NEWBURYPORT — Just days into early voting across the state and regionally, city and town clerks are reporting high numbers.
The results of the much-discussed Nov. 3 general election will determine whether Gov. Maura Healey secures a second term or cedes the corner office to Hamilton businessman and Republican challenger Mike Minogue. There are also nine ballot questions and a 10th nonbinding question hanging in the balance.
In Newburyport, hundreds of residents wasted no time casting their ballots in the important election, with 234 people voting early at the Senior/Community Center on Saturday, according to City Clerk Kathleen Sullivan.
Even with the large number of people visiting the center, there were no hiccups making for a successful start to early voting.
“Everything went really smoothly. I think we had a small period where we maybe had a little bit of a line, but we have extra voting booths and places for people to vote within that polling location, so there really was enough space for everybody,” she said.
Looking ahead, Sullivan said while there may be a dip in voter turnout this week, numbers will likely increase again by the time next weekend rolls around.
“It tends to go down a little bit during the weekdays, especially during the first week of early voting because we have those abbreviated hours,” she said of voter turnout. “But then on the second Saturday and the second week tend to be a little busier as we get closer to the election.”
In Salisbury, Town Clerk Melinda Morrison also said her office saw a high number of early voters over the weekend.
Approximately 80 residents voted early at Town Hall on Saturday, a larger number than the town typically sees at the start of early voting, according to Morrison.
“It’s definitely more than the past years,” she said.
Morrison also said Saturday went smoothly at Town Hall, with residents thoughtfully reviewing the ballot before casting their votes.
“Everything was good. I think for this number of ballot questions, I actually really like early voting because they come in couples, pairs, families and they all sit down and vote and take their time, they can do that,” she said.
Amesbury residents also had a strong showing at the polls on Saturday, with nearly 100 people casting their ballots, City Clerk Jennifer Smith said, a higher number than usual.
“It’s definitely more than we typically do,” she said.
Smith said when she checked on voting numbers before noon on Monday, residents were not slowing down, with 45 people having already voted at the start of the week.
“It seems like we’re pretty steady this morning as well,” she said.
Residents can continue to cast their votes through Oct. 30 in Newburyport, Salisbury and Amesbury, and more information to be found on the communities’ websites.