With the New Hampshire primary approaching, the small New England state finds itself at a critical juncture in the unique primary season. New Hampshire holds the prestigious status of being the first presidential primary election in the country, a tradition that has spanned over a century. On Tuesday, Republican voters in the Granite State will head to the polls to play a significant role in determining their party's ultimate nominee.

Former President Donald Trump, who first secured the GOP nomination in New Hampshire back in 2016, is hoping for another win in the state that propelled him to victory. His main challenger is Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor, who seeks a strong finish to boost her campaign going forward. However, the field narrowed to a two-person race after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dropped out and endorsed Trump's bid for the nomination, leaving uncertainty about the impact of his decision.

The Republican primary in New Hampshire holds 22 delegates at stake, making the results crucial in shaping the path towards the eventual nominee. A CBS News poll conducted in December 2023 showed Trump with a double-digit lead over Haley, with 44% support among likely GOP primary voters. However, the polling was conducted before DeSantis, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy dropped out, potentially shifting the dynamics of the race.

In contrast, the Democratic side of the primary will not allocate any delegates, and President Biden will not appear on the ballot. The Democratic National Committee punished New Hampshire for maintaining its prized "first-in-the-nation" primary status, as the party wanted South Carolina to lead the way in the 2024 Democratic cycle. Instead, Biden's reelection campaign has urged Democrats to write in his name.

New Hampshire's primary system allows "open" voting, meaning undeclared voters can choose to participate in either the Democratic or Republican primary. Undeclared voters make up more than 39% of registered voters in the state, presenting a critical opportunity for Haley to sway both conservative and undeclared voters away from Trump. The state's registered Democratic and Republican voters each account for about 30% of the voting demographic.

New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan expects record turnout in this year's primary. He predicts approximately 322,000 Granite State Republicans could participate in the GOP primary, while around 88,000 Democrats are expected to participate in the Democratic primary. Undeclared residents, along with Republican voters, are eligible to vote in the Republican primary, while registered voters can only vote in one party's primary.

The New Hampshire primary has historically been a reliable indicator of the eventual GOP nominee. In the last three competitive cycles (2008, 2012, and 2016), the state's voters accurately selected the GOP nominee. As the race intensifies, candidates such as Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota and Marianne Williamson have filed necessary paperwork and payment to appear on the Democratic primary ballot, seizing the opportunity presented by President Biden's absence.

Leading up to the primary, some New Hampshire voters expressed frustration with the state of division in the country and a sense of disenfranchisement. Undeclared voter Susan Lawless expressed disappointment with both party's candidates, describing it as "choosing the prettiest horse in the glue factory," while registered Republicans like Ralph Lewis believe Nikki Haley can unify America.

Meanwhile, some voters raised concerns about Trump's legal issues and perceived distractions. Ralph Lewis believes Trump has "too much baggage" due to ongoing legal challenges, while Brenda Bell thinks that though she agrees with his policies, chaos tends to follow him. Bruce Gurley, a registered Republican, cited the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol as a breaking point for his support of the former president.

However, many Trump supporters in New Hampshire remain unfazed by his legal issues, viewing them as sensationalized attempts to undermine him. Sherry Carrigan dismissed the charges against Trump as "bogus hogwash."

As the New Hampshire primary approaches, all eyes are on the state's voters to see which Republican candidate can secure a critical victory and gain momentum in the race for the party's nomination.