New Hampshire GOP Primary Sets a Turnout Record

With Donald Trump on the ballot, the voting surge underscored his ability to drive loyal supporters and determined opposition to the polls.

Share full article

A polling site in Wolfeboro, N.H. Turnout was strong across the state on Tuesday.

A record number of voters cast a ballot in New Hampshire’s Republican primary on Tuesday, according to a New York Times analysis of election data, as former President Donald J. Trump cruised to an easy victory over Nikki Haley, his last remaining rival.

The total of more than 300,000 votes as of early Wednesday surpassed the previous high-water mark for a Republican primary, when more than 287,000 voters turned out in 2016. The previous record for either party was the Democrats’ 2020 contest, with more than 296,000 voters, many supporting Senator Bernie Sanders of neighboring Vermont.

The exceptionally high turnout on Tuesday underscores the electrifying effect Mr. Trump has on the electorate, driving loyal supporters and determined opposition to the polls as his divisive style of politics both inspires and revolts.

The A.P./VoteCast exit poll split the electorate, using Mr. Trump’s Make America Great Again movement as a dividing line. Mr. Trump won nearly 90 percent of the MAGA segment of the Republican Party, evidence of deep enthusiasm, while Ms. Haley carried about two-thirds of the non-MAGA base.

“It’s a double-edged sword,” said Michael McDonald, a professor at the University of Florida who specializes in American elections. “It cuts one way that Trump could draw out so many supporters. It cuts the other in that so many opposed him. When Trump is on the ballot he inflames passions.”

All three national elections held after Mr. Trump first took office produced exceptionally high turnout. The 2018 elections had the highest midterm turnout rate — 49 percent of the eligible voting population — since 1914. The 2020 presidential contest had the highest rate in any federal election since 1900.

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.