"If the Kennedys can do it, that's a good direction for us to take," Leahy said.

Political activists circulated petitions at various polling locations.

Chip W. Hellar '96 was circulating a petition at the Peabody School precinct to use money from the gasoline tax to finance road and bridge repairs and create jobs.

"I was contracted to do this petition, but I believe in it," he said.

Evelyn N. Godinho circulated an initiative outside the Harrington School precinct to create a graduated income tax in Massachusetts.

"I belong to TEAM [Tax Equity Alliance for Massachusetts]," Godinho said. "The Massachusetts tax system is stacked against the middle class and the poor."

One Cambridge police officer was stationed at each precinct to ensure that proper election procedures were followed.

Patrol officer Jay P. Lyons, stationed at the Youville Hospital, said he enjoys the change of pace that an Election Day provides.

"It's been pretty quiet, but I don't mind it," Lyons said. "My main function is to keep [campaign supporters] 150 feet from the buildings, but they have been very orderly."

Now candidates must wait to see the election results tabulated under Cambridge's proportional representation system.

"We have a very arcane counting system," Schaub said. "It takes a week until we learn who's been voted in."