Barrington polling locations are experiencing very high voter turnout this year. In fact, the heavy voter traffic at Hampden Meadows School is resulting in some walk-outs.

According to Barrington resident Thomas Russell, who cast a ballot early on Tuesday, the line to check in before voting at Hampden Meadows School was so long that some people were leaving before they ever cast a ballot.

"The problem is that there are only two check in stations and that has created a bottleneck," said Mr. Russell, adding that only half the voting booths are being used.

Barrington Town Clerk Merrie DeSisto confirmed the long lines at Hampden Meadows School and said they are likely the result of multiple factors. She said there are more people turning out to vote this year, and there are some new workers at the polling locations.

In addition, there are a limited number of ePoll books being used at each location. Ms. DeSisto said the state Board of Elections decides how much equipment — ePoll books, vote-counting machines, etc. — to send to each polling location. She said each site in Barrington received 2-to-4 ePoll books. 

Ms. DeSisto said that the limited number of check-in stations may have been an intentional decision by the state. She said that in prior years, there had been back-ups where people insert their completed ballots into the vote-counting machines. She said that by limiting the number of check-in stations, it reduces the potential back-ups at the vote-counting machines. 

Mr. Russell said the limited number of check-in stations was having a detrimental impact on those waiting to cast a ballot — some people don't have time to wait and end up leaving without voting.

Heavy voter turnout was also reported at Barrington High School and Barrington Middle School during early voting on Tuesday.