by Jim Tankersley

CONCORD, N.H. - They're voting for hope and for changes, against illegal immigration and for economic vitality, for strength and security and strong moral values.

Interviews with dozens of voters in Democratic-leaning Concord and Republican-leaning Hooksett this afternoon revealed an electorate energized by a wide swath of candidates and delighted by an unseasonably warm election day.

This isn't an exit poll or remotely scientific. But here's a snapshot of what New Hampshire voters were thinking today.

In Concord:

*Niel Cannon ended a 48-year streak of choosing between what he called "the lesser of two evils" with a primary vote for Sen. Barack Obama in Concord. His wife, a Republican, changed her registration to independent to back Obama, too. And their son, in his first presidential election, also chose the Illinois Democrat.

"We need change, and we need this kind of change," Cannon said. "This country has taken second-class leadership for so long."

* Matt Golde, a University of New Hampshire student, watched televised Republican and Democratic debates back-to-back with a group of undecided friends last weekend. He narrowed his choices to McCan and Obama, then chose Obama. "He seemed pretty sincere with what he was saying," Golde said. "He didn't spend a lot of time trashing other candidates."

In Goffstown:

* Rebekah Goldstein, 19, carefully weighed her first presidential vote. She watched former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) speak at a rally and attended an Obama house party. Tuesday, she picked Edwards. "I know (Obama) is a very inspirational person," she said, "but the principles Edwards has, his convictions, I really liked Edwards a lot more."

In Hooksett:

* Religion led Cynthia Liska, an office manager, to vote for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Baptist minister. "He's a Christian, mainly," Liska said, explaining her vote. Jan Ladieu also picked Huckabee but said religion didn't factor at all: "He's a likeable person, he's down to earth," she said. "He's not totally a politician."

* After "teeter-tottering" all week, Jennifer Beauchesne and her husband Jason both voter for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, drawn by his tougher immigration stance than McCain's. "Amnesty for illegal immigrants is the wrong signal to send to the rest of the world," Jason Beauchesne said.

* Concern that illegal immigrants are taking resources such as college aid away from citizens drove longtime Democrat Michelle Proulx to vote for Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas). She also considered Romney, but his Mormon religion stopped her. "You ever had one of them knock on your door with all the little books?" Proulx said, referring to Mormons. "They're scary."