(NECN: Kristen Carosa) - Joan Stewart was among the first to vote in Boylston Tuesday. She votes in every election and today was no different.
“This is an important election - it's a local personal election more than a presidential election because our senator directly affects what is happening in Massachusetts,” she says.
Like Stewart, both candidates focused on getting out the vote on Election Day as well. Gomez thanked his campaign staff in Worcester while Markey started off his day voting in Malden.
“I could not have done without them – it’s really them doing all the work to get the vote out which is critical in the last few weeks especially,” Gomez said.
“Enjoyed getting to vote today - it's a nice day - so hopefully everyone will get out and vote today,” Markey said.
Boylston town clerk Sandy Bourassa thought turnout might have been low but as of midafternoon she was wrong.
“At noon today we are up to 10-percent which is very good,” she says.
Politics
And in Worcester…
“It's been surprisingly high,” says Worcester clerk Tom Ventura.
He says the city expected a 20-turnout overall for the day but it might end up to be higher.
The town of Shrewsbury is hoping for the same.
“We have seen a voter turnout that we did not expect... We really didn't think we would get this many voters... We are doing well - numbers are good,” says Carol McWilliams.
Whether it was Boylston, Worcester or Shrewsbury, poll workers seem surprised at the amount of voters coming in. And that's thanks in part to voters like Susan Leahy and Joan Stewart.
“If we have an opinion - we need to find the person that expressed those opinions for us – it’s important to get out and vote and vote for that person.”
“How else do you affect change if you don't come out to vote,” asks Stewart. “That's our basis right and everyone should do it.”
