By: Alexandra Cowley
acowley@abc6.com
Voters are hitting the polls across Massachusetts today, it's Primary day. This is the first election since the state's new congressional districts were created, cutting the state's representatives from ten to nine. This splits Barney Frank's old district in two, the 4th and the 9th.
In the new 9th district, Congressman Bill Keating is facing a challenge in the Democratic Primary from Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter.
Voters had a few things to get used to today. Heading to the ballot on a Thursday instead of a Tuesday, and voting in the new congressional districts in the state.
Out in Fall River, supporters held their signs and voters trickled into the polling place.
Warden of Precinct 3, Sharon Dahlstrom says, "I do believe we'll see anywhere between 25 and 35 percent of the voters turn out today."
After the redistricting, voters are seeing a new 9th district on the ballot for the first time, splitting Fall River in half. The split gives the Spindle City two representatives in Congress. That district stretches out to the Cape.
The change has prompted mixed feelings.
Fall River voter Geri Anger says, "I think basically we lost a lot with the redistricting, we lost a lot of our reps and it took away a little bit."
In that District are incumbent William Keating and District Attorney Sam Sutter. Keating was drawn into the 8th district, but moved so he would be in the 9th congressional district. The polls are open until 8pm Thursday night.
Stay with ABC 6 News for continuing coverage.
