BOSTON -- As setup crews, Kerry supporters, and the Federal Secret Service flooded Boston's Copley Square yesterday afternoon, many residents headed to the polls to elect the nation's executive leader for the next four years.
For much of the nation, uncertainty was in the air as to who would be inaugurated in January.
For Bostonian Jennifer Lowe, selecting a presidential candidate was coupled with uncertainty as to when election results would become officially clear.
"I pray my candidate has a great chance [at victory] tonight," Lowe said."But my gut feeling is that we won't know tonight. Maybe within a week -- not a month. But maybe I'm being too optimistic."
Lowe said voting at Boston's Public Library on Boylston Street went smoothly using paper ballots.
Donning star-studded pants, and waving Bush-Cheney flyers at Copley Square yesterday was Bill Donovan. Donovan, an elderly Bostonian, drew a small crowd of people lining up to be photographed with him. He said he was making a statement promoting Bush at Kerry's Election night headquarters.
"I think [the election] is getting so close that you have to be out there," Donovan said, adding that the election results that night would be, "close, but you'll never know who the hell we'll get."
Federal Secret Service presence at the square was ominous. As metal detectors were set up, calls from the PA system went out at 2:15 p.m. for all press to vacate the premises for a security sweep of the perimeter.
Yet amid all of the attention garnered to the presidential race, one University alumnus had a personal stake in yesterday's results.
Richard Babson, a 1981 College graduate, described himself as an "openly gay, pro-same sex marriage, pro-choice progressive Republican" running for the Massachusetts House of Representatives for the Eighth Suffolk District.
"It's pretty amazing being a part of the political process," Babson said, adding that the experience gives him more respect for candidates on the campaign trail. "It boggles my mind for candidates to be able to campaign on a national scale."
While Babson described his victory chances as "50-50," his opponent, Democrat Marty Walz was more confident.
"My chances [at victory] are excellent," Walz said. "I'm feeling good about the race and making sure to get every vote I possibly can."
Walz carried the district by 75 percent with 11,872 votes. Babson trailed with 23 percent, or 3,661 votes, according to The Boston Globe.
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