By Max Bowen-max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
Vehicle were lined up all the way down Wilson Whitty Way and onto Landry Avenue for the Nov. 3 election.
The turnout for the election—which will decide the next President of the United States—was high from the moment the polls opened at 7 a.m. Voters filled the parking lot of North Attleborough High School, the sole voting location in town. Some had to park in the lot of the nearby middle school and walk over to cast their votes.
Near the entrance to Wilson Whitty Way, supporters of the candidates held signs and waved to voters. Michael Bako and Daryl Hanlin were among the few backing President Donald Trump and said they had been spit on and sworn at. Hanlin, who has run for mayor, state representative, and state senator, felt the media has been biased in their coverage and wants to see a ballot question to provide more oversight in this.
“This is war,” he said.
Outside NAHS, the line went well outside as people waited to be called in. Additional poll workers have been added to cope with the overflow, asking voters what precinct they belong to and directing them to the appropriate booths. COVID-19 precautions have been taken, with plexiglass barriers, hand sanitizer stations, and masks required of all who enter. Bob Duquette said the process was well-run and that he only had to wait a few minutes before entering.
“This is the most important election of my lifetime,” he said.
Arthur Higginbottom, one of the precinct voters, said that 500 voters had been seen each hour, though by 1 p.m., the flow had ebbed somewhat. This does not include the many residents that opted for the mail-in or early voting options.
“We’re running out of registered voters,” he said.
Voter presence at the polls was consistently strong throughout the day. Even in the final hours, cars pulled into the high school to the cheers of the signholders. Supporters for Adam Scanlon, John Simmons, Becca Rausch, Matt Kelly and other candidates remained at the polling location from before the doors opened until after they closed.
Those who made it to the polls had a variety of reasons for doing so, but most agreed that this was an incredibly important election. Kristen Cervini said that as a member of the LGBTQ community, she is afraid her rights may be at risk, depending on who is elected. While she and her parents have different opinions on who is the best candidate, they are able to keep the discussion civil, and she credited the lessons she was taught growing up.
“It’s OK to vote one way or another, and I try to be respectful of one another,” she said.
Florence Commack became an active voter when Barack Obama first ran for president and felt that elections sometimes focus on one class of voter or another.
“This is a world of different classes and all different people,” she said.
Waiting for his son to vote, David Seavy said he has been following the election closely, watching both presidential and the vice-president debates. The economic recovery, immigration, and protecting civil liberties are all important issues to him. He often asks if a candidate can be fair and honest when the time comes to vote.
“Can I believe what he or she is saying,” he said.