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October 24, 2016

Early voting starts around Massachusetts

Antonio Caban/SHNS A long line of voters formed within moments of the polls opening at Boston City Hall on Monday.

A line of people snaked through the lobby at Boston City Hall on Monday, one of hundreds of early voting sites throughout the state.

Dion Irish, chair of Boston's Board of Election Commissioners, said people started lining up as early as 8 a.m., one hour before the polling place opened on the first day of early voting in Massachusetts.

"People are excited. They want to be first," said Irish, who also told the News Service that things are running smoothly.

At 9:24 a.m., voters were wrapped around display cases near the security area and up the main staircase, waiting to be called up to a table where they could check-in. Voters then entered another line that led to voting booths.

Jose Torche of Boston, who had just cast his ballot, said he had a pleasant experience, but had a difficult time seeing the ballot because the area where the booths were placed were not well lit. Another voter, Erin DeCurtis of Boston, said that although the long line made her experience slow, the process was "simple" and "excellent" overall.

Within 25 minutes of opening the polls, 62 people had cast ballots, according to Irish.

Early voting runs through Friday, Nov. 4 before voting takes a break for three days and resumes in the traditional manner on Election Day, Nov. 8.

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