More voters, less literature than usual: That was my unscientific impression this morning at my polling place, I.S. 113, a junior high in Fort Greene. The latter condition made sense — with only one competitive statewide race, for comptroller, the other candidates didn't bother spending money on handouts. The sole leafletter, though, wasn't even pushing the embattled Alan Hevesi. She was handing out palm cards for the Green Party ticket, and instructions, on pink paper, for how to register a write-in vote for city councilman Charles Barron in the Tenth Congressional District. Barron did surprisingly well in the September primary but couldn't topple incumbent Ed Towns.

The strong-ish turnout, however, was a surprise. At 9 a.m., I was voter No. 60 in my election district, a higher number than I usually draw. There were lines of roughly six to ten voters at all the other booths as well. Was it because angry Brooklyn Democrats saw this as their chance to send a message to Washington? A desire to give Hillary and Eliot whopping wins? A nice, warm November morning? The ample supply of doughnuts for sale at the PTA table outside the school gym?

— Chris Smith