Signs of record voter turnout for primary

By Bryan Bender, Globe Staff

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- If the scene at Brookside Congregational Church -- Manchester's largest polling station -- is any indication, today's New Hampshire primary will bring a record turnout -- especially among first-time voters.

"It has been steady heavy all day," said Herb Pence, a church volunteer who has worked on election day at least a dozen times. "It wasn't intense like this before -- on both sides, Republican and Democrat."

A stream of voters has been arriving since the polls opened, and the church parking was packed at midday. Many voters are lingering about after casting their ballots to talk with the large number of reporters and to commiserate with campaign volunteers holding signs for their candidate at the proscribed distance from the polling station entrance.

The turnout in Manchester's First Ward appeared to be especially high for those who have not participated before: while there was a significant line for "registered voters" in the church basement, the line for "new voters" was far longer, snaking around the stairs.

"This is the biggest we have ever seen," said poll worker Kimberly Hardwick.