Wilmington Voters Praise Shriners As Polling Place

WILMINGTON, MA — Wilmington voters praised the town's conduct of the 2020 presidential election, in response to a callout from Patch.

Whether they voted by mail or in person, voters said that it was easy and quick, with no challenges.

Massachusetts expanded voting methods in 2020 in response to the coronavirus, allowing two weeks of early voting and giving all voters the option of voting by mail, without an excuse. New procedures were also put in place for in-person voting, including additional cleaning, to reduce the risk of the virus.

In Wilmington, all voters cast their in-person ballots at the Shriners Auditorium, for the first time. Voters said they were happy with the change.

"Easy and very well put together," Gregory Jordan said. "Probably the best voting experience in a long time."

"Voting at Shriners was very organized," Deanna Bicchieri Spinosa said. "I was in and out in about 10 minutes."

"Voting at Shriners was quick and easy," Carla Crognale Ientile said. "Wish we could vote there every election!"

The town beat its 2016 turnout by over 1,000 votes, with more than 80 percent of registered voters casting ballots. Wilmington voters backed Democrats up and down the ballot, pulling the lever for former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Ed Markey, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton and state Rep. Dave Robertson.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.