Since the clock struck 6 this morning, the line to vote at Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven has been nearly out the door. The high school is historically one of the busiest polling locations in the state.
"Everyone needs to step up and do what's right to bring our country back to a great sense of harmony and willingness to work with one another," said Jock Reynolds, of New Haven.
Jessica Tretina, who just became a citizen and this morning, stepped into the voting booth for the first time.
"I was not a citizen during the last presidential election and I actually applied to become a citizen because I saw how things were going," she said.
It motivated her to have her voice heard on the local level.
"I'm here and I hope a lot of other young people will be as well," she added.
Quinnipiac medical student Steven Hardy made it to the polls before his 8 a.m. class, focusing his vote on leaders who he hopes will save the budget and social services.
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"We all know what we like. It's just a matter of listening to who speaks to you," Hardy said.
For Monthnea Roberts, that's youth services. She cast her ballot three miles away at King-Robinson Magnet School, where turnout was slower. She's hoping her representatives will focus on her community's young people.
"There's a way out from the drugs. There's a way out from the violence. There's a way out from being hungry if your parents are on drugs. There's a way out, but our people who run the state, they have to make that way," Roberts said.
Voter turnout at Smith Middle School in Glastonbury has also been busy all morning. Just two hours in, the moderator says they had more than 700 votes, including Danny Cantafi.
"I think it's important that our voices be heard. I think that everybody has to come out. It's a constitutional duty to go out and vote for the party you think or feel is going to best lead our country," Cantafi said.
In Hartford this morning, Unaffiliated candidate Oz Griebel cast his vote a few minutes after the polls opened. Several residents followed suit and said there are some issues they have been more passionate about than others.
"Fiscal stability, jobs, health care is important," one voter said.
"I was focused on a lot of issues, basically taxes," another voter added.
Secretary of the State Denise Merrill said her office has received reports of some lines at the polls and voter turnout appeared to be around 40 percent by 3 p.m.
Voter turnout is always lower for midterm elections than when there is a vote for president, she said, but said this is shaping up to be high for midterms.
"Generally in Connecticut, we'll get between a 55 and a 65 percent turnout in a midterm election," she said. In 2014, Connecticut saw around 57 percent turnout. Based on the 3 p.m. data, this year could be higher.
Voter turnout for presidential elections is around 75 or 80 percent in Connecticut, according to Merrill.
Some voters said they are eager to watch the results roll in tonight and they believe the state is due for a change.
"Too many companies are leaving. GE left, big company, can't afford to lose it. I think we just need a change. It can't get any worse so let's try something different," Cantafi added.
Democrat Ned Lamont voted in Greenwich this morning and Republican Bob Stefanowski voted around 12:30 p.m. in Madison.
The Registrar of Voters has an important message for voters. Make sure you know your polling location. Your local polling location today may be different than where you vote in federal elections. You can check the notice that was sent to your address.
If you haven't registered to vote, you still can if it's your first time or if you've moved to a new town.
Polls will be open until 8 p.m. tonight.
