DIXVILLE NOTCH, N.H. – Mitt Romney has a small lead in New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation Republican primary after two tiny towns cast their ballots shortly after midnight Tuesday. But the early morning votes are merely a foreshadow to a busy day in the Granite State as the GOP presidential candidates flit around the state to make their final case to voters.

The first five-minute voting session kicked off in the tiny hamlet of Dixville Notch, whose residents are famous for being the first to cast their ballots each election season.

Romney and Jon Huntsman tied with two votes each in the town. Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul each got one. President Obama got three votes.

The small town only has nine registered voters.The nine residents who cast their ballots include three registered Republicans and two registered Democrats. Four other voters haven't declared a party.

In the town of Hart's Location, which has a population of 41, Romney gained a small lead.

He received five votes, Paul, the Texas congressman, received four votes, Huntsman two votes and Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Gingrich each received one, according to WMUR-TV. Obama received 10 votes.

That gave Romney a total seven votes, while Paul picked up five votes, Huntsman had four votes, Gingrich two votes and Perry a lone vote. Obama had 13 in his uncontested race...