Three hours after opening, there had already been nearly 1,000 voters at the two precincts that vote at Mittineague Congregational Church on Route 20 in West Springfield.
WEST SPRINGFIELD – True to predictions, polling places across Western Massachusetts saw brisk voter turnout Tuesday morning.
"Overwhelming," said Claire D. Foley, the warden for polling at Mittineague Congregational Church on Route 20 in West Springfield. "It was very busy first thing in the morning.
Shortly after 10 a.m., there had already been nearly 1,000 voters at the two precincts that vote at the church.
At Munger Hill Elementary School in Westfield more than 1,000 people had voted by about 9:30 a.m., said warden Judy Matyseck.
"It's great to see more people participate," said Westfield resident Mike Parent.
He's certain the U.S. senate contest was driving turnout. He knows its been a topic of conversation in his house. He said his son voted for Republican Scott Brown. He said he voted for Democrat Elizabeth Warren.
Westfield resident Amber Champagne said she voted Republican.
"I think it is important for people to make their own decisions," she said.
At Ludlow High School, Precinct 3 Warden Patricia Charbonneau opened the doors at 7 a.m. for 30 eager waiting voters.
"It's wonderful. This is a very big election year," Charbonneau said.
She and her staff had arrived at 5:30 a.m.
They were gearing up for an expected turnout of 82 percent in the town's six precincts.