The American Legion in Waterville and City Hall in Skowhegan were packed late Tuesday afternoon, the parking lots were full and the lines of people stretched outside into the cold November night before the polls closed at 8 p.m.

As voters left the polls with red, white and blue stickers saying “I voted,” they shared their thoughts about some of the issues that mattered most to them.

Many supporters of President Barack Obama said they were happy with how the Democrat has run the country and thought he could accomplish more in another four years.

“I think Obama is more in touch with us regular people,” said Democrat Sharon Provost, 62, of Skowhegan.

“I think he’s done a great job so far and can accomplish more in another four years,” said Courtney Kronillis, 22, of Skowhegan.

Meanwhile, supporters of Republican Mitt Romney cited his fiscal and economic policies for drawing their support for his presidency.

“I voted for Romney because I like his fiscal conservatism,” said Republican John Millibrand, 68, of Waterville.

Although both major party candidates have taken a stance on same-sex marriage, a vote for it did not seem to necessarily mean a vote for one candidate or another.

Republican John Dudley, 42, of Skowhegan, said he voted for Mitt Romney but also supports same-sex marriage in Maine.

“I think Romney has a better economic plan,” he said. “But I did vote yes for same-sex marriage. I think everybody should have an equal opportunity to marry. My social views are a little more liberal, but I think Romney has better financial plans.”

Republican Stan McGray, 67, of Skowhegan voted just the opposite — for Obama, but against same-sex marriage.

“I voted for Obama because I want to give him another chance. He needs more time to accomplish things,” he said.

“I voted no for same-sex marriage because that is my personal opinion, although I have nothing against gay rights,” he said.

“I voted in favor of same sex marriage because I think its inevitable. It will be legal in all states eventually so we should be progressive and give these people their rights right now,” said Democrat Caroline McGourthy, 19, a student at Colby College from Wisconsin.

Democrat Al Surette, 44, of Skowhegan agreed. “I’ve seen a lot of marriages between men and women end in divorce and I think that if a gay couple can make a commitment they should be able to get married. Whether they should marry in the church, I don’t know, but I think the state can grant them that.”

“I voted no. I think marriage is a religious thing and that civil unions can grant the same rights and privileges. Its just a name. I object to the fact that they’re fighting so hard just for a name,” said Millibrand.

He said that aside from the presidential race, the race for U.S. Senate between former Gov. Angus King, an independent; Secretary of State Charlie Summers, a Republican; and state Rep. Cynthia Dill, D-Cape Elizabeth, was of particular importance to him.

“I was undecided until I stepped in the booth,” he said. “I wanted to make sure the Republicans maintain a majority in Congress, so I voted for Summers. I was debating between him and Angus King, but I wasn’t sure King would vote with the Republicans if elected.”

Rachel Ohm — 612-2368
rohm@mainetoday.com

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