Primary primer: New Hampshire’s ‘First in the nation’ tradition
As New Hampshire voters head to the polls for the first primary in the 2016 US presidential election tonight starting at midnight, RT brings you this handy primary primer for those who are still in a thick New England fog when it comes to how it all works.
CAUCUS vs PRIMARY
New Hampshire's primary is different to Iowa’s Democratic caucus as it involves secret voting in a booth, just like most ordinary elections.
The delegates chosen will serve at the national conventions this July where the nominee is officially selected.
A primary is organized by the state board of elections, as opposed to the parties themselves.
READ MORE: Caucuses are awesome: Iowa’s unique process explained with Lego
In New Hampshire, each town sets its own times to vote.
Three towns will vote just after midnight on Tuesday morning - Dixville Notch, Hart's Location, and Millsfield.
Other areas normally begin voting at 7 a.m.
Flenders are on board. RT @TheFix: Voting starts in 16 hours in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire. http://t.co/lfK6OhwH
— Joshua Lyman (@joshualyman) November 5, 2012
@Kfroehlich22 "New Hampshire where their vote is the most sacred thing they have to give". @joshualyman
— Ben Rodriguez (@BenRodriguez413) June 14, 2013
New Hampshire voters may deliver a record turnout with NH Secretary of State Bill Gardner predicting 550,000 citizens heading to the polls.
A LOOK AT THE POLLS
Unlike the tight race in Iowa, polls in New Hampshire show a big lead for the two front-runners.
The latest polling aggregated by Real Clear Politics reveals Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is leading by a range of 10-23 points against his main opponent, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
On the Republican side, the man who took second place in Iowa, billionaire Donald Trump, is leading by a range of 14-22 points with Iowa winner Ted Cruz, Ohio governor John Kasich, Florida senator Marco Rubio, and former Florida governor Jeb Bush in a battle for second.
" @donnatella_moss & @joshualyman Are You Guys Hauled Up In A B&B Wearing #NewHampshire Maple Syrup Reading The Poll Numbers? "
— Lydia (@LitLat) February 4, 2016
CANDIDATES OUT AND ABOUT
"New Hampshire is about retail politics. People here won't vote for you until you've had coffee in their house 5 times." ~@joshualyman#FITN
— Rachel Dakarian (@Rachel_Dakarian) January 10, 2012
This West Wing episode exemplifies the kind of retail politics and micro-issues the candidates face on the campaign trail.
.@joshualyman is you see the real deal in New Hampshire will you let me know?
— Robin (@robinjwalker) February 4, 2016
Here now, in alphabetical order, are some highlights from their final weekend of pounding the pavements (and dirt roads) of New Hampshire.
Jeb Bush
Big overflow crowd for Jeb Bush in Bedford, New Hampshire this morning pic.twitter.com/wwqJXq1VXT
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) February 6, 2016
Thank you, Bedford.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) February 6, 2016
Join me tomorrow in Salem & Nashua: https://t.co/gnYEYWaK02pic.twitter.com/WBiMYE6XmN
Ben Carson
Great to see so many wonderful folks on the trail in #FITN New Hampshire! Looking forward to a good debate tonight. pic.twitter.com/JxVojFCiZ1
— Dr. Ben Carson (@RealBenCarson) February 6, 2016
When has the United States ever not sent people to help our own people? That is not who we are.https://t.co/0zh0Q680Rr
— Dr. Ben Carson (@RealBenCarson) February 7, 2016
Chris Christie
#Christie2016#FITNpic.twitter.com/YnhFpu23Wn
— Chris Christie (@ChrisChristie) February 6, 2016
Great to be back in Sandown and see all of our #Christie2016 supporters. #FITNpic.twitter.com/dQXMlkmLZU
— Chris Christie (@ChrisChristie) February 5, 2016
Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton stops by Belmont Hall diner in Manchester, New Hampshire pic.twitter.com/YZoR7VQkIF
— Monica Alba (@AlbaMonica) February 6, 2016
Clinton is in Michigan on Sunday, but husband Bill has been campaigning for her.
Jim @Clyburn was right! It was great being at @AllenUniv today! Thanks for having me. pic.twitter.com/atX8ddnrjT
— Bill Clinton (@billclinton) February 4, 2016
Ted Cruz
Salem, NH, bring your friends, family and neighbors to #ChooseCruz on 2/9! https://t.co/ATtFg7R2my#fitn#nhpoliticspic.twitter.com/LMag9VwojF
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) February 6, 2016
Ted Cruz makes a play for Rand Paul's voters in New Hampshire https://t.co/QK18PguROepic.twitter.com/tinRJTYM5h
— Huffington Post (@HuffingtonPost) February 6, 2016
Carly Fiorina
Rousing reception here in Portsmouth. It’s great to be back in New Hampshire. pic.twitter.com/fsgW9oqJiS
— Carly Fiorina (@CarlyFiorina) February 3, 2016
.@CarlyFiorina: "We don’t need polls when we have votes and delegates" https://t.co/6idbYvXygT | Getty pic.twitter.com/GpecEVWvyL
— POLITICO (@politico) February 6, 2016
John Kasich
Our volunteers are out in full force in New Hampshire for @JohnKasich this weekend! Thank you for your hard work! pic.twitter.com/7nqTR29Hv2
— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) February 6, 2016
Here's some more Kasich vs. press snowball fight. pic.twitter.com/6eqVqNNVjC
— Teddy Schleifer (@teddyschleifer) February 5, 2016
Marco Rubio
Matt is thrilled 'I just met the next President!' @marcorubio#NHPrimary#nhpoliticspic.twitter.com/qhDlAqJeQs
— Raleen Gagnon (@CiC_Raleen) February 4, 2016
Just finished up our final walkthrough for tonight's #GOPDebate! Make sure to tune into ABC at 8 PM ET. pic.twitter.com/YMnW4SEh4q
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 6, 2016
Bernie Sanders
Today this group of New Yorkers is headed to New Hampshire to Get out the Vote! Solidarity is a verb. #FeelTheBernpic.twitter.com/DBYdlIVHxy
— People For Bernie (@People4Bernie) February 6, 2016
Donald Trump
It's not a Trump rally until someone gets tossed out pic.twitter.com/noM1MVkjWS
— Charlie Mahtesian (@PoliticoCharlie) February 7, 2016
In New Hampshire, Donald Trump's campaign is thinking small https://t.co/nxmCoza0sIpic.twitter.com/KgfePPue8z
— Bloomberg Business (@business) February 6, 2016
