A lifelong Republican in N.H., who will be likely first voter on Election Day, backs Biden
Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, continues its tradition of first in the nation voting at midnight Tuesday.
No one can wholly predict the results of Tuesday’s election, but we at least have an idea of what the first vote in the nation on Election Day might be: A lifelong Republican for Joe Biden.
Les Otten is one of five registered voters in Dixville Notch, the tiny township in northern New Hampshire known for its 60-year tradition of voting just after midnight on Election Day.
Otten, the onetime ski resort magnate and former Red Sox minority partner, elaborated on his endorsement in a video Monday evening.
Lifelong #Republican Les Otten to Cast First Vote at Midnight in Dixville Notch for #Democrat @JoeBiden #ElectionDay #Election2020 #NHpolitics # pic.twitter.com/YakXzDMytr
— Dixville Vote (@DixvilleVote) November 2, 2020
“It’s time to rebuild the heart of what makes this a great country,” Otten said. “That starts with electing leaders of character who are truthful and will put the country’s welfare ahead of all else, and who will show respect for all people regardless of their gender, their race, their religion, or their political beliefs.
“My vote today is meant to send a message to my fellow Republicans that our party can find its way back. It’s time to return to the values a conservative party has held historically dear.”
As soon as the clock strikes midnight, voters in #DixvilleNotch will fill the historic ballot box with their votes for the 2020 General Election. #midnightvote #NHpolitics #FITN #ElectionDay #DixvilleVote #Election2020 pic.twitter.com/TuHG9ejTIn
— Dixville Vote (@DixvilleVote) November 2, 2020
Otten is the developer of the Balsams, the shuttered hotel and ski resort in Dixville Notch where the practice of midnight voting began. With an ever-dwindling population, the village almost lost its electoral tradition this year because New Hampshire law requires five town officials to oversee an election.
Otten became Dixville Notch’s fifth resident ahead of the first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary, where he was also the first person to vote. He voted for former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg.
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