Hanover High School was abuzz today for 12 long hours as campaign workers made last-minute efforts to sway voters heading into the polls.
Dartmouth students formed a visible presence among both campaigners and voters. Polling officials described a "healthy" student turnout, due in large part to New Hampshire's easy same-day voter registration.
Many students cited issue-based reasons for backing their candidate. Clint Hendler '05 volunteered for the Howard Dean campaign and spent his afternoon holding signs in the cold.
"The Dean campaign was the most open to volunteers," recruiting support from the grassroots level, said Hendler. "We'll only see change in the U.S. if the people get involved. Dean's healthcare work in Vermont is a good starting point."
Others cited electability as the pivotal issue in selecting their candidate.
"Put [Edwards] up beside Bush and he'll cream him," said Carolyn Khanna of Hanover, who has worked on the Kerry campaign since September. "Kerry comes off stuffy -- but you can't out-'good-ol'-boy' Edwards. He's incredibly electible.
But with seven candidates still in the race, area Democrats remain divided.
The front lawn of the high school was awash with color as energetic supporters from every camp decorated the sidewalk -- and themselves -- with candidates' names. They chatted in groups, walked around shaking hands, passed out flyers and stickers and often shouted to be heard above one another.
The impassioned supporters' energy reached frantic heights at certain times, particularly as the day drew to a close. All 50 or so campaign workers lined up minutes before the polls closed to cheer the last few voters as they sprinted in to vote.
"Deanies" were the most visible bunch at the polls, carrying giant signs and peppering the snowbanks with placards. Several Dean supporters walked around among the other candidates' groups, making sure that Dean's name was visible everywhere.
Despite the disparate opinions and passionate campaigning, Democrats maintained a level of cooperation and respect for the party. Hanover resident and business owner Jack Stinson firmly maintained that regardless of his candidate's performance, "I will support the Democratic candidate."
As for the numbers, Dean supporters were crossing voters off lists after they voted, but no one was conducting exit polls. Most said they just wanted to campaign as hard as they could today and then watch the results come in tonight after the polls closed.
Many were happy to offer forecasts, however, despite the absence of numbers.
Ben Correa '04 and Phillip Peisch '04 were out for Edwards, and seemed optimistic about his chances.
"We feel good after Iowa," said Correa. "We're looking for a strong third place today, and then going down into the south with that."
Jack and Sarah Buckey, both Hanover residents, campaigned for retired Gen. Wesley Clark.
"There's been a big involvement with the College for Clark," said Sarah Buckey. "There's been a great turnout today. I think a lot of Clark supporters are coming out."
Students turned out in relatively high numbers today at the Hanover polls, according to Patti Eckels, a local resident working at the same-day registration table.
"It's been a steady stream [of same-day registrations]," said Eckels. New Hampshire's easy voter registration procedures helped a big campus effort to get students to the polls.
Many student campaign leaders organized rides to the polls, and the Young Democrats operated an all-day bus to and from Hanover High.
Young Democrats' members said they wanted to make sure that no student who wanted to vote was not discouraged by either the walk to the high school or the cold weather.
Students working for Dean, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry and Clark all worked together to rent the van from the College, according to the Young Democrats. The taxi shuttled 120 students back and forth.
