Election Day Blog: High Turnout, Lines At Polls Across New Hampshire

Bookmark this story and check back throughout the day for news and photos from the polls, New Hampshire voter voices, and more.

After 7 p.m., click here for our live Election Night Live Blog.

Tune in to NHPR on air or online for our live election coverage, beginning at 8 P.M.

Voter Resources:

• Where's my polling place? Click here to search
• How to register to vote at the polls on Election Day (via N.H. Secretary of State)
• NHPR voter's guide to the major races
• Real-time election results (Check after 8 PM EST)

3:40 p.m.:

3:30 p.m.:

2:45 p.m.:

At the Ledge Street School in Nashua, Emily Corwin spoke with John Melecio, who was at the polls with his six year-old son.

"A couple, three months have been rough but we gotta come out here and vote because if you don't vote you don't count."  

Credit Emily Corwin for NHPR

Steve Morel says "everything" is at stake this election, especially "our kids' future." 

Credit Emily Corwin for NHPR

Morel showed up with his whole family, two of whom are pictured. "I voted for Gary Johnson," he says, because he didn't like either mainstream candidate.  

2:00 p.m.:

1:30 p.m.:

NHPR's Jason moon spoke to voters in Stratham. Take a listen: 

12:34 p.m.:

Photographer Kate Harper visited the polls in Londonderry, where she spotted Republican state rep. (and prominent Trump Supporter) Al Baldasaro greeting voters.

Credit Kate Harper for NHPR

12:15 p.m.: 

Emily Corwin is in Nashua's Ward 3. First-time voter Larissa Lewis brought her friend Sylvie Wanjiru along, and after she voted, she said she planned to head to Wanjiru's polling place. 

Credit Emily Corwin for NHPR

"It feels good. Oh my gosh people. We got to go out and vote. It's so scary," she says.

"I am a Hillary supporter. I don't support her fully, but I would rather her than the idiot. That guy. Dump Trump!"

Credit Emily Corwin for NHPR

Three and a half year old Avery brought her stuffed armadillo to the polls with her mom, Kirsten Snyder. Snyder said she has mixed feelings today, that no matter who she voted for, people could call her "an idiot."

"I did a write in candidate for the first time ever, and I feel good about that." She says  she voted for Evan McMullin, a conservative independent candidate.

12:09 p.m.:

NHPR's Jason Moon is reporting from the Seacoast region. You can follow Jason on Twitter right here.

11:42:

NHPR's Paige Sutherland reports that Manchester's Ward 11 has already surpassed primary voting numbers with 1,500 votes cast. 

11:32:  

Sheryl Rich-Kern reports that turnout is also heavy in Milford. This morning, a traffic cop directed a long line of cars into overflow parking at the town’s only polling station.

New Hampshire might be a deciding state, but voters like Kathy Carson are not so definitive.

"I don’t think I came to a final decision until a couple of hours ago," she says.

Credit Sheryl Rich-Kern for NHPR

And Shirley Febonio jokes that months and months of political rancor is a detriment to her health.

"I went for my checkup yesterday and talked to my doctor about how stressed I was about this election."

But despite campaign fatigue, voter Kelly Conrad is grateful for the Democratic process.

"We’re going to have our voices heard today.

SRK: "Did you think the country will come together after today?"

"The country has no choice but to rally," Conrad says. "I mean that’s what we have do."

And voters like Febonio echoed what was probably the most popular mantra of the morning.

"I’ll be glad to have it over. That’s for sure."

11:16 a.m.:

Photographer Allegra Boverman has returned to the polls in Hollis, where voting hasn't slowed down from the morning's rush. According to election officials, well over 2,000 voters had already turned out there.

Credit Allegra Boverman for NHPR

 11:09 a.m.:

NHPR's Todd Bookman is talking with voters in Peterborough. He took this photo of a voter's lapel pin. You can follow Todd on Twitter right here.  

11:00 a.m.:

Paige Sutherland is checking in with voters at Manchester Ward 1. She spoke with Moneim Fadle, who says although he doesn't fully support Hillary Clinton, he couldn't cast a vote for Donald Trump because his 
policies are "crazy."

Credit Paige Sutherland for NHPR

Follow Paige Sutherland on Twitter right here.  

10:39 a.m.:

More from Manchester's Ward 4, where Emily Corwin has been checking in with voters as they exit the polls. 

“I went to the Trump rally last night. I’m voting for Hillary, I really hope she wins,” voter Lisa Dugas said. 

EC: Why did you go to the Trump rally?

“To hold signs!”

Credit Emily Corwin for NHPR

Brett Schuschereba says he voted for Hillary Clinton, for his 4 year old daughter.

“It feels good to vote.  When I was younger I wasn’t participating as much. Now that I’m older I’m participating more.” “I have a four and a half year old daughter. Hopefully, you know, things look bright for her.”  

Credit Emily Corwin for NHPR

10:28 a.m.:

Things were busy Tuesday morning in Manchester's Ward 4. Emily Corwin spoke with voters there as they exited the polls at the McDonough Elementary School:

Credit Lourdes Maldonado of Hooksett spoke with NHPR's Emily Corwin

 10:19 a.m.:

"Right, wrong or indifferent, it's important" to vote, Trump Supporter Joseph Hickey told Casey McDermott. "He's not a politician, he's a businessman...Let's see what he does, if he can straighten it out."

10:00 a.m.:

"Can I use a bad word?" voter Elana Marcotte told NHPR's Casey McDermott. Listen to find out why she chose to write in Jeb Bush for President. You can follow Casey on Twitter right here. 

9:52 a.m.:

9:45 a.m.:

9:43 a.m.:

Photojournalist Allegra Boverman spoke with the election workers in Hollis shortly after 8 a.m.. As of that time, 650 residents had voted, with 720 absentee ballots already cast. This represents roughly 20% of the town, according to officials. 

Credit Allegra Boverman for NHPR

 9:25 a.m.:

"Incredible."

NHPR's Casey McDermott spoke with  Manchester Ward 3 Moderator Grace Athias about turnout at the polls there. Take a listen:

9:13 a.m.:

Democratic Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster cast her vote at the polls in her home town of Hopkinton, where she told NHPR that she had high hopes for today, especially after voting for a woman candidate in the presidential race.

Listen to what Kuster had to say about casting that vote, and what it's going to be like working across the aisle after a contentious election season, should she win.

8:06 a.m.: 

Polls are open across New Hampshire for today’s presidential election.

At Concord’s Ward 7, a line of more than 150 people wrapped around the building before doors opened at 7 a.m.

Credit Michael Brindley for NHPR

Allison Davis is fourth in line on this chilly Election Day morning, and she’s here to cast her vote for Hillary Clinton.

She’s got a coffee in one hand, and her book in the other.

"Room, by Emma Donahue,” she says, holding the book up. “I just started it. But yeah, I’m just really excited to vote for her. I’ve been waiting for this my whole life.”

Just down the line is Nate Wideman. He’s wearing his red Make America Great Again hat and says he came out to vote for Donald Trump.

“He’s going to cut taxes. He’s going to build a wall. He’s going to stop the Syrians from coming in. He’s going to repeal Obamacare.”

While there are clearly differing political views among those in line, many agree the stakes of election inspired them to come out early.

“Because our vote really counts this time. Our future’s at stake,” says Melanie Doiron. “I have to do my voting before I go to work so I can feel confident that it’s already been done. If it was a snowstorm I’d still be here.”

- Michael Brindley

Credit Michael Brindley for NHPR

  6:40 am:

You can follow NHPR on Twitter all day right here. 

 6:04 a.m.: 

Hillary Clinton is off to a very early lead in the 2016 presidential election, winning over the voters of Dixville, New Hampshire, by a 4-2 margin over Donald Trump.

Polls in the tiny New Hampshire towns of Dixville, Hart's Location and Millsfield opened just after midnight Tuesday and closed as soon as everyone had voted. These die-hard voters are proud to have the first word on the big vote.

While Clinton won half the Dixville votes, Libertarian Gary Johnson took one and 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney got a write-in vote.

Under New Hampshire state law, communities with fewer than 100 voters can get permission to open their polls at midnight and close them as soon as all registered voters have cast their ballots.

- ASSOCIATED PRESS   

6:00 a.m.:

Polls are open across New Hampshire for the 2016 general elections.

Voters across the state will decide the races for New Hampshire's presidential electoral votes, Governor, the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Kelly Ayotte, the state's two U.S. House seats, as well as the state senate, house, and local races all the way down the ballot.