First result exactly split between Obama, Romney

Residents of two tiny villages in northern New Hampshire headed to the polls at midnight, casting the first Election Day votes in the U.S.

After 43 seconds of voting, President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney each had 5 votes in Dixville Notch.

According to broadcaster CNN, it was the first time town’s 50-year tradition as the first polling place to cast and count the vote on Election Day that the outcome was tied.

The voters included two registered Democrats, three registered Republicans and five independents. The town opens the polls at midnight with all the residents in attendance, and closes after all of them cast ballots for an immediate hand count.

In the other village, Hart’s Location, Mr. Obama won with 23 votes, Mr. Romney received 9 and Libertarian Gary Johnson received 1 vote. Thirty-three votes were cast in 5 minutes, 42 seconds.

The towns have been enjoying their first-vote status since 1948 and it’s a matter of pride to get everyone to the polls.