Editor's note: Digital reporter Matt Fortin is spending Monday and Tuesday in New Hampshire, chronicling the events leading up to Tuesday's presidential primary election and primary day itself. You can follow along with his travels below.
Tuesday, Jan. 23: Primary Day
6:45 p.m.: The last voters are making their way to their polling locations in New Hampshire.
Amanda Soucy brought her friend Annette Smith her precinct, Dr. Norman W Crisp Elementary School in Nashua, at around 6:30 p.m.
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"I had to run around errands today, but I was in earlier to vote, and I brought her in to vote -- she had to be here!"
Smith said the process was a "piece of cake."
They both cast ballots for Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota, a Democrat. They both feel that homelessness and the opioid crisis are the biggest issues facing New Hampshire.
"He's the best guy," Smith said as they exited the elementary school.
Election officials at the precinct said things were going smoothly as they looked ahead to 7 p.m., when they said there could be a last minute rush of people trying to get in their ballots.
Follow along our coverage of the results of Tuesday's primaries here.
4:45 p.m.: With the work day just about to wrap up for many, Concord Ward 6 moderator Lydea Irwin is expecting a burst of voters to come through her doors at Christ the King Parish Hall on South Main Street.
So far, Irwin reports consistent traffic throughout the day after a rush first thing in the morning. As of this blog post, over 800 ballots had been cast at this polling location.
"Some people are super excited," Irwin said. "We've had a few first time voters, which is always a good time, we always cheer them when they cast their ballot because we want them to come back and vote again next time."
Voters were encouraged to grab a sticker and some candy on their way out.
This location was pretty quiet compared to the lines and crowds we saw earlier in Londonderry.
A couple of people had Trump and Biden write-in signs outside.
Irwin said that anyone who is in line by 7 p.m. will be able to vote before the polls close for the day.
1:20 p.m.: Donald Trump himself made a last-minute campaign stop at Londonderry High School, a busy polling location that turned even more hectic when the former president showed up for an unannounced visit.
Around noon, it became apparent that a high-profile figure would be making a stop, and signs began pointing to Trump when his campaign staff appeared and organized his supporters in the parking lot.
U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia showed up around 12:15 p.m. She spoke to Trump supporters, choreographed chants and started a “red wave” with the crowd.
In the meantime, all of the reporters were moved to a staging area, and a bomb-sniffing dog had to check out all of our equipment. Everyone in the parking lot – including media and supporters – had to be cleared by security.
Trump showed up in a motorcade at around 1:20 p.m., and greeted his supporters. He spoke to the news media for about 10 minutes.
“This is totally unannounced, nobody knew we were coming,” he said. “Nobody gets crowds like this. They want to see our country be great again, it’s very simple.”
12:15 p.m.: A crowd of Trump supporters cheered as Marjorie Taylor Greene arrived to speak with them outside Londonderry High School.
12 p.m.: There are crowds at Londonderry High School, with people lined up outside in the cold to go and cast their vote. Traffic was backed up quite a bit along Mammoth Road, and workers and police were helping people park their cars.
There was heavy campaigning going on by supporters of a number of candidates -- Trump, Biden, Haley and even Chris Christie, who dropped out of the race.
Election workers have been corralling some people campaigning outside of the designated area.
Another election worker was going in and out, helping people to register to vote who still needed to do so.
Tim Griffin was not expecting the long line, but wanted to show his support for Nikki Haley.
He believes the economy is a big issue for New Hampshire this election year.
"A lot of homelessness in Manchester," he said. "I also think a lot of people, there are a lot of jobs out there but people aren't looking for jobs."
As for what he likes about Haley?
"Just not Trump," he said.
10:30 a.m.: New Hampshire voters are descending on the polls on Tuesday, and I’m spending another day here bringing you the sights and sounds of the first in the nation primary.
I first stopped at the Dr. Lewis F. Soule School in Salem, where Assistant Moderator Bernie W. Campbell described turnout so far as steady.
“We were very busy this morning when we opened, but then it’s held off a little bit,” he said. “But we’ve always had people in there, sometimes we have a line and sometimes we don’t, but it’s been very steady.”
This is his second election working as an assistant moderator. He’s working alongside his father – Bernie H. Campbell – who’s done this since 1986.
“We get along great,” the younger Campbell said.
His father reported a turnout of 375 voters during the first three hours, or 10.8% of the precinct.
PHOTOS: NH residents vote, candidates stump in first-in-the-nation primary
Outside of the polling location, two people were standing with Trump signs to show their support for the republican.
“We won’t have a country unless Trump is back in,” Gordon Erickson said.
On the street corner, a group of three women from Massachusetts were holding signs encouraging voters to write in Joe Biden.
“I’ve got two daughters, so that’s one of the reasons I’m coming out,” Jennifer Jones said. “Democracy is on the ballot. Women’s healthcare is on the ballot.”
Monday, Jan. 22
11 p.m.: Lines were out the door at the Margate Resort in Laconia, New Hampshire, as Donald Trump took the stage to hold a rally late Monday night.
In typical form, the outside of the rally in some ways resembled a concert, with the amount merchandise that was being sold by vendor tables.
Everything from hats, to t-shirts to bumper stickers were available.
Lorie Levy was running one of the tables in a parking lot across the street. She's an independent business owner from Michigan who says she's only missed a handful of Trump's events since he started campaigning in 2015.
"He exemplifies the American dream, he exemplifies the forgotten man and woman, he exemplifies the person that just doesn’t give up, and he doesn’t give a rip about being politically correct," she said.
In the line outside of the rally, a group prayer broke out, with supporters praying that Trump becomes president once again. There was tight security at the door, with Secret Service officers ushering guests through metal detectors on the way into the resort.
Trump spoke at length during the rally, which reached capacity and had another viewing room that was also filled up. His remarks went on much longer than his son's earlier in the day or Haley's at her Salem event.
"Our movement is pro-borders, pro-jobs, pro-freedom... 100 percent pro-American," Trump said. "We are the party of common sense."
Andrea Howard, from Florida, traveled to Iowa and now New Hampshire to support the former president in his latest bid for the White House.
"I loved the four years we had under Mr. Trump, everything -- economy, security, borders, you name it," she said.
New Hampshire voter Cindy Young agreed.
"He's delivered on all his promises," she said. "I think Mr. Trump is the best president this nation ever had."
The rally didn't go without drama, though. Several people with climate change awareness group Sunrise Movement were removed for interrupting Trump's speech.
"We are fighting for a Green New Deal to transform our society and make sure the necessary action is taken to address the climate crisis," Virginia He said, who is a student at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
7:35 p.m.: Nikki Haley gave remarks to a packed house at the Artisan Hotel in Salem, New Hampshire, Monday night, where hundreds of supporters gathered to hear the former South Carolina governor one day before primary day.
Haley was introduced by New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, and walked out to cheers with "Eye of the Tiger" blasting.
The ballroom where Haley spoke reached capacity, and dozens had to watch her on a screen from the next room.
The former U.N. Ambassador spoke on a variety of topics, including the threat posed by China, her concerns about the education system and her desire to cut federal spending.
She also targeted the age of the frontrunning presidential candidates.
“Are we really going to say that we’re okay with having our options be two 80-year-olds that run for president,” Haley asked the crowd.
For some young voters, Haley’s age – 52 -- is a big draw.
Saint Anselm freshman Benjamin Harrington, a Massachusetts native, is backing Haley.
“I love old people,” Harrington said. “[But] you can’t run a country at that age.”
Patty Kiely of Bedford, New Hampshire, is an independent voter who supported Biden in 2020. She prefers Haley to Biden this time around.
“She’s change,” Kieley said. “She’s young, she’s vibrant, she’s a woman… And she’s anti-Trump -- that’s important.”
As people filtered out of the hotel following Haley’s remarks, Vermin Supreme was outside for photo ops.
Ballotpedia describes him as a political satirist, and he’s often seen wearing a boot on his head. A Rockport, Massachusetts, native, his platform revolves around absurd issues, such as mandatory toothbrushing laws and free ponies.
6:18 p.m.: A young man was just removed for asking Haley if she would marry him. To which she replied, "Will you vote for me?" And he said, "No, Trump."
5:36 p.m.: The Artisan Hotel in Salem, New Hampshire, is packed with supporters of Nikki Haley and news media ahead of her 6 p.m. event here.
The former South Carolina governor has been making rounds across the Granite State Monday.
I was told by someone at check in that the fire marshal is not allowing more people into the ballroom at this time, and I’m still hoping to get in within the half hour.
4:45 p.m.: Spotted near the Donald Trump Jr. event, a write-in Joe Biden sign!
4:39 p.m.: More than 100 supporters of former President Donald Trump turned out to the Fulchino Vineyard in Hollis, New Hampshire, Monday afternoon, to hear remarks from Donald Trump Jr.
A long line of parked cars stretched along rural Pine Hill Road in front of the winery, and many people showed up donning “Make America Great Again” hats. Trump merchandise was for sale, too.
Trump Jr. arrived shortly after 3 p.m. to cheers, and made brief remarks to news media before heading inside and delivering a speech on behalf of his father.
The former president’s son made jabs at President Joe Biden and fellow republican Nikki Haley, calling the former “basically Hillary dressed up as a conservative to Halloween.”
“She’s being propped up by the left because they want to continue the mayhem,” Trump Jr. said.
Many of Trump’s supporters believed he has strong momentum going into Tuesday’s primary.
“I really liked him talking about the importance of the grassroots efforts, talking about the importance of New Hampshire, shining a light on the false image of Nikki Haley,” Zoe Fimbel said.
Kelly Carter-Currier, of Nashua, is a registered independent and retired Lowell, Mass. schoolteacher. She said she’s been active in politics since 2000. She showed up Monday wearing a headband that said, “Proud to be an American,” and a New Hampshire license plate that said “TRUMP.”
She plans to vote for Trump on Tuesday. Big issues for her include immigration, overseas conflicts and the economy.
“I hope he can beat Biden, and we can get our life back together the way it was,” she said.
Fran Cook, of Greenville, New Hampshire, also attended to show his support for “the movement Trump has started.”
Along with immigration, Cook said the biggest issues he felt impact New Hampshire in 2024 are “high fuel prices, the cost of goods, food, fuel, energy… taxes going up, us supporting countries abroad when we allow our borders to be porous.”
Some people at the event – include Trump Jr. – expressed their distrust in mainstream media, including Carter-Currier, who said “I don’t like the media because I can’t find a source, no one can tell me who’s telling the truth.”
I’m headed to Nikki Haley’s 6 p.m. event in Salem next, and later tonight, Trump’s 9 p.m. rally in Laconia.
3:56 p.m.: Supporters of former President Donald Trump are gathering at Fulchino Vineyard in Hollis, New Hampshire, where Donald Trump Jr. is scheduled to hold a campaign event at 3 p.m.
A line of parked cars stretched along rural Pine Hill Road, where the vineyard is located, and vendors were even setting up tables selling Trump merchandise.
2:07 p.m. Korean War veteran William Rogers was one of the people who spoke with Nikki Haley at Manchester's Puritan Backroom restaurant early Monday afternoon amid her last-minute blitz in the Granite State.
"I think she's a very nice person, but I don't believe her party is backing her as much as they should," he said.
Nevertheless, the registered Republican said he still plans on voting for Donald Trump in Tuesday’s primary.
"It worries me standing up to the president of North Korea, Iran, that she'd be able to do that," Rogers said. "I think she'd have a rough time."
1:32 p.m. Along Elm Street by Veteran's Memorial Park, two people held an anti-Trump sign through a sunroof near two media outlets.
1:10 p.m.: It’s the day before primary in New Hampshire — and Manchester, the Granite State’s largest city, is buzzing as presidential candidates and news media descend on the state.
I’ll be spending the day criss-crossing the state, heading to events held by the Trump and Haley camps and talking to voters about what matters most to them.
I arrived at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Manchester shortly before 1 p.m. — where the nation’s largest news organizations have set up a home base to follow the first in the nation primary. Reporters, producers and photographers are discussing their plans, conducting interviews and grabbing coffee to fuel their coverage.
I’m planning my afternoon and evening, and will take you along with me to several of the day’s events. Follow along here.
