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    • “Crazy” turnout predicted in Leominster and Fitchburg, MA
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    “Crazy” turnout predicted in Leominster and Fitchburg, MA

    Kathleen William Posted on

    LEOMINSTER – “Crazy” is the word Elizabeth Doiron used to describe the flurry of election activity in Leominster on Election Day.

    The drawing of a contentious and historic presidential election campaign, coupled with a series of statewide voting questions, ensures the decisive outcome of the election in the city of 43,000 residents.

    “It was very busy,” Doiron, the Leominster town clerk, said late morning. “People want to make sure their vote is counted.”

    The same goes for Fitchburg, with a population of 42,000. There, Linda Gallant, manager of the Ward 6, Precinct B polling place at St. Bernard's Activity Center, said she added many first-time voters and numerous inactive voters back to the voter rolls.

    “It’s unusual to be as busy as we are,” Gallant said. When asked to explain, Gallant said: “It’s the state of the country. Both sides (in the presidential campaign) are turning out their voters.”

    Fitchburg City Clerk Joanna Bilotta expected turnout to exceed the 64.9% of the city's 34,000 registered voters who cast ballots in the 2020 presidential race, when Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump. Nearly 7,000 registered voters in Fitchburg have already cast their ballots in person or by mail.

    Bilotta acknowledged that nationwide misinformation about election integrity has made her job more difficult, and she wants voters to “trust the process.” She explained that voting machines are tested regularly. When it comes to early voting, the rules require election officials to announce when votes will be counted so that the public can follow the process.

    “If there are any questions (from the public), then look at the process,” Bilotta said.

    Doiron has been working as clerk in Leominster since August, so she still has a broad overview of voting habits in the city. She assumes that half of the city's 32,000 registered voters voted on Tuesday.

    Additional monitors available

    Federal election observers are in Fitchburg and Leominster to ensure the day goes smoothly. They also exist in Everett, Lowell, Malden, Methuen, Quincy and Salem, communities with significant shares of voters of color. Nationwide, there are observers in more than 80 jurisdictions in nearly 30 states.

    Voters polled at St. Bernard's reported mixed support for Kamala Harris and Trump, while others weren't too happy with the choice. Christabel Erhagbai, 45, said she didn't appreciate the options but voted for Harris, who she said would focus on the economy. Erhagbai worries about the high cost of food and makes ends meet by working extra shifts at her job as a nurse.

    Gimena Deleon, 49, who voted for Trump, was also concerned about the economic situation. “He will deal with what is going on in the economy now. His attitude will make America better.”

    While Crystal Blair, 45, voted for Harris because the vice president supports women's rights, Blair noted she was “so disgusted by the negative campaign from both sides.”

    Chris Melanson, 51, echoed these thoughts when he said: “We’ve gotten to the point where no one talks to each other anymore. I’m tired of the madness.”

    Melanson voted for Trump because “we need drastic change. The country is in a difficult situation, from economics to politics to the law. At the end of the day, (Trump) delivers results.”

    The choice of president varies

    At the Leominster City Hall polling station, voter polls showed there were diverse candidates for president.

    Fred Cook, 82, voted for Trump. “We have to save our country. The economy, immigration and inflation are terrible.” Cook's wife Anne, 81, also accompanied the former president. “We have to bring our country back together.”

    Thomas William, 59, wearing a hat covered in images of the American flag, voted for Harris and took verbal shots at Trump. “She’s a politician, not a game show star who cares more about her ego.”

    Decisions on ballot issues

    Voters were eager to talk about the five statewide ballot questions.

    Fitchburg voter and retired schoolteacher Jack Ginnity, 69, voted “no” on Question 2, which would end the passage of MCAS as a high school graduation requirement. “There has to be some responsibility,” Ginnity said. Others, like Blair, voted to eliminate MCAS because not everyone is a good test taker.

    Blair also voted “yes” on Question 4, which would allow people 21 and older to grow and possess certain psychedelic substances and allow their sale in licensed establishments. She called the substances “pretty harmless.” Others said 21 wasn't old enough to use psychedelics responsibly.

    In Leominster, Fred Cook voted “yes” on Question 1, which asked whether the state auditor should be allowed to audit both branches of the state legislature.

    Voter Kelly Schindler, 37, was interested in Question 5, which would increase the minimum wage for tipped service workers. She works as a bartender and voted against raising the wage to the state minimum wage of $15 an hour. “I make a good living. That doesn’t need to change.”

    Local racing attracts attention

    While all the attention was focused on the Harris-Trump race and voting issues, there was also a notable local state Senate race. Incumbent Democrat John Cronin faced primary Republican candidate Nicholas Pirro III in the Worcester & Middlesex District.

    Some voters chose the candidate based on their party affiliation, while others gave specific reasons for their choice. Ginnity voted for Cronin because he is “very approachable.”

    The Cooks voted for Pirro to create more balance in Democratic-dominated Beacon Hill. “Sometimes we need a fresh face. “The representatives in Boston are too heavy-handed in one respect,” said Fred Cook.

    The polling stations are open until 8 p.m

    Contact Henry Schwan at [email protected]. Follow him on X: @henrytelegram.

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    Kathleen William
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