'It’s a right to vote': Enthusiasm a winner at the presidential primary polls in Worcester

WORCESTER — While it’s too early to know if Super Tuesday will live up to its name, enthusiastic voters were easy to find at the polls the morning of Massachusetts' presidential primary.

Whether people were candid about their favorite candidate or they kept it close to the vest, voters shared one stance: a common belief that voting is a civic duty, one that shouldn’t be taken for granted.

Robert P. Spellane, a former state representative from Worcester, liked what he saw in his capacity as the warden of the polling station at Salem Covenant Church, 215 Mountain St. East.

“Surprisingly, voter turnout has been brisk, which is good to see,” Spellane said.

Not only were the polling places seeing a steady turnout, Spellane said, there was “a handful of folks” waiting for the polls to open at 7 a.m.

“People are excited to come out and vote and have their voice heard,” Spellane said. “Now what that voice is we will not really know until the end of the day today here in Massachusetts.”

Live blog Primary Day in Massachusetts: What's on the ballot? Can unenrolled people vote?

Catching up with voters

Young, old, men, women, singles, couples, U.S.-born and immigrants came out to the polls. While some expressed indifference, a consensus appeared to be proud that they had voted.

Cole Hamel, in his 20s, was voting in his third presidential primary. Hamel said he is optimistic that good days — not necessarily in the next four years — are ahead.

“I have to admit, this is a pretty lackluster election for me,” Hamel said. “Even though it already seems to be a foregone conclusion and I’m not very jazzed by the choice I’m going to have in November, the worst thing I could do is not vote.”

When it comes to the ideal presidential candidate, Hamel said, the three qualities that he looks for are electability, moderate beliefs and likability.

Although he said he’s a little discouraged by this year’s presidential choices, Hamel said he finds solace in knowing that neither Joe Biden nor Donald Trump is likely to be back on the ballot in four years.

“I’m hoping for a bigger shakeup then,” Hamel concluded.

Fred and Regina Mitchell agreed that it’s important to come out and vote.

Worcester Find your polling place

'A right to vote'

“We vote all the time, every year,” Fred Mitchell said. “It doesn’t matter — locals, presidential. We don’t miss out. It’s a right to vote.”

“We need a change,” Regina Mitchell interjected.

A Vietnam War Army veteran, Fred Mitchell pointed at the word “Vietnam” on his sweatshirt while paying homage to all American soldiers who have fought and served. They secured our country’s freedoms, which includes the right to vote, he said.

“See that there,” he questioned. “People over there (in Vietnam), they don’t get a right to vote. The Vietnamese don’t get a right to vote. When you’re in a country like that, the government tells you how to vote or your (expletive) is grass. … Some people forget all that, but I don’t.”

Although they didn’t come to Salem Covenant Church together, Jeannelly Deschamps and Bob Quinlivan agreed it’s important to come out to the polls to show support for a preferred candidate — Trump for Deschamps and Biden for Quinlivan.

“I want change in the country,” Deschamps said.

“It’s a vote against Trump,” Quinlivan countered.

Like her counterpart at Salem Covenant Church, AnnMarie Mero, one of the wardens working the polling station inside the Burncoat High School gymnasium, said Tuesday morning turnout has been “pretty good,” where a few people waited for the polls to open at 7 a.m.

Outside the gymnasium, after casting her vote, Miriam Rogers Montalvo didn't mince words about her political views.

“I felt it was important not to have Donald Trump,” Montalvo said. “I’m here to support my sister Nikki Haley. Even though I tend more Democratic, Trump could be the worst thing for the country. So that’s why I’m here.”

When asked about the perfect presidential candidate, Montalvo said the leader would have “moral integrity, certainly intelligence and an ability to walk across the (party) aisle.”

“If you’re super right or super left, you both still love your mother,” Montalvo said. “There’s much more in common than different.”

'I love this country'

A Vietnam native who has been in the United States for more than 30 years, Khai Tran cherishes the ability to vote freely while being well aware of the alternative.

“I love this country,” he said. “I want to make America great again.”

Comparing his homeland to his adopted country, Tran said Vietnam is “terrible, still Communist. America. Freedom…No choice in Vietnam.”

“I came out to vote today because we live in a democracy,” Francis “Frank” McKiernan said.

Proudly declaring himself a lifelong Democrat who voted for Biden, McKiernan said what he looks for in a candidate is integrity, good moral character and intelligence.

“I look at the president as a role model, in some ways, someone who I have confidence in, confidence and trust,” McKiernan said. “As he (Biden) said, although he didn’t originate the expression, ‘Don’t compare me to the almighty. Compare me to the alternative.”

Sutton: Will it be as close as last time?

SUTTON ― The polling location at Sutton High School saw a “steady turnout” for the presidential primary, according to Warden Debra Jacques.

During the 2020 presidential election, Sutton was one of the most closely contested towns in Massachusetts. Joe Biden won 3,091 votes in town, while Donald Trump won 3,081. But most voters who spoke to a reporter on Tuesday declined to reveal whom they were supporting this time around.

Kelly Clark did speak volumes about why she came out to vote and what she’s looking for in a president.

“I do think that this primary was very important because I wanted our voices to be heard and I don’t feel that they were in the previous election,” Clark said. “I came out to vote today because every vote makes a difference and I just want to make sure I am a part of that voting process.”

“I want somebody that has a strong moral compass. I want somebody that has a very, very good business sense to be able to navigate through all the problems and issues that we have,” Clark said. “And we have to make sure that he’s putting the people’s voices first and he is listening to all we have to say.”

Ned Bacon said his vote was a protest, as much as anything.

'In a world of hurt'

“I’m an independent. I feel incredibly strong that we can’t elect Donald Trump. I took a Republican ballot and voted for (Nikki) Haley, just because I want to get the numbers up for her,” Bacon said. “We’re in a world full of hurt in this country for so many reasons. It’s a hinge moment in history. It’s critical we get this right.”

Bacon said he is “baffled” by the presidential election as a whole.

“I think if either party had put up a young, dynamic candidate, they would have blown the other person out of the water,” Bacon said. “I think Biden has done a decent job, by the way. But, I think, if the Democrats had put up a robust, younger person, I don’t think this would be a contest now.”

Duncan Sorli and Melissa-Lee Sorli said that despite the scarcity of candidates, they felt the presidential primary held a “great deal more weight” than four years ago.

“We just want to make sure the right candidate gets through the primary,” Duncan Sorli said.

Saying that the country is in a “very precarious place” in its history, the Sorlis agreed that the “ability to lead, a grasp of the economy and world wide affairs, and strong personality” are the characteristics he looks for in a president.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Presidential primary: Enthusiasm a winner at the polls in Worcester