Merrimack Valley voters headed to the polls early to cast their votes in the general election on Tuesday, with towns and cities seeing record turnout rates.
Families were joined by adult children voting for the first time. All ages and genders filed through their polling locations to determine the United States next president and if that would be Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump.
Election officials were ready for the heavy turnout and saw a steady flow all day. While parking lots were full, lines moved quickly starting at check-in. Most polling locations had a dedicated table with election volunteers helping people find their appropriate precinct.
North Andover had a 32.3% voter turnout with 7,657 people through its polling location’s doors as of 4:37 p.m. Another 9,705 ballots had been cast by early voting or mailed in as of Monday evening.
“It’s been a great day,” North Andover Town Clerk Dawne Warren said. “I’m pleased with how smoothly everything has gone.”
Warren said there had been a lot of preparation throughout the state since July for the General Election.
In Lawrence, City Clerk Eileen O’Connor Bernal said they anticipated the strong turnout and had extra volunteers to handle the volume of voters.
O’Connor Bernal said this has been one of the biggest turnouts she’s seen since taking office in Lawrence. She added while she was not in the city for the 2008 election, the numbers are comparable.
The city is already seeing record numbers: O’Connor Bernal said Lawrence had more than 2,000 ballots cast during early voting and received more than 5,000 mail-in ballots ahead of Tuesday, she reported.
Those voters filled in the ballots with different issues on their minds.
Gerandy Garcia, 22, of Methuen, showed up to the polls and voted with her mom. The first-time voter said she voted for the candidate she felt would best support her ideals.
“I was thinking about kids and the country and my kids’ future,” Garcia said.
Tony Puopolo, of Methuen, said Jan. 6, 2021, was on his mind.
“I think he’s a threat,” Puopolo said about Trump. “I’m afraid it’s going to happen again.”
Outside North Andover High School, campaigners stood with their Harris/Tim Walz signs.
In Haverhill, Debra Kinnal stood at the entrance of Haverhill High School waving signs in support of Trump. Her friend Richard Clemenzi joined her with a Trump and JD Vance flag in hand.
Cars rolled their windows down, giving her thumbs up as they passed while vehicles traveling Monument Street beeped. Her friend Richard Clemenzi joined her with a Trump and JD Vance flag in hand.
“We need change,” Kinnal said. “I’ve been praying. We need to do something about our country.”
Kinnal said she wanted to be out on Election Night because she felt the current administration has divided the country and wants it to be united again.
Voters also showed up to have their say about the five ballot questions, and their decisions were mixed.
In Haverhill, Gareth Smallwood supported Question 4 which looks to legalize and regulate natural psychedelic substances. Smallwood said veterans and those suffering from PTSD could benefit from its passage.
In Methuen, Garcia voted “no” on Question 4 and voted to keep the MCAS tests and to allow rideshare workers to unionize.
In Lawrence a mix of state legislators, local politicians and labor advocates met to rally in support of a ballot question which seeks to allow employees from companies like Uber and Lyft to unionize.
“With a union, all of us rideshare drivers can come together and have a real voice on the job,” rideshare driver Patrick Ruzibukira said. “We can work together with the companies to improve safety, address high out-of-pocket costs and create a fair process for deactivations.”
Alongside Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña, officials from existing unions also met for the rally.
“There are 70,000 drivers in Massachusetts,” said Manny Pastreich, the president of Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ. “Today we’re going to get out and vote. Today we’re going to knock on doors. And tomorrow we’re going to build a union.”
Victor Pena, of Lawrence, said he voted “yes” on Questions 2 and 5.
“I don’t know if everyone will agree with me, but that’s how I wanted to vote,” Pena said. He added that he felt every restaurant worker should receive equal compensation.
Christian Furtado, of Lawrence, also felt strongly about Question 5, but differed in sentiment.
Furtado said it would be detrimental to the industry.
While voters were divided on the questions and voting for Trump or Harris, civic duty united them.
“This is our chance to get our voices heard,” Johannes Weis, of Andover, said as he exited the polls at Andover High School.
“Because I am American,” Vivianne Fanaras, of Haverhill, said about why she cast her ballot.
Having the opportunity to vote was a reason she wanted to become a U.S. citizen. Fanaras said she is originally from Beirut, Lebanon and it was war-torn when she lived there. It’s a privilege not lost on her because it is not a right granted universally throughout the world, she added.
Greg Bird said it’s his civic duty to get out and vote every election, but this time it’s a historic election.
He said Massachusetts typically leans blue, and this election is really about what’s at stake for the country.