The People Make Their Decisions

Although final numbers were not in yet, it was clear the election on Tuesday had a good turnout of voters, according to picket sign holders at various polling locations in town.

More than 60 percent of voters actually turned out yesterday.

Republican Brian Latina, who was outside holding signs, said the turnout was "massive."

"It was huge. At 7:15 when I was here, someone told me there was a 35 minute wait. People have been calling it Independence Day," he said.

Most were happy about such a large turnout, though Democrats largely came out on top in the area. However, across the country, plenty of Republicans reclaimed seats in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

"I think the turnout has been tremendous. I think the town clerk can affirm that it has been higher than it's been in recent memory.," said Don Prince, who was holding signs for Susan Fargo yesterday. "And that's great. It means people are coming out and voting."

Prince said people are starting to get more and more concerned about their government, so they're starting to take an active role.

"People are very concerned that the state government is responsive and listening, and if there is a day to send a loud message, it's Election Day," said Prince. "I think that by the end of the day we'll realize that ... the voters are articulating a strong message to the winners to pay attention and not take anyone's vote or opinion for granted, and to listen."

Secretary of State Bill Galvil predicted a large turnout yesterday, which rang true in many communities across the state. More than 50 percent of voters turned out in Chelmsford.

Of the high turnout, Republican Janis Wilco said, "Its really great people have really decided (they) can make a change, and are coming out and finally waking up. It's good to see the state waking up."

Lisa Phillips, one person in a group of picket sign holders also said the polls had been "very busy" compared to other elections she has seen.  She said she feels that the governor race is the most important issue in the election.

"It has been very busy and I'm delighted," said Betty Trombley, a sign holder at McCarthy Middle School.

She said that she felt the reason for the large turnout was due to the important issues that this election will hopefully resolve.

"I think there's a lot of issues that people are here to vote on. I know a lot of people probably came out for 40B and I just think that the elections for congress are very tight. There's been so much dissention and a lot of anger and I don't like to see that."

Trombley said that she thinks three issues, the governor race, 40B, and the sales tax proposals are all very important issues.

Latina said he thought this election is all about "Sending a message to Beacon Hill and sending a message to Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama and Harry Reid."

Prince said electing a good leader was important.

"I'm supporting Susan Fargo ...  one thing she's talking about is her willingness to listen," he said. "It's one thing to have knowledge, it's another to just sit back for a moment, and let people tell you what's important to them.  And I think she does that very well." 

Wilco was more focused on increasing the Republican presence in the government, rather than the specific issues in the election on Tuesday.

"I'm a citizen that  believes that what's happening in the government now… needs a great change and a Republican hopefully will move into that position where there will be more change. That's why I'm holding signs," Wilco said.