Massachusetts voters began casting early ballots in the presidential primaries on Monday.
It's the first time the state has allowed early voting ahead of primary day. Massachusetts is one of more than a dozen states holding their primaries March 3 — so-called Super Tuesday.
Sunny skies and unusually warm weather helped lure voters, who have until Friday to cast early ballots.
Candidates stepped up their appeal to local voters with campaign events and with the help of high profile supporters like actor Michael Douglas who helped open a campaign office for Democratic candidate Mike Bloomberg in Medford, where the candidate grew up.
The Massachusetts contest is particularly critical for Democratic candidate Elizabeth Warren, one of the state's two U.S. senators. Warren supporters could be see holding signs outside a voting location in her hometown of Cambridge.
Early votes can be cast in at least one location in communities across the state during the regular business hours of local election officials. Some cities and towns also have expanded hours and locations.
Secretary of State William Galvin helped kick off early voting by visiting a polling location in Brookline. His office said there was a steady turnout.
Local
There are more than 4.4 million registered voters in Massachusetts. The majority _ more than 55% _ are not enrolled in any political party and can vote in any party's primary.
For information on your local polling center and how to vote, click on this link.
