The midnight voting tradition began as a way to accommodate rail workers who had to start their shifts before the polls opened

If you were looking for surprises, the 2024 election likely wasn't for you. In New Hampshire, the status quo held. Republicans held onto the governor's office, with Kelly Ayotte successfully playing the anti-tax card against Joyce Craig and mining the old canard about "satanic" Massachusetts threatening to invade and befoul its pristine northern neighbors.

The energy in Manchester was matched at polls statewide. Despite some isolated incidents, Secretary of State David Scanlan said Election Day ran smoothly in New Hampshire. He said several polls had to close a little later to accommodate the last voters standing in line.