Reporter’s notebook: Here’s what the vibe was like at polling places across NH 

Granite Staters are showing up to elect the next president of the United States—and bringing the good vibes with them.

Election Day is nearly finished in New Hampshire. And at polling locations across the state, our reporters encountered a wide variety of enthusiastic voters and good vibes.

With about two hours to go until polls close, election officials have reported very busy polling locations and lines. 

More than 85,000 New Hampshire residents requested absentee ballots. And more than  800,000 more were expected to show up and vote in person in NH. 

In Manchester, lines began wrapping around the block even before polls opened at 7 a.m., as poll workers and volunteers skittered around to manage them, and to guide those registering that day.

“There are so many reasons to vote,” said Manhester resident Amy Maldonado.”This could be our first chance to have a woman in office as president of the United States of America. It’s important that we fight for women’s rights.” 

Lines moved quickly throughout at several of the city’s busiest polling locations and as the morning progressed, voters kept their spirits high. 

“I am voting for the students that I work for and their rights. It is really important to protect the rights of all the girls around the United States and especially in New Hampshire, where things are a little uncertain,” said Heisha Trilla Rodriguez, another Manchester resident. 

“I feel like we’re making history here in America,” said Andrea Watkins, adding that she headed to the polls even before she grabbed a cup of coffee in the morning. 

Enfield poll workers were seeing record turnout in the afternoon. In New Boston, the election was going smoothly, and the parking lot was packed with cars during lunch hours.

“New Boston has it down to a science,” said one person who volunteered as a poll worker in the afternoon.