City Council

Office of the City Clerk City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 P: 978.674.4161 • F: 978.970.4007 www.LowellMA.gov Lowell City Council Michael Q. Geary City Clerk Special Meeting Minutes SPECIAL MEETING PER RULE 6 Date: July 6, 2021 Time: 5:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 9 present. M. Leahy presiding. Asst. City Clerk Angela Gitschier present. 2. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER M. Leahy commented on the special meeting and read notice. 3. ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.1. Home Rule Petition relative to on week in-person early voting; mail-in voting; drop boxes; and related matters/procedures for the 2021 preliminary and general municipal elections. In City Council, Registered speakers, Deb Belanger and Yun-Ju Choi, addressed the Council. C. Elliott noted support of the petition and the need to adopt measures to increase more options for voter turnout. C. Rourke noted earlier subcommittee meeting and that the petition answers a lot of concerns addressed at the meeting. Manager Donoghue noted prior covid rules regarding elections as to early voting and mail-in voting which City accomplished well. Manager Donoghue noted the need for the petition so that rules can be promulgated moving forward to the next election cycle as supported by Secretary of State and other like communities. Manager Donoghue noted that the State Legislature may address the issue on their own and this petition would just be a safeguard. C. Chau noted the importance of early voting to ease the process on some voters. C. Mercier noted concern that Legislature would not act upon it due to time constraints. Manager Donoghue noted that there are several communities with similar requests. C. Drinkwater noted measures are needed and should be in place permanently and suggested that City send letter of support indicating preference to certain procedures favored by the State Senate. C. Conway noted that voting should not be difficult as it is important part of government. C. Conway questioned use of drop boxes in elections. Manager Donoghue outlined the process and their use in the City. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 2) Elliott Velaso (Elections) commented on security elements of drop box procedures. C. Samaras commented on prior subcommittee and that the Home Rule Petition is needed to address the many voter concerns. C. Samaras noted that there should be the best method of communication used to inform the voters. C. Nuon noted the petition will ensure voters turnout because it is less difficult. Motion by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Chau to approve the filing of Special Legislation relative to in-person voting; mail-in voting; drop boxes; and related electoral procedures for next preliminary and general election in the City. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 9 yeas. So voted. 3. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Chau. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:25 PM. _____________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov