A downtown Northampton, Massachusetts, organization has made raking leaves an annual election day event.

Tuesday morning Chris Clark cast his ballot, and then came to Historic Northampton on Bridge Street. He and other volunteers were raking small piles that those merged with other piles.

At the end of two hours an enormous berm of leaves was at the back of the grounds.

"I think the idea of doing something on election day — particularly last year — was a really good idea," Clark said. "There was a big crowd."

Northampton, which is the county seat, had a heated mayoral and other races, but no federal or state candidates were on the ballot.

Clark thought that might be why fewer volunteers came out this year. Maybe people were less anxious, he said.

Historic Northampton Co-Executive D

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