Allyn Hammel of Burke began working as an election officer over ten years ago and then was promoted to chief election officer for the 2008 presidential election. She described the voter traffic at West Springfield High School as “steady.”

With students home from school for a holiday, Hammel thought that may have brought a few more voters out during the day than usual, enough to “keep us busy” as election officers.

Hammel was appreciative of the all-paper ballots and single scanner, which she said goes “much faster” than machines in the past and provides “more record,” in addition to a jump drive with results that her precinct will upload along with others in the county.

“It’s good civic duty,” Hammel said of her role as chief. “I get to see all the neighbors, work with good people as other election officers. It’s a good thing to do.”