WASHINGTON — The New Hampshire primary saw a record turnout Tuesday, leaving voters dealing with long lines, traffic jams and extended voting hours.
Secretary of State Bill Gardner predicted a record 550,000 ballots, representing 62 percent of the Granite State’s registered voters.
The projected split was 282,000 GOP ballots and 268,000 Democratic voters.
The previous record was set in 2008 with 530,000 voters.
Laconia City Clerk Mary Reynolds told WCVB-TV that about 65 percent of her town’s registered voters came to the polls and registration was up significantly.
Bernie Sanders credited the record vote for his victory on the Democratic side.
“Because of a huuuge voter turnout — and I say HUUUGE — we won,” he told supporters Tuesday night, echoing Donald Trump.
Some polling locations were so busy, workers feared running out of ballot materials.
Polling places throughout the state had steady crowds. Lines were already out the door at some locations in Manchester when polls opened at 6 a.m.
In Merrimack, officials were granted permission to stay open an hour longer to get those from the traffic crush inside to vote.