Newton Voter Turnout: 2012 vs. 2008

With reports of long lines at polling locations across the state, all signs pointed to strong voter turnout in Massachusetts for yesterday's state election. 

But how many Newton residents made it out to vote? And how did it compare to 2008?

According to the Newton Election Commission's unofficial results, 78 percent of Newton's registered voters made it out to the polls yesterday, or 45,201 voters out of 57,700 registered. 

This is a slight drop in turnout from the 2008 presidential election, where 80.75 percent voted, or 44,720 of the 55,381 registered at that time.

During yesterday's election, Ward 5, Precincts 3 and 4 had the highest turnout, with 84 percent of the registered voters making it to the polls. Ward 7, Precinct 3 had the lowest turnout with 66 percent voting.

Without much surprise, Newton voters headed to the polls yesterday and showed their strong support for the Democratic Party; all Democratic candidates won Newton handily, with almost every candidate taking 70 percent of the vote or more.

As for the ballot questions, Newton also made its choice clear, as all three binding questions passed easily as well as the non-binding Questions 4 and 5. 

A table with Newton's total votes (based on unofficial results) is included below:

Obama-Biden

Elizabeth Warren

Joseph Kennedy III