The 2024 “first in the nation” presidential primary in New Hampshire marked a deviation from precedent, where both Republicans and Democrats would host their respective primary elections in the Granite State. But this year, the primary for the Democrats officially shifted to South Carolina, while the Republican primary remained in New Hampshire.
This decision by the Democratic Party drew criticism from New Hampshire voters such as Shannon Rand, as their “first in the nation” status has been a subject of pride for the Granite state for decades.
“It's really disappointing,” Rand said. “I've lived here for 46 years, tradition matters.”
Some New Hampshirites, including Roger Bleau, supported the move by the Democratic Party and claimed that South Carolina has a more diverse population, which would be a better place to host the first primary.
“I think it's a good move because we are the fourth whitest state in the country,” Bleau said. “If you go to South Carolina, we have all kinds of demographics. I think It's more indicative of the rest of the country so I think it's important and it doesn't bother me that they are first.”
The New Hampshire primary occurred on the heels of the Iowa Caucus which was held on Jan. 15.
Former President Donald Trump takes the stage during a campaign rally inside Southern New Hampshire University Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire on Jan. 20. The rally occurred seven years to the day since Trump was sworn in as the 45th President in 2017.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a town hall event at the LaBelle Winery in Derry, New Hampshire on Jan. 17 less than a week before dropping out of the race. Republican Congressmen Chip Roy and Thomas Massie were also in attendance.
Although DeSantis came in second place in the Iowa Caucus, he would later drop out of the Republican race on Jan. 21, merely days before the New Hampshire Primary. While running, both DeSantis and Haley battled to be the alternative Republican candidate to former President Trump. After dropping out, DeSantis endorsed Trump.
Former United Nations Ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley navigates an icy sidewalk while departing a meet-and-greet event in Hollis, New Hampshire on Jan. 18.
In the last few days before the primary election, the race narrowed to a match between former United Nations Ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. After declining to participate in Republican debates without Trump, Haley criss-crossed the state of New Hampshire to gain support among voters.
Biden write-in campaign volunteers cross Central Ave in Dover, New Hampshire on Jan 21 as they attempt to spread awareness about the write-in campaign for the New Hampshire presidential primary. While Biden was not officially on the ballot, the President won the unofficial Democratic primary with roughly 63.9 %.
While South Carolina is officially the first primary in the nation for the Democratic Party, some Democrat candidates ran long-shot campaigns in the Granite State. This included Congressman Dean Phillips and author Marianne Williamson.
In the end, President Biden won a successful write-in campaign with 63.9% of the vote.
Primary election day began on Jan. 23 in the small community of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, located a mere 20 miles from the Canadian border. Due to dwindling populations, Dixville Notch is one of the few locations that still conducts midnight voting.
Les Otten, the owner of The Balsams Resort, becomes the first person to vote in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire on Jan. 23. The community, roughly 20 miles south of the Canadian border, is known for its decades-long midnight voting tradition.
Former President Donald Trump makes a campaign speech inside Southern New Hampshire University Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire on Jan. 20.
Within hours after the polls closed on Jan. 23, the Republican primary was called for former President Trump, who won over Haley roughly 54.3% to 43.2%. Both Iowa and New Hampshire results have signaled a potential Biden-Trump rematch in November.
The 2024 Presidential Primary now shifts to Nevada and South Carolina, with Republicans having their next election in Nevada on Feb. 8 and the Democrats holding their first official primary on Feb. 3.
North Carolina will hold both Republican and Democrat primaries on March 5.