After casting his ballot at the Hopkinton Middle High School on Tuesday, Mark Winzeler didn’t hold back.

“It’s the ugliest campaign I’ve ever witnessed,” said the 70-year-old. “All the political advertisements with shots against each other, I’m just appalled.”

An independent voter, Winzeler chose the Republican ballot this time around. When asked why, he explained he was determined to block certain Democratic candidates from winning.

On the other side was Kelly Smith, a 60-year-old Democrat. She said New Hampshire’s political campaigns are better than the mudslinging seen on the national stage.

“I think we play a cleaner game here,” she said.

Smith cast her vote for Maggie Goodlander in the Congressional District 2 race.

“I believe she genuinely cares about vulnerable communities and values diversity,” Smith noted.

However, when it came to the governor’s race, she found herself torn. Despite being drawn to Republican Kelly Ayotte’s national experience, Smith couldn’t vote for her since she chose the Democratic ballot.

At Hopkinton, voter turnout was steady.

Polling moderator Sara Persechino noted that Democratic ballots outnumbered Republican ones.

By 11 a.m., an additional 300 Democratic ballots had to be sent in, as the original 500 were being quickly used up.

Outside the polling station, a sea of blue signs supporting Democratic candidates filled the scene. Republican support was notably sparse in comparison.

For Winzeler, housing and reproductive rights were top priorities.

“A bunch of 80-year-old men saying what women should do with their bodies,” said Winzeler. “It’s taking a step back.”