In Dixville Notch, the economy dried up, then the candidate appearances did
DIXVILLE NOTCH, N.H. -- For 50 years, the candidates came.
They would make the long journey north on the winding roads of New Hampshire and eventually emerge through the granite mountain pass known as Dixville Notch. Their destination: the Balsams Resort, home of the midnight voters.
Every New Hampshire primary eve, a handful of nearby residents put on their coats, get in their cars, and drive to the Balsams Resort to cast the first ballots in the nation exactly at midnight.
Since the resort closed in 2011, both the "town" and the number of visiting candidates have steadily declined. With no jobs in the area, there are no more residents, so very few presidential aspirants have made the famed journey to the resort town. This year, only Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) visited Dixville Notch.
Still, for Tom Tillotson, son of Neil Tillotson, who brought the midnight vote ritual to the Balsams, the tradition must go on.
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/02/07/in-dixville-notch-the-economy-dried-up-then-the-candidate-appearances-did