made up his mind when he came to vote at 11:15 a.m.

"I'm going to make my decision when I get in the booth," he said. — Jake Freudberg, Morning Sentinel

PORTLAND — The line to vote has been out the door of the Portland Exposition Center all day, circling around the exterior of the building around 9 a.m. and getting shorter before noon.

At 11 a.m., some voters said it took them about 45 minutes to cast their ballot. Other polling places in the city saw similar waits, especially for those who are registering to vote for the first time — more than an hour at the Italian Heritage Center, more than three at Merrill Auditorium.

Betsy Bevis, 31, said she is sure to vote in every election, no matter whether the presidency is on the ballot. Still, she said this year in particular has a lot on the line.

"I would say I am really excited to vote for Harris, other than her Israel-Palestine policies. I'm really anti her policies on that," said Bevis. "That sort of made me less excited to vote for her. But there are lots of other reasons, like women's rights and abortion rights are really important to me. She's fighting for basic human rights — in our country, at least." — Sophie Burchell, Portland Forecaster

WASHINGTON — On Election Day, some voting lines will likely be long and some precincts may run out of ballots. An election office website could go down temporarily and ballot-counting machines will jam. Or people who help run elections might just act like the humans they are, forgetting their key to a local polling place so it has to open later than scheduled.

These kinds of glitches have occurred throughout the history of U.S. elections. Yet election workers across America have consistently pulled off presidential elections and accurately tallied the results — and there's no reason to believe this year will be any different.

Elections are a foundation of democracy. They also are human exercises that, despite all the laws and rules governing how they should run, can sometimes appear to be messy. They're conducted by election officials and volunteers in thousands of jurisdictions across the United States, from tiny townships to sprawling urban counties with more voters than some states have people.

It's a uniquely American system that, despite its imperfections, reliably produces certified outcomes that stand up to scrutiny. That's true even in an era of misinformation and hyperpartisanship.

"Things will go wrong," said Jen Easterly, the director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

None of these will mean the election is tainted or rigged or is being stolen. But Easterly said election offices need to be transparent about the hiccups so they can get ahead of misinformation and attempts to exploit routine problems as a way to undermine confidence in the election results. — Associated Press — Read the full story here

FALMOUTH — Jim Davis, 49, has been wrestling with his decision in the presidential race for months.

He declined to share who won his vote. But as a small business owner, he said economic policy and the regulatory environment matter to him a lot. He also considered the viewpoints of the women in his life — his wife and daughter.

"I'm going to say it was a very difficult vote," said Davis. "The most difficult I can recall. And I'm still not convinced I made the right choice."

For 87-year-old George Stowell, the choice was easy. He voted for former President Donald Trump.

"If you've ever been in the service, you'd know how they do things — with an iron fist," said Stowell, wearing an Air Force cap. "And that's how he does things."

Terry Skillin, 70, said he wrote in U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia for president. Manchin recently registered as an independent but previously ran as a Democrat. Skillin wrote in former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, a Republican who has criticized Trump, as his pick for vice president.

"They aren't necessarily about their party," said Skillin. "They're more about unity, good ideas, reaching across the aisle." — Emily Allen, Portland Press Herald

SOUTH PORTLAND — The South Portland Community Center, the polling place for about 9,000 city residents, was locked down by police for about 15 minutes Tuesday morning after a threat was made against South Portland High School, which is across the street.

The threat was one of several incidents of "swatting" at schools in Maine, or false reports intended to provoke an emergency response. Shannon Moss, a spokesperson for Maine State Police, said Tuesday that these calls were not credible.

"There is presently no known threat to the students, staff or public at this time," Moss said.

South Portland Police said on Facebook they were responding to the threat, which "appears to be a hoax." The school was locked down and all students and employees were safe, police said. Police asked that residents be "patient" as they investigate the threat.

While police were at the high school searching cars and buildings, no officers were seen at the community center, although nearby Highland Avenue was briefly closed.

Mayor Misha Pride, who was greeting voters at the community center, said there was "some frustration" from people who could not leave and had places to be, but people were generally calm.

By about 11:20 a.m., students were texting their parents to say they expected to be released any minute. The community center was back open for voting. The lines had dwindled to dozens, slowing for the first time all morning. — Ray Routhier, Portland Press Herald

SANFORD — As the morning mist cleared outside the Sanford High School gymnasium, a young girl posed for a photo with her dad's "I Voted" sticker.

Ann Andrew, 70, said in the parking lot that she cast her ballot for Harris because she believes the vice president is the best person for the job.

"I think the other candidates are completely unqualified and should not be anywhere near power," she said.

Abortion rights, as well as the economy, were her top concerns.

"I just could not tolerate seeing a couple of misogynistic pigs in power," she said, adding that she'll be glad once the election is over. "I don't get particularly stressed because I've seen enough things come and go that I know no matter the outcome, things will work out."

Jason Lapierre, a 45-year-old government employee, said he also planned to vote for Harris.

"I have a lot of gay people in my life, I am in recovery, so I just kind of vote for the party that affects the people and myself the most," he said. "The issues that the Democrats talk about tend to ring true with what I've experienced. Whether they fix them or not is one thing, but at least they're talking about them."

The ongoing political division was top of mind for a lot of voters.

Max Hunt, 30, said he voted for Harris because he felt the country needs "more unity, less division."

"It needs to be more about repairing the country," he said.

Lindsay Leavitt, 39, a hospitality worker, would not say who she voted for, but said she cast her ballot with the community's best interest in mind.

"I believe that I need to take advantage of the fact that I'm even allowed to do this," she said. — Hannah LaClaire, Portland Press Herald

LIVERMORE FALLS — Stephen Groomes still hadn't decided who would get his vote in Maine's hotly contested 2nd Congressional District when he stepped in line at the Livermore Falls fire station Tuesday.

Asked if he planned to vote for Democrat U.S. Rep. Jared Golden or Republican challenger Austin Theriault, Groomes said, "I don't know about that one. By the time I get to vote it will be there," and he'd be ready to mark the ballot.

Voters in Livermore Falls also considered whether the town should purchase a new cruiser for the Livermore Falls Police Department. Henry Pile said he supported the spending.

"If they need a new vehicle, we should get them a new vehicle," Pile said. — Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser

AUBURN — State Sen. Eric Brakey resigned his seat Tuesday so he could vote in New Hampshire on Election Day.

In a video posted on social media Tuesday morning, the 36-year-old Republican senator can be seen walking down a typical New England street as he tells viewers, "I just resigned my seat in the Maine State Senate, completing my move to the state of New Hampshire, and I'm now walking to the polls to go register to vote and cast my ballot" in New Hampshire.

Brakey said in the video that he planned Tuesday to vote "for a free New Hampshire."

Moments before posting the video, Brakey submitted his resignation letter to Maine State Senate President Troy Jackson. He said almost a year ago he planned to move to New Hampshire after the election.

Democrat Bettyann Sheats and Republican Bruce Bickford, both experienced State House hands, are each seeking election to the Brakey's seat in 20th Senate district, which includes Auburn, New Gloucester, Poland and Durham. — Steve Collins, Sun Journal

LEWISTON — City Clerk Kathy Montejo said her office has received more questions this year as elections have become more closely scrutinized.

Her team does everything they can to assure voters that the process is secure, she said. She said she reminds voters not to apply issues seen in other states to local elections in Maine, since states have different election rules. She also said since elections are conducted at the municipal level in Maine, rather than the county level like some states, volunteers are often recognizable to voters.

"It provides a level of trust," she said. "People see family members or co-workers, and you don't necessarily see that in other parts of the country."

Nearly 8,300 residents had voted early, in a city of about 30,000 registered voters. Montejo said nearly all of those early votes were processed on Friday by 30 volunteers at City Hall.

Outside the polls, voters said they turned out for the obvious reason — the presidential election — but some said they also wanted to vote for down-ballot candidates who have more direct impact on local communities.

"It's unbelievable the money spent," said Claire Bourgoin. "And we're collecting food for the homeless at the local parish." — Andrew Rice, Sun Journal

CAPE ELIZABETH — In addition to the presidential race, a $94.7 million school project was a main attraction for Cape Elizabeth voters on Election Day.

Michael and Kate Woodworth, both 40 and medical researchers for the federal government, brought their 5- and 6-year-old children to the polls. They moved to town in 2022 and said they are still trying to find their place in local political and social circles.

"I was surprised there was so much opposition to the school project," Michael Woodworth said as his wife signed a petition to make it easier for a loved one or the court to remove guns from someone in crisis. "I'm not sure how many young voters we have: are we a majority or a vocal minority? I guess well find out."

When asked about their presidential choice, Woodworth noted they were both doctors who worked for the federal government. When asked if that meant they were voting for Harris, Woodworth looked both ways, nodded, and then hurried off so his children made it home in time to make it on the school bus. — Penelope Overton, Portland Press Herald

YARMOUTH — Chloe Cady, 18, voted for the first time on Tuesday at Yarmouth High School.

Her classes were all being held online Tuesday so the city could use the school gym as a polling place. Polling staff at Yarmouth High School said they had received roughly 1,100 ballots by 10 a.m.

"It feels urgent," said Cady of the election. "It feels like I'm voting for democracy."

Cady and her mother, Ellen Cady, 52, both voted for Harris. They cited abortion and women's rights as one of the key issues behind their decision, and said they felt Harris was the least divisive candidate. Ellen Cady said this election has felt more chaotic than others.

"It's been hard at times to kind of quell these feelings," she said.

Frank Gianattasio, 65, also voted for Harris. "I never agreed with Roe v. Wade, but I didn't like having the rug pulled out," said Gianattasio. "I think if you go too far, you're going to put women at risk." — Emily Allen, Portland Press Herald

The attorneys general from 47 states, including Maine, and three U.S. territories are urging people to remain peaceful and to preemptively "condemn any acts of violence related to the results (of the presidential election)."

The statement, released Tuesday, was signed by chief prosecutors from every U.S. state except Indiana, Montana and Texas. Attorneys general from the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands also signed.

"We call upon every American to vote, participate in civil discourse and, above all, respect the integrity of the democratic process," they wrote. "Violence has no place in the democratic process; we will exercise our authority to enforce the law against any illegal acts that threaten it."

Fears of election violence persist nearly four years after Trump supporters rioted at the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to stop the election certification. Rather than condemning the violence during his campaign, Trump has celebrated the rioters, pledging to pardon them and featuring a recorded chorus of prisoners in jail for their roles in the Jan. 6 attack singing the national anthem. — Associated Press

PORTLAND — There were lines out the door at East End Community School in Portland just before 10 a.m. Some voters said it took 45 minutes to an hour before they got into the gymnasium to cast their ballots.

Voters in Maine's largest city will decide a two-way race for at at-large seat on the school board, as well as several seats on the Portland City Council. A referendum on the ballot could also scale back the rule requiring employers to pay workers at least 1.5 times the minimum wage during states of emergency. — Drew Johnson, Leader / Sentry

SIDNEY — A steady stream of voters trekked in and out of the James H. Bean School on Middle Road on Tuesday, where 185 people had cast ballots by 9:15 a.m.

First-time voter Haileigh Miller, 19, received applause as she registered. Later, she said she voted for Donald Trump.

"He aligns with my morals," Miller said. "He's the best candidate. Going into my 20s, I'm starting to become an adult. Hopefully, I'll be able to live on my own. Right now, I can't afford to."

Miller was with her mother, Melissa Moulton, 48, who said she also voted for Trump.

"We need to make sure that we're able to afford our lives here," Moulton said.

Both Miller and Moulton said they voted for Austin Theriault for the 2nd Congressional District, saying he is the best candidate and they share similar beliefs.

Sidney Town Clerk Sara Morey said that 1,604 voters had returned absentee ballots as of Monday night. The town has 3,919 registered voters and at the last census, the population was about 5,000. The voting location was changed from the town office to the school because of the large turnout expected, she said.

"To put it in perspective, we had less than 400 total voters for the (June) primary," she said. — Amy Calder, Morning Sentinel

SOUTH PORTLAND — Both parking lots at the South Portland Community Center were filled by 8:30 a.m. Tuesday — 90 minutes after polls opened. Dozens of cars were double-parked in the lots. More than 450 people had already voted, said District Four Warden John Hartford, and hundreds more were waiting in line.

Hartford said the early turnout was impressive, considering that an estimated 35% of the city's residents had already voted early.

"This turnout looks closer to what we had in 2016," said Hartford, seconds after helping a young man with his ballot. "It's exciting to see."

Hartford said a few voters had made mistakes on their ballots and were issued new ones. There are two state ballots this year, with questions on both sides, and there is ranked-choice voting in some races.

Hundreds of people had also showed up early Tuesday at the community center to register to vote, said John McCall, a retired minister and one of volunteers helping people register. Some were first-time voters, while others were people who have recently moved. McCall and the other volunteers said the majority of people did not register with a party.

Emmerson Madsen, 20, voted Tuesday in their first presidential election. Madsen, a media studies student at Southern Maine Community College, said LGBTQ+ rights and civil rights were the issues primarily motivating them to the polls. They registered as a Democrat and voted for Harris.

"It's exciting but also a little weird, because it's such a big deal," Madsen said about voting for president for the first time.

Shaun Madsen, 64, is also a registered Democrat and voted for Harris. She said women's rights, especially the right to an abortion, were the biggest reasons why.

"The incoming president could have the ability to name one or two justices, so I think we need to vote for a good future," said Madsen, who works as a med tech at The Cedars in Portland. — Ray Routhier, Portland Press Herald

BRUNSWICK — A robust stream of voters moved in and out of Brunswick Junior High and the former Coffin Elementary School next door shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Among those out early were parents with young children, retirees and several Bowdoin College students.

"I wanted to vote in Maine and in person. I thought it would be a good experience," said Meghan Zitzmann, a Bowdoin senior from Barrington, Rhode Island, voting in her first presidential election. "I don't have any prediction but I'm hoping (Vice President Kamala) Harris is going to win."

Also voting early Tuesday was U.S. Sen. Angus King, the independent seeking his third term.

"This is the castle of democracy," King said shortly after he cast his ballot. "This is where we can make decisions, where we the people actually have the power."

King is heavily favored against his opponents — Republican Demi Kouzounas, Democrat David Costello and independent Jason Cherry — but said he doesn't take anything for granted.

"I feel OK, but I never count anything until they are done," he said. "I mean, I was just telling my daughter I feel like we've done everything we could, we didn't coast, we took it seriously and so I'm looking for a good result."

King said he had mixed feelings about seeing his name on the ballot for likely the last time. He turned 80 this year and has said this would be his final campaign.

"Yeah, because it is something that I've done off and on for quite a while and it's sort of a bittersweet moment," he said. "But I've still got six years if I'm successful today so don't retire me too prematurely." — Eric Russell, Portland Press Herald

OAKLAND — By 8 a.m. Tuesday, 163 out of 5,053 registered voters had cast ballots at the fire station, according to Town Clerk Jan Porter. Another 2,000 had voted absentee.

Richard Principato, 58, said as he left the polls that he voted for former President Donald Trump for several reasons.

"The biggest thing is the economy, the immigration and our military," Principato said. "The military loves him a lot better than Kamala."

Principato said he also voted for Austin Theriault in the race for 2nd Congressional District.

"Jared Golden, he always voted Democratically all the way," he said. — Amy Calder, Morning Sentinel

GARDINER — Peggy Williams was first in line to vote in Gardiner, where about 80 people were lined up when the polls opened. The early birds said they wanted to cast their ballot before going to work.

She arrived around 7:30 a.m. Williams said voting is an important part of our freedoms and planned to cast her ballot for Kamala Harris "to protect our country from tyranny."

Next in line behind her, Kevin May also came in around 7:30 a.m. to vote before going to work at the shipyard in Kittery. He said he planned to vote for Harris, in part because he has two nieces and he's concerned about abortion rights if Trump were to win.

Just behind May, third in line, Pete Hersom was voting for Trump because, he said, Democrats have damaged the country and the economy. — Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal

CHINA — As polls opened at 7 a.m. in the Kennebec County town of China, a line of about 50 voters formed to get into the municipal portable building.

Town Manager Becky Hapgood, wearing a fluorescent vest, helped direct traffic in the parking lot as the line grew and the town's 13 election workers helped a steady stream of arriving voters.

"The amount of work the town clerk and deputy clerks put in, in the course of preparing for an election, is phenomenal," said Hapgood, who served as China's town clerk for more than two decades. "We're focused on voter integrity. We just want people to come vote."

The town, which has nearly 3,000 registered voters, would likely see around 85% voter turnout as it has in past presidential elections, Hapgood said. She said the town had received about 1,300 absentee ballots.

The morning was not without hiccups. Around 7:30 a.m., a clerk raced outside to catch a woman who had just voted — the ballot machine indicated she had mistakenly voted for too many candidates in one race. The woman elected to cast the ballot anyway instead of coming back later to vote again.

— Scott Monroe, Morning Sentinel

WASHINGTON — Polls opened Tuesday across the nation and Americans cast ballots in the 2024 presidential election.

In a deeply divided nation, the election is a true toss-up between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump.

We know there are seven battleground states that will decide the outcome, barring a major surprise.

But major questions persist about the timing of the results, the makeup of the electorate, the influx of misinformation — even the possibility of political violence. At the same time, both sides are prepared for a protracted legal battle that could complicate things further. — Associated Press — Read the full story here

SOUTH PORTLAND — A long line of voters was already stretching from the front entrance of the Stewart Morrill American Legion Post when poll workers opened the doors at 6:58 a.m. to begin welcoming people inside.

Olivia and Henry Kean were waiting toward the back of the line. The couple is united on most issues, they said, including reproductive rights and climate change. They said they are voting for Vice President Kamala Harris.

But they're also eager to cast their ballots in a number of state referendum questions, including one to fund restoration work on trails and funding for research and development projects. They're somewhat divided on Question 5 for a new flag.

"I just don't care," Olivia Kean, 30, said with a laugh.

Henry Kean, 32, was torn. He likes the new design, he said, and they even fly an Old Pine flag in their yard, but he would miss seeing the state seal on the current flag.

"Honestly, I think it will be a game-time decision," he said.

Crystal Farrington, 31, was most passionate about the presidential race. She is also voting for Harris. She said tensions have been high, and she's dealing more with election talk in her personal life, including at work and on social media. She worries some people dismiss her as soon as she says she's voting Harris, and that the animosity might carry over into the aftermath of the election.

"I just hope that this is a safe area for the rest of the week," she said. "I'm very worried about what happens next." — Emily Allen, Portland Press Herald

WATERVILLE — Heidi Mitchell walked out of the polling place at Thomas College just after 7 a.m. Tuesday, having been one of the first people to vote.

"I voted for Kamala because I want somebody to work for us, the people of America, not the corporate America," said Mitchell, 53.

She was one of about 50 voters lined up to vote around 6:45 am.

Longtime election warden Roland Hallee said officials were expecting a voter turnout of about 80% of the approximate 10,000 registered Waterville voters, which is more than the typical 70% for a presidential election. He said 3,700 had voted by absentee ballot. Security this year is tighter than ever before.

"We have emergency plans in place," Hallee said.

Moriah Davis, 26, was carrying her 1-year-old daughter, Penelope, as she exited the polls.

"I voted for Harris," she said. "First of all, I love all of her policies. She's not racist or xenophobic."

Davis added that Harris plans to tax the rich and protect people's reproductive rights, which is important for both her family and her daughter.

"I know she's got my back," Davis said of Harris. — Amy Calder, Morning Sentinel

WASHINGTON — A presidential campaign marked by upheaval and rancor approached its finale on Election Day as Americans decided whether to send Donald Trump back to the White House or elevate Kamala Harris to the Oval Office.

Polls opened across the nation Tuesday morning as voters faced a stark choice between two candidates who have offered drastically different temperaments and visions for the world's largest economy and dominant military power.

Harris, the Democratic vice president, stands to be the first female president if elected. She has promised to work across the aisle to tackle economic worries and other issues without radically departing from the course set by President Joe Biden. Trump, the Republican former president, has vowed to replace thousands of federal workers with loyalists, impose sweeping tariffs on allies and foes alike, and stage the largest deportation operation in U.S. history.

Harris and Trump entered Election Day focused on seven battleground states, five of them carried by Trump in 2016 before flipping to Biden in 2020: the "blue wall" of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin as well as Arizona and Georgia. Nevada and North Carolina, which Democrats and Republicans respectively carried in the last two elections, also were closely contested. — Associated Press — Read the full story here

BUXTON — It was dark and raining when the doors to town hall opened a few minutes before 6 a.m., but the two dozen voters already in line were undeterred.

These voters were among the first in Maine to cast their ballots on Election Day, and many in line said they wouldn't have it any other way. Buxton is among the handful of towns statewide that open early, a tradition that can be traced to the community's farming roots.

"I like to be one of the first ones to vote," Michael Valliere, a 56-year-old machinist, said as he picked up an "I Voted" sticker on his way out of the building.

Town Clerk John Myers, who is working his tenth presidential election, wasn't surprised by the early morning turnout of folks who like to cast their ballots in person before heading to work or school.

Before Election Day, 39% of the town's 7,200 registered voters voted by absentee ballot. More than 400 people registered to vote in the past month, Myers said.

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows watched from the side as dozens of voters picked up their ballots. She said she's excited about the turnout — more than 1 in 3 Mainers have already voted — and would like to see Maine once again have the highest turnout.

Among the early morning voters in Buxton were first-time voters who came to town hall with their mothers.

Caitlyn Paquette, 26, waited in the rain with her mother, Lisa Paquette, 54.

"It's a huge, huge election," Caitlyn Paquette said. "I feel like it's good vs. evil at this point."

On the other side of the building, Sarah Catalano waited for her daughter, 19-year-old Gwen Catalano, to feed her ballot into the counting machine.

"It's amazing to vote with my daughter," she said, her eyes filling with tears. "You wait 19 years for this." — Gillian Graham, Press Herald

In a presidential election that appears to be incredibly close, it was fitting that the first votes cast on Election Day were evenly split, with three for Donald Trump and three for Kamala Harris.

The tiny New Hampshire resort town of Dixville Notch has a tradition dating back to 1960 of being the first in the nation to complete in-person voting. The town's six voters began casting their ballots on the stroke of midnight Tuesday and the vote count was complete 15 minutes later.

In an election where tensions have run high, the setting in Dixville Notch couldn't have been more congenial. Voting took place in the living room of the Tillotson House, with cookies and coffee and a couple of very friendly dogs. — Associated Press

Check back here for live updates throughout the day.

Copy the Story Link