In the New Hampshire primary, early voting results from Concord's Ward 10 show a strong showing for Nikki Haley, with 739 votes, compared to Donald Trump's 467 votes. It is worth noting that it is relatively easy to get on the ballot in New Hampshire, resulting in multiple unfamiliar names being included. Despite this, Haley's main challenge was to gather anti-Trump votes, which she seemed to achieve in this ward. The race also witnessed a few votes for Mike Pence, Chris Christie, and Vivek Ramaswamy, which could have potentially favored Trump.
Moving to Manchester's Ward 6, where the last vote was cast, the moderator, Louise Gosling, printed out the tape from the voting machine and proceeded to announce the results. However, it took some time to resolve issues with signing the tape to ensure its authenticity. The preliminary numbers are provided, with a total of 454 write-in ballots recorded. The vote tally revealed various names, including those of several Republicans. Noteworthy tallies include 1,169 votes for Donald J. Trump and 849 votes for Nikki Haley, along with a significant number of write-ins for other candidates.
Analyzing the results in the context of the 2016 primary, it becomes apparent that Trump had a considerable advantage in Manchester, winning by approximately 20 percentage points. Therefore, Haley's performance in comparison to Trump in this city is a crucial factor to consider. Additionally, the Republican voter turnout in Manchester is usually high, and anything exceeding the previous record of approximately 2,060 votes would signal a new milestone.
Looking back at the primary, it is interesting to examine the contrast between two key regions. In Concord, where Haley outperformed Trump, it represents a more moderate area where her support is expected. Conversely, Manchester, with its blue-collar base, leans more towards Trump. As more precincts report their results, it will become apparent whether Haley can narrow the voting gap in Manchester to a competitive margin.
It is worth noting the significance of having on-the-ground reporters to provide real-time updates and unofficial results. They have been in direct contact with election officials, capturing and sharing results before they are officially processed. These initial numbers offer valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of the primary, providing a glimpse of Haley's early gains in some precincts.
As the night progresses, the focus will shift to various cities and towns across New Hampshire, with over 260 locations yet to report their counts. Haley's success in areas like Keene, along the southern part of the state, as well as her performance in Hanover and areas north of Conway, will be important measures of her strength against Trump and his 2016 performance. However, it is essential to remember that these are still early counts, and the final outcome remains uncertain.
