Polls are set to open at various locations in New Hampshire in just about 20 minutes, marking the start of the 2024 election cycle. The race for the presidency begins as voters in this key state head to the polls to cast their ballots. Already, in the small town of Dixville Notch, ballots have been cast, with six independent voters unanimously supporting Nikki Haley. It's an early indication of voter sentiment, although the sample size is very small.
Both Haley and former President Donald Trump have been making their final pitches to secure support from Republican voters. The future of the Republican Party is at stake, as these candidates seek to rally their base. With 22 GOP delegates up for grabs in today's race, the competition is fierce as hundreds of thousands of voters prepare to make their pick for the presidency.
On the Democratic side, however, President Joe Biden's name will not be on the ballot. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) decided to forego the primary race in New Hampshire, so Biden is absent from the official candidate list. Despite this, many Democrat voters have expressed their intention to write in the incumbent president's name. It remains to be seen how significant this write-in support for Biden will be.
New Hampshire holds a special place in the presidential primary process, as it is traditionally the first primary state. Candidates have historically fought hard to secure a victory here, using it as a launching pad for the rest of the campaign. However, without Biden's official presence on the ballot, the dynamics of the race may be different this time around.
As the polls open, the eyes of the nation will turn to the voters of New Hampshire. Their decision could shape the trajectory of the 2024 election cycle and set the tone for the rest of the country. It is a crucial moment for both parties, as they seek to gauge the enthusiasm and support of their respective bases.
Over the coming hours, as voters trickle into polling stations across the state, the race for the presidency will begin to take shape. The results from New Hampshire will provide valuable insights into the preferences and inclinations of voters at this early stage in the election process. It's just the beginning, but the outcome of these first polls is eagerly anticipated by political observers and candidates alike.
