First-in-the-Nation Primary Day!

An unseasonably warm January day and tight races for both Republicans and Democrats will likely contribute to a record-high number of voters in NH today -- they expect 500,000, which is half the population. Think about that. Half the entire population, not half of the voting public. Take into account children, and this is absolutely astounding voter turnout.

Samantha came with me to the polls today, and got several comments on her hair. Her lollipop kept her entertained enough that she survived the hour-long wait. Several campaigners were still on hand outside the polling place, as well as a news camera! The camera was gone by the time I was done, or surely he would have wanted to record the cutest voter in NH -- Samantha!

The voting culture in NH is unlike any place I have ever lived before. We all live and breathe the presidential primary here: we know all the candidates, even the obscure ones. I can tell you the platform of any major candidate. I ran into a woman from my ward holding a Mitt Romney sign outside my polling place. The Kucinich guy drove from NY to be here. Here in NH, you can even register with a party (Democrat or Republican) the day of the voting, and then un-register (going back to being an independent, which accounts for 42% of NH voters) before you even leave the polling place.

I even wish I had a TV, just for today, so I could watch the polling results come in live. I'd keep the TV on all evening until the results were final, and watch with baited breath as if it were an episode of "24".