Ballots on the go; Voting in stores goes smoothly.

Byline: Linda Bock 

WORCESTER- Convenience took on a whole new meaning yesterday as city voters became the first in the state to cast ballots in grocery stores.

In an office space above the checkout area of Super Stop & Shop on Grafton Street, poll workers at Ward 5, Precinct 4 tallied 361 votes around 5:30 p.m., and said things were going smoothly.

The 362nd vote was cast by Michael Gregoire, who said it was no problem making the transition from the Grafton Street fire station to the supermarket. A union member who works for Verizon, Mr. Gregoire said it wasn't a big deal voting in a supermarket, but said it felt a little different.

"It seems more official when you're in a fire station," he said.

But if it gets more people to vote, then so be it, he added, although he said he votes in every election.

"I'll vote in someone's backyard if that's where I'm supposed to vote," he said.

Registered voters in four precincts were assigned to new polling places in grocery stores for yesterday's state primary election. People in those precincts were among the 48,000 registered voters reassigned to new polling places in time for the election.

In addition to Ward 5, Precinct 4 voters, registered voters in Ward 1, Precinct 5 cast ballots in the Price Chopper Supermarket, 72 Pullman St.; voters in Ward 5, Precinct 3 cast ballots in Big Y World Class Supermarket, 50 Southwest Cutoff; and voters in Ward 7, Precinct 2 cast ballots in Shaw's Supermarket, 68 Stafford St.

Though the polling places changed for many registered voters, the routine was the same: Check-in with address and name, receive a ballot, cast votes in small booths, check-out, and than place ballot in the machine to be tallied.

At the Big Y, Dottie Doyle and Patricia Ronco checked in voters and John Ronco and Ellen Choiniere checked them out while clerk Timothy Ryan and warden Sharron Ryan oversaw the election, as well as ensuring the transition went smoothly. The new polling place was tucked into what is usually the flower department in the front corner of the store.

By 8:30 a.m., 34 people had voted. The old polling place for the precinct's 2,266 registered voters was Lake Park Community House.

"It's going very well," Ms. Ryan said.

She said they were ready for the first voter when the grocery store opened at 7.

"The store has been very cooperative," she said.

Only one person yesterday morning was surprised to see the polling place in the grocery store, according to election officials.

Some people just popped in to cast their ballot, and others shopped after voting.

Ms. Ryan said the same number of voting booths were available, as well as a handicapped-accessible voting booth.

Mary Arpin, accompanied by her 4-year-old, ran in to vote after dropping her other children at school and ran right out after voting. She said she learned of the change in her polling place when the city sent her a postcard to remind her.

"It's much more convenient," Ms. Arpin said. "And parking is better, too."

Lance Crowley also voted yesterday morning, and said the change in polling place did not matter to him, "Except I live across from the Stop & Shop."

He needed a bag of apples, so he shopped after voting.

William A. Hinson has been the assigned police officer to the precinct for 10 years, and he said the move has been excellent, notably the improved parking, with more handicapped parking spaces available.

Big Y store manager Kristy Haley and David Wright, safety manager for all Big Y stores in New England, were at the store to make sure it was properly prepared for voters and shoppers.

"We knew voters needed privacy and quiet," Ms. Haley said. "And we are concerned about safety."

After casting their ballots at Stop & Shop last night, Paul and Regina Lahair said it was a good idea to use the supermarkets for voting; Mr. Lahair said he hopes it saves the city some money. Like Mr. Gregoire, Mrs. Lahair said she makes it a habit to vote.

"I have an opinion and I want to express it," she said.

At Price Chopper, early voters of the precinct's 2,512 registered voters cast ballots in the cafe area with the smell of rotisserie chicken roasting. The cafe was temporarily relocated for the day.

Election warden Teresa Mahlert said voting in yesterday's primary election was slow so far, but good for a trial run of the new polling place.

City Clerk David J. Rushford, the city's elections chief, said every polling place in Worcester, including the 24 of the city's 50 polling places that changed, opened on time at 7 a.m.. He greeted voters and solicited their comments at a number of polling places.

"There was a little confusion, a little uneasiness, and a little anxiety this morning, as with all new change," Mr. Rushford said.

He said he would be monitoring all the polls throughout the day. There was one complaint, according to Mr. Rushford. There was some confusion when polls opened and the problem was quickly resolved, he said.

"I think people are really liking voting in grocery stores," Mr. Rushford said.

Steven H. Foskett Jr. of the Telegram & Gazette Staff contributed to this report.

ART: PHOTOS

CUTLINE: (1) Sandy Kelly votes while her 19-month-old son, Cayden Kelly, asks questions at the Big Y on Southwest Cutoff. (2) The Stop & Shop on Grafton Street was a polling place for yesterday's primary.

PHOTOG: (1) T&G Staff/DAN GOULD (2) T&G Staff/JIM COLLINS