There are many ways to look at long lines at polling stations on Election Day. They are, fundamentally, a sign of a robust and engaged democracy, which most people like. But they are still lines, which most people do not like.

With tight races for the presidency and the US Senate and a large turnout across the state, Massachusetts voters experienced epic waits at some polling stations Tuesday, with ­reports from parts of Boston and Somerville of morning lines stretching to three hours.