In the weeks leading up to the 2016 presidential election, the Greenfield Recorder headlines looked like this:
Oct. 21, 2016: The Recorder Opinion Page editorial was headlined, “Jeopardizing the peaceful transfer of power,” about candidate Donald Trump’s claim that the election is rigged — if he loses.
Oct. 29, 2016: The Recorder Opinion Page editorial was headlined, “We endorse Hillary Clinton — with enthusiasm.”
Seven days out — Nov. 1, 2016: A front page story for Election 2016 was, “What would Question 3 mean for egg retailers?” This had to do with banning the state’s retailers from selling products from mistreated farm animals.
The Recorder editorial for that day had the headline, “Center-left Neal right for our district.”
Six days out — Nov. 2: The only front page, election-related story ran at the bottom: “If Clinton wins, some in GOP say OK with 8.” This was about the Supreme Court, which was down to eight members since Republicans blocked President Obama’s nominee, Merrick Garland.
Inside, the AP story was about FBI Director James Comey: “Do-the-right-thing guy in email mess.”
Also from the AP: “Clinton, Trump predict crisis if rival wins”
The Recorder editorial for that day was headlined, “Experienced, wise Hinds gets our vote”
Five days out — Nov. 3: A front page election photo feature showed a demonstration at Diemand Farm in Wendell urging people to vote “No” on Question 3. Inside, the wire story headline was “GOP plan for Clinton presidency: Block and resist.”
The Recorder editorial for that day was, “Vote ‘No’ on Question 3’ (about selling products from mistreated farm animals).
Four days out — Nov. 4: The front page headline was, “Rosenberg rallies for schools, fair taxes.” Below the fold was a feature on ballot question 2 on charter school expansion.
The Recorder editorial headline was, “‘No’ on charters”
Inside, a wire story was headlined, “Trump, Clinton all in with just 4 days to go” and “Polls show Clinton with narrow edge a few days before election.”
Three days out — Nov. 5-6: An election-related stand-alone photo carried the headline, “A long time coming,” and showed 100-year-old Conway resident Helen Reed holding a Hillary Clinton campaign button that said, “We Made History.” Reed said she’s been waiting her whole life to vote for a woman to be her president.
The wire story on the bottom on the front page was headlined “‘Vote from home’ scam targets Clinton supporters” and was about the increasing problem of political ‘bots.’
The Recorder editorial headline for the day read, “Question 4 wrong way to allow pot.”
One day out — Nov. 6: The front page election headline read, “Election Day arrives tomorrow.” At the bottom on the page, “Clinton gets FBI reprieve — again.”
Two inside stories were headlined, “42 million cast ballots early” and “Some millennial women back Trump.”
On the editorial page, the ‘Monday Shorts’ touched on the election with a paragraph that read, “Plenty of things can be written about this season’s presidential campaign. But we do find it interesting that as one travels around, there aren’t the usual number of campaign signs on lawns and elsewhere. We aren’t seeing a whole lot of bumper stickers as compared to past elections. Is this a reflection of the 2016 campaign or a trend of a differing sort?”
Election Day — Nov. 8: The headline read, ‘Decision Day 2016,’ with a subhead, ‘Pot, charter school questions grab attention in Bay State.’
Also on the front page, a wire story, “It all begins with Georgia and Virginia at 7 p.m.”
Inside, “Bad timing? FBI director Comey honored by group with longtime Trump ties.”
The Recorder editorial was headlined, “Participate in process and vote.”
Inside local stories included, “Clinton wins in NMH (Northfield Mount Hermon School)-led national mock election” and “Secret school ballot” in which Four Corners School students “handily elected Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton with 170 votes. Republican nominee Donald Trump came in second with 27 votes.”
The day after — Nov. 9, 2016: A banner headline across 6 columns read simply ‘HISTORIC RACE’ and a box reading, “At Press Time: Clinton 209, Trump 232.” As of the Recorder’s press deadline, neither had yet attained the necessary 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the White House.
Locally, Recorder staff wrote about ‘Election night angst at the finish line,’ covering election night parties around the county. A rail down the right showed Question 4 on legalizing marijuana winning 53 percent to 47 percent. Question 2 on charter school cap lost, with 63 percent no and 37 percent yes. Question 3 on animal cruelty passed with 78 percent yes and 22 percent no. In the state senate race, Hinds won with a 2-1 margin. The inside local page showed a photo of State Senate President Stan Rosenberg watching results on the screen at Hope and Olive in Greenfield on Tuesday evening. On B2, “Women on a woman: What a female leader means to them.”
Other inside local stories were: ‘A woman president: These women reflect on how times have changed as the election unfolds,” and “Nearly one-fifth of county voters go early,” under the state’s new early voting program. The next page carried a full-page story, ‘The clear and not so clear choices: Local residents offer their thoughts about the election.”
Page B4 carried the chart, ‘Franklin County town-by-town vote totals.’ The presidential race showed 63.90 percent for Clinton and 27.54 percent for Trump.
Two days after — Nov. 10: The front page headlines read, “A chance to lead: Clinton urges supporters to keep an open mind” and “Trump election elicits fears, some cheers around the globe.” Down the right column, “Clergy hope for ways to heal raw wounds” and at the bottom, “Young women remain optimistic: Stoneleigh-Burnham students hold on to their dreams for the future.”
The chart ran with final figures, “Franklin County final vote totals by town.” The final vote tally for the presidential race was 61.74 percent for Clinton and 29.55 percent for Trump.
Three days after — Nov. 11: The Recorder editorial was headlined, ‘Trump must act to unify the nation.”