New Hampshire primary voters flock to polling sites in massive numbers

New Hampshire polls begin closing at 7pm tonight and voter turnout is massive by all measures.

Traffic was backed up for an estimated 2 miles in Merrimack, NH as the sun set on primary voting day. Precinct moderator given permission to stay open as long as she deems necessary to facilitate voting.

*update* Precinct moderator has had officials mark the end of the line. Once all people in front of the marker have voted Merrimack, NH will close and report.

Early estimates say that 62%-65% of registered voters are flocking to the polls – numbers usually seen only in heated general elections, not the primaries.

The swing of independent voters may be indicative of the what’s to come in the general election.

An NBC news report indicates that more independents are voting republican this year than in 2008. Exit polls are showing 42% of New Hampshire’s GOP voters consider themselves independent while only 39% of Democrats came from the large pool of independent voters in the granite state. The numbers were reversed in 2008 where Democrats came from independents 44% of the time and made up only 37% of Republicans.

In one polling location an apparent attempt by an oft ignored segment of the ‘Animal Farm’ party held things up while continuing his protest.

The Iowa Caucuses experienced record voter turnout and New Hampshire seems ready to do the same.