Braintree Voting in Large Numbers, Moving Efficiently Through Polls

Turnout in Braintree could exceed the numbers seen four years ago, Town Clerk Joe Powers reported earlier today, saying that 39 percent of registered voters had cast ballots by mid-day.

In 2008, when President Barack Obama became the nation's first black president, Braintree saw 76 percent turnout. As he faces Republican challenger Mitt Romney today, that number could approach 80 percent, Powers said.

Evening voting remained brisk at polls throughout town, with large numbers of residents moving through but few lines.

PTO members at Ross Elementary School said that the group's bake sale fundraiser broke the record set in 2008 by about 3 p.m.

"We couldn't do it without the parents at Ross," said Dawn O'Malley, a member of the PTO's hospitality committee.

The members had been at the polls since before 7 a.m. and expect to raise as much as $1,500 on Tuesday for school technology.