Afternoon Update: Valley voters turn out in droves
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In precincts in every corner of Hampshire County Tuesday, voters entered their polling booths - some after waiting in lines before polls even opened - and left smiling broadly, as voters flocked to the polls in record numbers. There was an almost tangible sense of history in the making, even while the outcome of a presidential election in this state was hardly in question.
The line at Mosier Elementary in South Hadley stretched all the way out to the parking lot and by 8 a.m. over 300 people had voted. "I hope it continues," said election worker Ann Root.
In Easthampton, as 1:30 p.m., 4,614 ballots were cast, which is a voter turnout of about 40 percent.
"That kind of puts me right on track for my prediction," said City Clerk Barbara LaBombard. Earlier, she'd said she expects a turnout of 85 percent, while in Northampton officials were estimating a turnout of as high as 90 percent.
A third of Hadley's registered voters had gone to the polls by 10 a.m. Tuesday, including 350 in the first hour, said Town Clerk Jessica Spanknebel. The earliest voter came to the polls at 6:40 p.m., she said. At Amherst's Precinct 9, which is Wildwood School, the earliest voter, Gina Kapuscinski, came to the polls at 6:20. There was a line of about 25 voters when the polls opened at 7.
An emotional vote
Amherst resident Ann Vexler, who voted at the Crocker Farms School in Amherst, said she cried as she cast her ballot for Barack Obama. "I always feel patriotic on Election Day," she said. "But I've never gotten emotional before."
She said she stood behind a young mother in line, who was explaining to her child how momentous this day was and that she would be able to tell her grandchildren that she was with her mother in the voting booth when Obama was elected president. "I go into my booth with tears streaming down my face," said Vexler.
Meanwhile, Amherst barber Armando "Papo" Hernendes, 58, said, "Obama's gonna keep everybody up all night!" He said he planned a campaign party for tonight.
"From the kids in school to the folks at the Senior Center," said Hernendes. "This is about America!"
Linda Prothers, a teacher at Crocker Farms, showed up to vote at the Fort River School at 6 a.m. because she couldn't sleep. "I was up at four, I was so excited." Waiting in line at the polls at 6:30, she said, the line was already long and the people in it enthusiastic.
Many parents were voting with their kids in tow. Kelly Olanyk, 26, precinct constable at Crocker Farm, took it upon himself to help several parents up a short flight of stairs with their strollers, wagons and baby carriages. "Technically, it's not in my job description, but everyone's in such a good mood."
Becky Demling said she took her kids with her to vote early, then walked them to their classroom. "You train your kids to be politically curious," she said.
Northampton voters turn out
At the JFK Middle School in Northampton, voter Eileen Kirby said she was there for two reasons: Obama and a no on Question 1.
"I'm disgusted with McCain," she said. "I was on the fence to begin with, but his true colors came through."
As for Question 1, she said, "It would hurt a lot. It's foolish to change."
Ward 7 poll worker Joe Misterka said the turnout was steady but manageable.
One by one, two by two, people came in and out of the school, everyone friendly, saying hello.
At Jackson Street School, about 400 people had voted by 11 a.m., many of whom were first-time voters, according to election worker Shauneen Kroll. "We've had grandparents who don't speak English having the ballot explained to them by their grandchildren," she said.
The school's principal, Gwen Agna, was delighted to see so many former parents and students showing up to vote and say hello. "It's like a reunion," she said, "tremendously busy."
Some of her current students were out front waving signs and hollering "Obama!" at passing motorists.
Easthampton voters talk
John Malikowski, 79, of 35 Church St., supported McCain outside Easthampton High School on Election Day, eight years after the presidential candidate hugged him. Malikowski explained how his brother died at age 23 serving in the US Navy in 1945.
"It was very genuine - he was so warm-hearted," Malikowski said of McCain. "I had my eye on him since then."
Malikowski, at the polls with a respirator and tubes in his nose, said the world is "not a safe place" and McCain's experience serving the country makes him a viable candidate. Of Obama, he said, "we don't need on-the-job training."
But others felt differently. Across from Malikowski and a couple of other McCain supporters were Obama supporters holding "Mamas for Obama" signs.
"Anything that a mother's concerned about, Obama's going to support," said Mary Jane Mathers, 58, of Oak Ridge Circle.
Meanwhile, over at White Brook Middle School, Mayor Michael A. Tautznik held signs supporting Olver, Kerry, Obama and No on Question 1.
"I tend to be politically active," said a laughing Tautznik, who had been out there since the polls opened. "I'm pretty opinionated."
He said he believes Obama will help strengthen the nation's ties with the rest of the world.
"I'm very comfortable that he's going to offer a new direction for this country that is not only long overdue but very important," Tautznik said. "I'm convinced that the world's view of America has impacts on our lives every day in ways we don't even realize."
The younger set
Meanwhile, voting Tuesday wasn't only for those who have come of age.
Indeed, it doesn't get much more exciting than Election Day at Amherst Regional Middle School, where students from the Emerald Team held mock panel presentations, debates and election, with speeches from candidates in the Democratic, Green, Independent and Communist parties.
Communist Party candidates promised "free health care for all." Democratic presidential candidate Jak Schrader said, "First and foremost, we will end the war in Iraq and bring the troops home."
Voting was to take place later in the day.
Amherst Regional Middle Schooers Jak Schrader and Michael Hixon played the part of Democratic candidates for president and vice-president.
The role-playing extended beyond politicians. Middle schooler Ana Sofia Semedo was a debate usher, and highly partisan to boot, saying: "I'm voting for the Democrats."
Eighth graders Wilson Fidalgo and Omar Harris were "media specialist" for the event.
Green Party candidate Kyra Wolf declared: "We care about the environment and we like the Green Party's policies."
The atmosphere was a little more sedate at Wildwood Elementary School where students cast ballots in the library in booths made out of library shelves and Librarian Elaine Donoghue's old dining room curtains.
"Either way, I'm very excited - and nervous and anxious," second grade teacher Dawn Vontz said about the election.
Gazette Writer Mary Carey contributed to this report.
