Horace Oliveira feeds the voting machine after Vivianne and John Arruda cast their votes in the Massachusetts presidential primary at Somerset Middle School yesterday.

The Providence Journal Frieda Squires

FALL RIVER — Democratic presidential voters in Southeastern Massachusetts helped Hillary Rodham Clinton top Illinois Sen. Barack Obama on a day when elderly women voted emphatically for the New York senator. On the Republican side, Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, finished comfortably ahead of Arizona Sen. John McCain.

At the Tansey School polling place in Fall River’s Highlands neighborhood, voter turnout was steady but not big as voters braved a torrential downpour to cast ballots yesterday morning.

After a campaign for the ages, voters appeared to have been well-informed and aware of the messages of their favorite candidates. Massachusetts held an open presidential primary this year, meaning that independent voters — labeled undeclared in local political argot — could cast ballots in either Democratic or Republican contests.

Janice Peloquin, of Fall River, said she voted for Clinton because she believes the New York senator has the experience needed to clean up the mess left by President Bush. “I think she has the experience and she also has her husband there and he will be a big help. I also like her health-care plan.”

Cathy Talbot, of Fall River, echoed her neighbor, Peloquin, saying she doesn’t believe Obama has the experience in government that Clinton has.

John Gagliardi said he went for Obama. “I think he is a good man and I think he has new ideas and he’s young.”

Among Republicans, voters chose among McCain, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, and Romney, who served four years as governor.

“I would go for Huckabee but I don’t think he has a chance, and I don’t like Romney, so I went for McCain,” said Steve Silva.

Many Democrats in this most Democratic of cities said they were torn between Obama and Clinton. “It was really close,” said Polly Feitelberg. “I didn’t decide until this morning. Obama had a great YouTube story that I saw.”

As he walked out of the polling place, Gabe Andrade said, “It wasn’t an easy choice. But in the end I voted for Clinton because I think we need the experience this year.”

Voters who supported Obama emphasized his theme of unity and changing the tenor in Washington. “I think he is going to be the one who can help us out of this mess we are in,” said James Wentworth.

It was a day when couples chose different candidates. At the Spencer Borden School, on President Avenue, Daniel Reis and his wife, Karen Reis, split their votes.

“I feel he is right for the job. He has new ideas,” said Daniel Reis, who opted for Obama. Karen Reis supported Clinton because she believes the New York senator has a better health-care proposal.

While Bill Clinton may have caused controversy and hurt his wife in some parts of the country, in Massachusetts, reminders of his eight-year administration in the 1990s was a plus for her.

“I feel she has what it takes, I don’t think Obama has enough experience,” said Audre Carreiro. “I also look at what Bill Clinton did — he started with a deficit and turned it into a surplus — we need some more of that thinking.”

Several women who said their votes hinged on opposition to abortion rights said they voted for Romney.

“I’m for Romney because he is pro-life,” said Ana Marie Cudavid, of Fall River.

Other Romney supporters said he had done a good job while on Beacon Hill. “I like him and I think he was a good governor, especially in such a Democratic state,” said Natalie Haradon.

Over at the Cardinal Medeiros Towers polling place on Robeson Street, elderly voters dominated the precinct. Christopher Stevens, a Republican, said he voted for Romney because he had done a good job as governor and kept taxes down.

Louis Botelho echoed a common theme at the same polling station, saying he voted for Clinton because she had more experience. “Obama just doesn’t have time in yet.”

Said Janice Clarke, “I voted for Barack Obama. I like Hillary, but I don’t think Obama is as dominated by corporations as she is and I think he’ll do a better job at keeping jobs from going overseas.”

At Dartmouth Town Hall, more than 500 voters had participated by 2 p.m. “I think we really need new ideas,” said Edith Pliskin, who voted for Obama.

As she walked out of the Town Hall polling room, Maurita Cormack said she was impressed by Clinton’s “smarts” and the fact that “she has the experience.”

Brian Blanchette went for Obama, because he believes the Illinois senator can break the partisan gridlock in Washington. “He is the only one on the Democratic side who can work with Republicans rather than sniping at them for the next eight years.”

Mike Moniz countered Blanchette by voting for Clinton. Moniz said he wants to bring back the Bill Clinton years, adding, “he did a pretty good job.”

Joseph Cabral said he wants Obama because “we need a guy with new ideas and he has them.”

McCain garnered the vote of Janice DeMelo, who also voted at Dartmouth Town Hall. DeMelo said she admires McCain’s military background. “He’s served his country. He knows what’s going on. Unfortunately, there is always going to be war, and he has the training to deal with it.”

smackay@projo.com