Area Voters Keep Left Of Country

Continuing their tradition of marching to the left of the country, Harvard Square voters yesterday supported Democratic candidates for President and Senator by lopsided margins, according to exit polls conducted by The Crimson.

Eighty percent of voters questioned as they left polls on Mount Auburn St, and at the Broadway Firehouse said they cast votes for Democratic Presidential candidate Walter F. Mondale, while only 20 percent said they supported President Reagan.

In the Senate race, victor John F. Kerry, the Democratic lieutenant governor, captured 86 percent of the vote, compared to just 14 percent for opponent Raymond Shamie.

Voter turnout at both locations was high, with about 80 percent of registered voters casting ballots.

The exit polling, in which 11 percent of the voters were questioned, took place between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the precincts that include all nine River Houses and the Freshman dorms.

Mondale supporters cited foreign policy, the economy, nuclear weapons concerns and a general dislike of the President as deciding factors.

Some Reagan backers cited their support for the Republican Party or the strength of the President's leadership.

"I voted for Mondale because Reagan is in the process of destroying the economy," said Steven P. Augart '87 as he left the fourth' ecinct polls on Mount Aubutn St.

"I don't like the Republican antifeminist stance--and then there's the little problem of Central America," he added.

Mondale supporter Timothy A. Devine '85 said, "I believe in a government representing equal concern and respect for all citizens."

But one respondent, who asked that he not be identified, said "Reagan and Bush better reflect the values of the country. They represent my way of thinking."

Seaster Kerry

All 203 people who said they voted for Mondale also supported Kerry, but only two-thirds of the people who indicated that they voted for Reagan also backed Shamie.