Wareham voters on Tuesday favored Democrat Hillary Clinton over president-elect Donald Trump, opted to keep State Representative Susan Williams Gifford (R-Wareham) in office, and overwhelmingly supported legalizing recreational marijuana use.

The presidential election brought 79 percent of the town’s registered voters to the polls. In Wareham, the Clinton and Trump race was separated by less than 300 votes, with 47 percent of voters backing Clinton (5,343 votes) and 44 percent voting for Trump (5,046 votes).

Voters also cast ballots on four state ballot questions, which addressed gambling, charter schools and the treatment of animals raised for food in addition to recreational marijuana use.

As this highly contentious presidential campaign drew to a close, Wareham voters expressed an array of emotions regarding the race, but there was one constant sentiment, relief.

“I’m glad it’s over,” said Gary Matos after voting at Town Hall on Tuesday night.

Matos cast his ballot for Trump, which put him in the minority in Wareham

For Matos, choosing Trump was a vote against the status quo.

“He’s not a politician, so I’m giving him a shot,” said Matos.

Some voters appreciated Trump’s business background, citing it as a reason he won their vote.

“He’s a really smart guy and we’re trillions of dollars in debt and I think a businessman could help maybe get us back on track a little bit,” said Krissy Zalgenas.

Trump’s colorful rhetoric didn’t sit well with some, though.

“When it comes to buffoons, I know buffoons,” said Jason Billard. “And I wouldn’t vote for Trump.”

Instead, Billard voted for Clinton as did Susie Spence.

“There’s a lot going on with this election and the lesser of the two evils has been helping families for 30 years,” said Spence. “If I want someone to be president, I want a president with class.”

For some, neither Clinton or Trump were an ideal pick.

“I didn’t want to vote for either of them,” said Arthur Melberg, who voted for Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson.

Whatever anyone thought of the candidates, Melberg said the campaign cycle was interesting.

“I thought it was crazy,” he said. “The drama is over now, but it was definitely interesting.”

Interest in the election was high well before Nov. 8, as Wareham Town Clerk Mary Ann Silva reported that 3,999 of the town’s 14,699 registered voters, or 27 percent, cast their ballots early.

New this year, voters could head to the polls when it was convenient for them on one of five days in late October and early November.

Previously, absentee ballots were required for those who would be unable to vote on Election Day due to religious beliefs, a disability or because they would be out of town.

For more election results, see below:

In the representative race for U.S. Congress, incumbent William Keating (D) received the most votes, 5,988, with Mark C. Alliegro in second place with 3,653 votes. Third up was Paul Harrington (I) with 701 votes, followed by Christopher Cataldo (U) and Anna Raduc (U) with 161 votes each.

Incumbent Senator Marc Pacheco (R) and State Representative Susan Williams Gifford (R) took the lead over their opponents Sandra Wright (R) and Sarah Hewins (D). Pacheco earned 6,612 votes over Wright's 3,844 while Gifford earned 6,373 votes over Hewin's 4,218.

Joseph D. McDonald, Jr. took the sheriff's race with 5,834 votes, versus 4,687 for Scott Vecchi.

Of the total number of registered voters in Wareham, 79 percent participated.

Ballot questions

Question 1: A second license for a slots gambling parlor

Question 1 was a close call with 5,440 votes favoring slots and 5,362 against.

Question 2: Expanding charter schools

The vote to expand charter schools failed in Wareham: 6,371 to 4,750.

Question 3: Farm animal confinement

Question 3 passed with a total of 8,578 voters checking "yes" while 2,532 voted "no."

Question 4: Recreational marijuana

Most residents want to see recreational marijuana as 6,409 residents voted "yes" and 4,786 voted "no."