New Hampshire voters go to the polls; Midnight votes tallied

February 1, 2000 -- In an election year tradition, the two tiny New Hampshire towns of Dixville Notch and Hart's Location rang in primary day by casting their ballots at midnight.

Although Sen. John McCain has jumped out to an early two-vote lead in the first 40 votes cast, election folklore may be on Texas Gov. George W. Bush's side.

The Republican chosen by Dixville Notch's voters -- all 29 of them this year -- has gone on the win the party's nomination in every presidential election since 1968. And this year, Bush pulled off the victory in Dixville Notch, garnering 12 votes to McCain's 10.

Bush's lead evaporated quickly though as Hart's Location, the other community that votes at 12:01 on primary morning, chose McCain over Bush, 9-5.

The combined vote currently has McCain with 19, Bush 17 and publisher Steve Forbes with one.

In Hart's Location, two voters also wrote in Elizabeth Dole's name for vice president. She dropped out of the presidential race in October.

On the Democratic side, and there are even fewer of them in the small communities, former Senator Bill Bradley jumped out to a commanding lead over Vice President Al Gore - 13 votes to five.

"I think Senator Bradley has a better chance of working with Congress," said Democrat David Nesbitt, 48, a cross-country skiing director. "He's been a team player all his life."

McCain supporter Sharon Pearson, 31, supervisor of the checklist in Dixville Notch and a registered independent, said the Arizona senator got her vote because of his record in the military and the U.S. Senate.

"I feel I have a lot of faith in him," Pearson said. "He has had to address a broader range of issues."

At polling places in the daylight hours, candidates began giving their final pitches to voters.

George W. Bush predicted "I'm going to win," while rival John McCain joked about a landslide victory in the tight GOP race.

McCain also appeared on the "Imus in the Morning" syndicated radio program, where he also joked: "The landslide has started. Timber!"

Bradley, who once led in the state's polls, asked voters for support in the early hours.

"I'm ready for the verdict," Democrat Bill Bradley declared at a school in Merrimack, where he shook voters' hands, telling each: "I need your help."

Bradley paused to chat with Republican hopeful Gary Bauer, who showed up at the same school. "How does it look?" Bauer asked.

"It looks good," Bradley said.

But Gore's wife, Tipper, predicted a victory during a morning television interview, saying "We feel like the energy is moving definitely to our campaign."