On Tuesday, Nov. 4, when the polls closed in Bethel, the quiet hum inside the American Legion Hall shifted to a focused rhythm. Volunteers gathered on the floor and around tables, stacking ballots into neat piles, making sure each one fit into two boxes marked with the totals.

Tracy Walker watched the process unfold with a mix of relief and pride. With nine volunteers and two town workers by her side, she said her first election as Bethel town clerk had gone smoothly. Their success, she added, was a team effort.

While Bethel’s count went on without a hitch, other nearby towns weren’t as lucky. High winds had knocked out power in places like Fryeburg and Andover. Walker said she’d been ready for that possibility — a backup generator was on standby in case the Legion went dark, too.

And then there were the wasps. Every so often, one buzzed down from the ceiling tiles, an uninvited guest no one could do much about.

By the end of the long day, as the clock edged past the 8 p.m. closing time, election workers across Oxford County were wrapping up their own counts. New Woodstock Town Manager Tonya Lewis likely started her day before dawn. In Hanover, Ellie Andrews and Kelly Harrington tallied results. Deputy Town Clerk Amy Henley sent in numbers from Newry, and 21-year Town Manager Kim Sparks did the same in Greenwood.

Together, they marked another election day done — one long day, a few wasps and a lot of teamwork from volunteers behind the votes.

Bethel

Question 1:
Yes — 358
No — 740

Question 2:
Yes — 715
No — 383

Newry

Question 1:
Yes — 64
No — 119
Blank — 1

Question 2:
Yes — 112
No — 71
Blank — 1

Greenwood

Question 1:
Yes — 139
No — 229

Question 2:
Yes — 220
No — 148

Hanover

Question 1:
Yes — 49
No — 83

Question 2:
Yes — 83
No — 49

Woodstock

Question 1:
Yes — 234
No — 296

Question 2:
Yes — 254
No — 274