Somewhere in that sea of people was our former reporter Jen Thomas, who’s earning her master’s in journalism in Chicago. Jen was lucky enough to get tickets into the massive, million-strong party crowd that flooded into Chicago’s Grant Park on Tuesday night to greet the nation’s next president. Here’s a few photos she took. We’ll have more posted tomorrow.

Berkshire County was in agreement with the rest of the state this election, supporting Obama for president and Kerry for another term. It also rejected the controversial Question 1 and supported both a measure decriminalizing pot and one banning dog racing in the state. They also helped Olver to another term in the U.S. House.

Obama won walking away, 4,510 to McCain’s 1,202, in North Adams. Kerry, similarly, defeated challenger Jeff Beatty by 4,755 to 812. Olver was the victor over Bech, 4,872 to 873. Merrigan outpolled challenger Franke for the Governor’s council, 4,506 to 807.

On the questions:

Question 1: yes, 1084; no, 4,650

Question 2: Yes, 3,392; no, 2,364

Question 3: Yes, 3,731; no, 2,027

Both Pittsfield and North Adams appear to be in line with statewide results. With nearly 60 percent of precincts reporting in, The Boston Globe says Question 1 has failed, again, to pass. Not so for Question 2 and Question 3 – both proposals are on track to pass.

That will mean being caught with less than an ounce of pot will mean a fine, not criminal charge. It also appears to mean the end of dog racing in the state of Massachusetts. Only two tracks were left, both in the east end of the state. The closest track to the Berkshires was Green Mountain Park, which closed more than two decades ago.

It also means the state budget is save, for now. Question 1 would have eliminated the state’s 5.3 percent income tax over two years, something local and state officials have consistently described as “devastating.” State officials say it would have reduced the budget by some $12.5 billion – slicing through educational, public safety and social service programs.

Opponents said state spending could do with some dieting and claimed the cuts were exaggerated and no services would be curtailed. But voters thought otherwise – possibly because of the obvious effects of Gov. Patrick’s $1 billion in cuts just a few weeks ago. A thousand jobs and hundreds of thousands in grants and funding was slashed, hitting local programs.

In Cheshire, which had impressive turnout nearing 80 percent, Obama won handily, although McCain had slightly stronger support than in other towns.

The Arizona senator captured 507 votes to Obama’s 1,304. Nader picked up 36. Voters also decisively defeated Question 1, 1,361 to 488.

Clarksburg also had turnout of 80 percent, the highest in recent memory according to poll worker Phil Fosser, who couldn’t remember the number of voters reaching 900 before. It was 902, to be exact, with a peaceful 20 minutes ending a day that began at 7 with a line at the door.

Obama won 632 votes to McCain’s 236. Kerry picked up a decisive win with 684 over Beatty’s 160 and Underhill’s 41. Olver won 705-166 against Bech.

Clarksburg also rejected Question 1 ( 763-133) and accepted Question 3 (492-386) but bucked the county trend to defeat Question 2 (452-422).

Towns throughout the county appeared to be following a trend: Obama, Kerry, Olver. Question 1 was a nonstarter and voters stood by their best friends by supporting Question 3. Question 2, despite opposition by leading law enforcement, health, religious and community leaders, also passed muster, especially in Great Barrington.

It was the scene of the notorious “Taconic 17″ case, in which 17 teens and young adults were charged in trafficking and possession of pot as a the result of yearlong investigation that had some parents up in arms. Great Barrington passed the measure to decriminalize small amounts of the illegal drug 2,478 to 1,114.

Not surprisingly, Obama soared to victory in Pittsfield, taking 14, 503 votes to McCain’s 4,085 with 13 of 14 precincts reporting. Kerry and Olver are posting similar numbers. What’s surprising is that Question 2, on the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana, is winning 2-1 in Pittsfield – 18,954 to 7,970.

Question 1, on the elimination of the income tax, failed more than 5 to 1; a ban on greyhound racing is passing, 3-1. Pittsfield is decisive in its decisions – no close calls here. Thanks to Berkshire News Network for providing returns.

Numbers from North Adams haven’t come in yet and it will be awhile before the small towns begin reporting.

Those predictions saying the voting public would break records today will definitely include Berkshire County.

By early this afternoon, at least half of the registered voters at polling stations around the county had voted. Williamstown voters had cast just over 2,000 ballots; there are some 4,300 registered voters in town.  Stockbridge was at the halfway point a little before 4 p.m. and Cheshire, well, you had to see it to believe it.

There was a constant stream of traffic in and out of the Senior Center on School Street. Town Clerk Christine Emerson said the flow had been steady all day. Just before 6, about 1,700 people had voted. How many does the town have? 2,358

Cheshire had hit the 70 percent mark a full two hours before the polls closing. Let’s hear a cheer for Cheshire, which seemed to be rushing toward 90 percent (at least).

I stopped a few voters to get their reasons for coming to the polls today. Was it the presidential election? Those controversial ballot initiatives? All but one, a woman, said they voted regularly. “I never voted until a woman ran for president,” she said, crediting Hillary Clinton’s run for the nomination as inspiring her to register.

Of course, it’s not just Berkshire County that’s turning out; some 30 percent of voters in nearly 40 states have already voted over the past week or by absentee ballot. Get-out-the-vote efforts have been going on all 50 states and the territories over the past month by both parties.

With Massachusetts safely blue, the local Democrats have been calling into the swing states urging presumed Barack Obama supporters to vote. They’ve also been heading out to help canvass in swing states, including nearby New Hampshire. I talked with some of the people who have been manning the phones all day (and over the past week) and I’ll update later with what they had to say.

For now, I’m off to Clarksburg and Williamstown, before heading to Freight Yard Pub to watch the returns – and keep you informed.

Our media partner, Berkshire News Network, will also be covering local returns from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on WUPE 100.1 FM and 96.5 AM on the dial.

Above, voters wait in line in Cheshire; below, signs prompt people along to prevent backups.

While waiting for the college van, Deborah Anbroseno, 20, of Dennis, said she was excited to vote in her first Presidential election. The junior also said all of her roommates had either sent absentee ballets or were planning on voting after their classes later this evening.

She spoke favorably of the college providing rides for students: “[The rides] are especially beneficial for freshmen who don’t have cars on campus,” said Anbroseno.

The shuttle service, sponsored by the college’s student government association, student development, residential programs and services, and MASSPIRG, will take students to Ward 2 and Ward 3 until 8 p.m.

- Lyndsay DeBord

Note: We have news that just over 2,000 people voted in Williamstown by noon.

Having worked in Pittsfield for number of years, I’ve come to anticipate the blooming of signs every election. Yet here we are, with a historic election and controversial ballot initiatives and no signs at the Coltsville Corner or Park Square. One brave woman stood alone at the Park Square intersection urging people to vote to ban greyhound racing. She was lost in the din of the traffic.

A sadly vacant Park Square.

Where is the noisy, colorful cheering that welcomed motorists into Berkshires biggest city? Is everyone so sure of the outcome they’re not bothering? Or is it just to nice a day to stand in the sun with a sign?

Anybody have an answer?

Update: All the sign action was on Monday. Everybody was at the polls today, I was informed. I could have sworn I’d driven by signholders on Election Day before but I must be misremembering, or my mind is going.

I still don’t think there were as many signs as in past years. I didn’t get to all the polls but the half-dozen I hit had few signholders when I was there – and even fewer of them GOP.

Below, a couple GOP signs in Williamstown.

District Attorney David Capeless took to the streets in Adams this afternoon to rally against Question 2, which would decriminalize possession of small amounts of pot. Capeless has made drug enforcement a priority during his tenure.

Just leaving St. Anthony’s Parish Center in North Adams, which has seen a steady stream of voters since early\ this morning.

Three ladies who declined to give their names or presidential preference said they were regular voters and,   besides, it was “a beautiful day to vote.” It certainly. This fall day seems more like spring and I’m seeing more t-shirts than overcoats.  But, said one, “it will be more beautiful if the right candidate wins.”

Polling officials say they’re seeing lots of new faces and first-time voters. One young woman was congratulated as she cast her first ballot ever.

Off to South County after a load of technical troubles kept us northbound for too long.

The polls opened at 7 a.m. this morning and city and town clerks are bracing for an influx of voters as the day goes on. Adams and Williamstown were reported busy with lighter voting in North Adams.

City Clerk Jody Phillips is predicting a 70 percent turnout in Pittsfield. That would be on par with projections of 68 percent or higher nationwide from National Geographic.

The McCain-Obama election “will have the highest turnout since 1908,” which saw 66 percent of eligible voters at the polls, McDonald predicted.

In the tiny town of Stamford, Vt., there was a line at the door when the polls opened at 8 a.m.  There’s usually been a few people waiting, but “It’s the first time I’ve ever had a line,” said Town Clerk Nancy Bushika, giving a little fist pump.

In addition to the presidential race, Vermont has races for every statewide office, which is also likely to push turnout. In Massachusetts, also a comfortably blue state, the Question 1 initiative to eliminate the state income tax may drive voters to the polls.

It’s unlikely we’ll have the massive lines seen in early voting in select states across the nation, but if you have trouble voting – or not – let us know and we’ll pass the word along.

Post a comment on your Election Day experiences or e-mail us at info@iberkshires.com.  See a long line? Snap a photo and send it to us.