Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More

Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts.

Please enter a valid zipcode.

​WORCESTER, Mass. - Rain jackets, umbrellas and rain boots are all things voters made sure they had on them before going to the polls Tuesday. 

"I know it's a little rainy," city clerk Niko Vangjeli said. "But of course, we've put a lot of effort into making sure election day happens."

Vangjeli said one of the busiest polling locations on the west side of Worcester typically gets about 1,000 voters in a primary, but the weather and an election the day after a holiday could factor into a person's decision to come out and vote.

"People would typically bring their kids to the polling location and make it a whole experience for kids," Vangjeli said. "With the rain, you might have a lower turnout unfortunately."

Paula Sommer helps check voters in at Congregation Beth Israel where there are three voting precincts. While the weather doesn’t help, primary day may be slower because of the opportunity to vote early or by mail.

"It’s been steady considering the weather," Sommer said. "We have had a couple of drowned rats coming in and they've come in, hooray!"

Sommer started working the election day polls 10 years ago. Her day starts at seven in the morning and she stays until polls close. She said her devotion to the democratic process and helping others get their voices heard keeps her coming back to work elections every year. 

"I am very passionate about voting," Sommer said. "This is supposed to be a democracy."

A lot of voters have new polling locations because of statewide redistricting. Before this election there were 50 locations across the city of Worcester, now there are 62.