Experiences Give Voters at Polls Contrasting Views on Clinton, Trump

Over at the Ahern Middle School in Foxborough, one Hillary Clinton supporter stands in front of a sign for the Democratic presidential candidate because of his past experience with Donald Trump. Meanwhile at Mansfield High School, another who is not old enough to vote, holds signs for the Republican candidate while calling for his opponent to be placed in jail.

If you're looking for what the political divide in this country looks like, what's outside the polls in the area may give you some insight. In Foxborough, Democrats Arthur Muldoon and Ray Webb are spending their Election Day holding signs for candidates on the left. While residents are entering the middle school at a steady rate, the sign holders on a small grass island in the parking lot are fairly quiet and respectful, with many opting to hold signs for the state representative race between Jay Barrows and Michael Toole. Webb said that he believes that Clinton can take the country forward and reduce the animosity between people, something that Muldoon agrees with.

For Muldoon, a stone setter, his past dealings with Trump gave him what he needed to know about him as a presidential candidate. He said he worked on Trump Tower during construction.

"I know he has no qualifications. He's lucky to have been born with a silver spoon," Muldoon said.

Meanwhile in Mansfield, a 17-year-old who was an infant the last time Trump flirted with running for president stands with a sign not only backing Trump, but to place Clinton in jail. Matt Hannon, a 17-year-old senior at Mansfield High School, says he's been holding signs for candidates since he was 9 years old, starting with John McCain in 2008.

"Since I can't vote, I want to make an impression on others. We don't need another four years of this," the teen said.

His dad, Bob Hannon, jokes that it's his son who drags him out for political activism. Unlike his son, Bob's position is more anti-Clinton than pro-Trump. He makes sure to point out that none of his signs have anything to do with the Republican candidate.

"I'm anti-Hillary. (Trump) is not my candidate," the older Hannon said. "I threw up a little but I voted for (Trump) because I think he's the lesser of two evils.

Bob mentions that his son has done a good job at meeting other candidates, noting that he got the chance to meet former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown at a past rally.

Unlike Foxborough, Mansfield is a bit more lively, especially around the Trump supporters. One woman screams her support for Clinton as she drives by while another in a car says "Unfortunately, you live in the dumbest, socialist state in the county."

"There's always prayer," a Trump support says back.

Inside, the votes are coming in at a steady stream. Foxborough has seen about 25 percent of registered voters cast a ballot, while the number is just over 29 percent in Mansfield. Neither figure includes early voting.

Image Credit: Dan Libon