Massachusetts Ballot Question Results: Marijuana Legalization, Charter School Kibosh And More

Democrats in Massachusetts are stunned after watching Donald Trump achieve an apparent presidential victory in the wee hours of Wednesday morning after the Bay State delivered Clinton a predictable, resounding win early Tuesday night.

Massachusetts voters turned out in droves Tuesday, streaming to the polls to support Clinton, legalize weed in the Bay State and shut down efforts to expand charter schools.

But while those state ballot initiatives stirred excitement, even in Massachusetts many marked their presidential ballot with fingers pinched firmly over their noses.

• Read More: Marijuana Legalized in Massachusetts; Question 4 Passes
• Read More: Charter Schools Lose Battle; Yes on 2 Campaign 'Disappointed'

"I got to get this over with," early voter Sandy Lane told Danvers Patch, laughing. "I don't want to hear from either one of [the presidential candidates] anymore."

Lane recalled voting for John F. Kennedy in 1960, and the excitement she felt when casting her first ballot for Massachusetts’ native son. That feeling was not a part of the 2016 electoral experience.

This year, she said, "It's just name calling."

Where Lane, like many in Massachusetts, lacked enthusiasm for the presidential race, she made up for it with excitement for the ballot questions.

She was back outside the polls in Danvers Tuesday morning, holding a sign supporting Question 5 – a ballot question concerning Danvers’ Community Preservation Act.

Presidential Race: Get the National Results as They Come In

Patch has the rundown on how the state voted on all of its big ballot initiatives and local races Tuesday night below, plus on-the-ground reports from towns around the state where our Patch readers shared their thoughts and opinions on this historic election.

Truly Fed Up? Here's How to Move to Canada

President

As of midnight, unofficial results put Clinton at more than 60 percent of the vote statewide, Trump at roughly 34 percent and Libertarian Gary Johnson trailing with 4.5 percent.

It's an unsurprising coup for Clinton in a deep blue state she called home during her formative years, attending Wellesley University and later working at Cambridge's Children's Defense Fund.

Read more about Clinton's early years in the Bay State here.

While many may have held their noses, other voters proudly cast what they hoped would be a history-making ballot for the country's first woman president. Faith Allen walked to the Milford polls hand-in-hand with her six-year-old daughter, Ainsley. A graduate of Clinton's alma mater, Wellesley, Allen told Patch she's been confident in her vote from Day One.

“If I can not shed tears in the voting booth, I will be happy,” she said. “This is a vote for her, not against someone else.”

Others who may have felt like outsiders in Massachusetts proved themselves to be less than isolated on a national level. That includes Matthew Langille, a Reading Memorial High School graduate and Trump supporter who planted himself outside his polling place Tuesday, wearing a a "Make America Great" hat and Trump scarf, button, and coat.

Meanwhile, Gov. Charlie Baker opted not to fill in that bubble at all.

In Waltham, John Baer and his wife submitted their ballots at Fitzgerald School. For the 63-year-old former innkeeper, this election was a case of "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone."

"It made me think fondly of presidents we've had in the past that I couldn't stand at the time," Baer told Patch. "I feel like I shouldn't have to be in a moment like this."

Hugh Merisier, a 21-year-old Haitian native, student at Bentley University and first-time voter, struck a sunnier tone. On the one hand, he told Patch, the tone of the campaign–"more of a sport than an election"–surprised him. Nonetheless, he said, it could be much worse.

"In Haiti, the election is actually rigged and corrupt," Merisier said. "Here I finally felt like I had a choice."

A man with a British accent in Charlestown posed for a photo with his precinct's "Vote here" sign, but wrinkled his nose when asked to share an opinion on his first U.S. election experience.

"Nothing I would want to see printed," he said with disgust, "and you can print that."

Ballot Question Results

The "Yes on 2" campaign effectively conceded its bid for to raise the cap on charter schools in Massachusetts just before 10:30 p.m., with roughly 40 percent of votes counted.

Question 3 has also been decided, with a "yes" for certain space requirements for caged livestock. While only one Massachusetts farm would be impacted, the ballot initiative also enforces those restrictions on retail sales of meat and eggs from outside the state, as well.

Question 1 suffered a commanding loss, blocking a developer's bid to build a second slots parlor and hotel, likely in Revere.

Question 4 was called as a win for legalization supporters, after a nail-biting start in the polls. It legalizes and taxes marijuana in the state, in addition to the creation of a state commission that will oversee the new law.

Results: Congress

All Democratic incumbent congressmen in competitive races won handily Tuesday.

• Massachusetts' 4th Congressional District has been called for incumbent Democrat Joe Kennedy, who has represented the district since 2013.
• U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas has handily won re-election in Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District.
• In the Cape Cod area, another incumbent Democratic Congressman, Bill Keating, took a win for a fourth term in Congress.
• And South Boston Congressman Stephen Lynch retook his 8th District seat over Republican challenger Bill Burke.

Results: Essex County Sheriff's Race

Lynn Police Chief Kevin Coppinger will be the next Essex County Sheriff, winning the race over three opponents, two Independents and one Republican. It's the first new sheriff in the area in two decades. Read the full story here.

Local Results: Somerville High School

In Somerville, voters approved a ballot question that green lights the most expensive high school in the state. According to the unofficial results, 66 percent of voters approved the debt exclusion for the school. Read the full story here.

Local Results: Question 5

One of several local ballot questions that would funnel more dollars toward community preservation projects got a "yes" in Boston, but lost in Danvers.

Supporters of the initiative in Boston called a victory just before 9:30 p.m. Read updates from that story here.

It was defeated by just over 3,000 votes in Danvers despite vocal support, preliminary results show. Patch will be updating this section, as more municipalities weigh in on ballot questions of their own. Read the full story.

Tuesday's Must-Read Stories

• Gov. Charlie Baker has cast his ballot, weighing in on all four statewide ballot questions but leaving one important box blank: his pick for president of the United States. Here's why.
• Sally Lane was excited when she cast her vote for JFK in 1960. That enthusiasm is lacking now.
• Donald Trump told supporters at a rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, last night that Tom Brady had called to say he voted for him. While Brady hasn't said either way, it does appear he voted Monday in Brookline.
• Read the story of a Reading voter who spent this afternoon Standing Alone for Trump.
• And in Newton, on man became a citizen of the United States at 3 o'clock this afternoon, then turned around and voted in his first election. Read the story.

Recap, On-the-Ground Updates from Around MA:

10:30 p.m.

From Mass. Democratic Party event in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, a Clinton supporter, spoke with Patch about the race so far:

7:12 p.m.

In Worcester, voter Timothy Santana said he deliberated long and hard in his vote for Clinton.

"I voted for the person, and I didn't vote for the fads. I observed and put the good together and the bad together. I didn't judge on personality," he told Patch. "Some people are meant to lead nations. Some people are meant to lead Planet Fitness, and others a continent."

Meanwhile, fellow Worcester voter Chris Delaney broke for Trump, saying his decision came down in part to Republicans' track record on defense spending.

"I'm a big believer in defense. Republicans put more money into that. And Massachusetts is where all the defense companies are," he said. "At work, no one wanted to talk about it. They asked on the company board to put who you voted for; no one wrote anything."

5:15 p.m.

In Charlestown, traffic that slowed at the polls this afternoon was picking up again near the end of the workday. One first-time voter made a point of smiling for a photo in front of the "Vote Here" sign in front of the Zelma Lacey House polling place. When asked for an interview about this year's election, he wrinkled his nose in apparent disgust.

"Nothing I would want to see printed — and you can print that," he said.

4:30 p.m.

The Westborough High School polling place saw a steady stream of residents poured in, with election officials there calling it a "huge success." According to one estimate, 80 percent or more of the town's registered voters had cast their ballot, counting early voters.

One resident, Kyle Bell, told Westborough Patch it was "safe to say" he's voting for Clinton.

"Trump just made some remarks so that I knew I didn't want that guy representing us as a whole," he said. "I was in Paris in late August, and people were laughing and asking questions to me about Trump. The whole world would laugh at us if he were president."

3:58 p.m.

In Reading, Trump supporter Matthew Langille planted himself outside the polling place Tuesday, wearing a a "Make America Great" hat and Trump scarf, button and coat. Read more: Standing Alone for Trump

3:45 p.m.

Faith Allen of Milford, a graduate from Wellesley College, walked hand-in-hand toward the the voting booths in her town. When asked, she said she was confidently headed to cast her vote for Hillary Clinton, and she’s been “with her” from Day One. “If I can not shed tears in the voting booth, I will be happy,” she said. “This is a vote for her, not against someone else.”

2:45 p.m.

One voter submitted this sweet gesture, seen in Boston. Josh Gee took this photo outside the Asian Community Development Corp., where a group of young students were handing out notes and candy at the entrance. The gesture touched Gee, who wrote: "We're 200 years into the American experiment. Cynicism is easy. Hope, optimism, and progress is hard."

1:47 p.m.

Gov. Charlie Baker has cast his ballot, weighing on all four statewide ballot questions, but leaving one important box blank: his pick for president of the United States. Here's why.

1:20 p.m.

Ray Webb (right) stands with Arthur Muldoon at the Ahern Middle School in Foxborough. Webb said Clinton is "the best way to take us forward and reduce the animosity between people." Muldoon, a former stone setter at Trump Tower, said, "I agree with that. I worked at Trump Tower when it was built so I know he has no qualifications. He's lucky to have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth."

1:10 p.m.

Spirits are high on the North Shore, where folks in Peabody and Danvers are just relieved it's over on their end.

1 p.m.

Easy doings at Framingham, where it was in and out at McCarthy Elementary.

12:56 p.m.

Folks campaigning in Wilmington, where people are walking in and out.

12:46 p.m.

Matt Hannon, 17, keeping a tradition of holding signs that he's had with his dad since he was 9. This homemade one rings a bit different than past efforts. Why? "Since I can't vote, I want to make an impression on others. We don't need another four years of this"

12:45 p.m.

Strong turnout at polls in Waltham.

We're updating quick-hits from across the state based on reports from staff and readers. Check back here for updates throughout the day, and election results on Tuesday evening.

12:40 p.m.

Polls at Downtown Boston seem quiet. We're off to Charlestown!

12:22 p.m.

Leaving Foxborough, where 25 percent had voted, not including early voting.

12:15 p.m.

Donald Trump told supporters at a rally in Manchester, New Hampshire last night that Tom Brady had called to say he voted for him. While Brady hasn't said either way, it does appear he voted Monday in Brookline.

11:31 a.m.

Rep. Ted Speliotis handing out nail files at Danvers poll.

11 a.m.

No line at the Tewksbury Senior Center, but still solid turnout.

10:10 a.m.

Bit of a line in some North Reading locations, but not a terrible wait.

Meanwhile, Sally Lane of Danvers was excited when she voted for JFK in 1960. That enthusiasm is lacking today.

9:35 a.m.

Already, former Massachusetts governor and current Libertarian Party vice presidential candidate Bill Weld has cast his ballot in Canton, where he resides. Weld told reporters there he hopes his adopted party receives at least five percent of the vote.

9:15 a.m.

Reports of quick and easy, in-and-out voting in multiple Quincy locations.

6:55 a.m.

Healthy turnout in Somerville as lines stretch nearly 200 people deep, according to one voter.

You can still learn more about all four statewide ballot questions and find out how much money each campaign took in.

Additionally, Patch wants to know. Did you experience problems at the polls in your community? Long lines? Trouble finding your polling place? Whatever it is, we want to know. Share your experiences by signing up for the Electionland Project. Just text ELECTIONLAND to 69866 to participate and tell us about your experience voting. We’ll find out what, if anything, went wrong in your district.

Top photo, by various Patch staff, shows Massachusetts voters and their families

Patch reporters Taylor Rapalyea, Alex Newman, Dan Libon, Joel Lipovich, Charlene Arsenault, Mike Carraggi and Sarah Betancourt contributed to this report.