Election Commission

Election Commission | Census Office City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street, Rm. 5 • Lowell MA 01852 Tel: 978.674.1200 • Fax: 978.970.4089 www.lowellma.gov Board of Election Commissioners Meeting Tuesday, April 27, 2021 Election & Census Conference Room 6:00 PM MEETING MINUTES 1. Roll Call and Attendance START TIME 6:05 P.M. Meeting called to order by Zoe Dzineku. All Commissioners Present. (Zoe Dzineku, Jim Pope, Beverly Anthes) 2. New Business a. Discussion on upcoming 2021 Municipal Elections. Elliott Veloso discussed the current preparations and breakdown for the upcoming 2021 municipal elections. For City Council, there will be eight districts, with three councilors serving at large and the remaining eight councilors each serving one district. Nomination papers will be available June 1. Signature requirements will remain 150 signatures per candidate, regardless of at large or district seat. Any voter can sign for a candidate, regardless of where they live. Staffing and PPE logistics plans for the election remain the same. Pandemic conditions seem to be improving, and as we get closer to the elections a decision will be made on final safety arraignments. b. Update on voter outreach/education efforts for 2021 Municipal Elections. Elliott Veloso discussed planed voter outreach efforts for the municipal elections including packets for interested candidates. Zoe Dzineku inquired if a text message service could be used to educate voters about polls being open and polling locations on Election Day. Elliott Veloso would inquire with City Manager’s Office.  Election Commission | Census Office City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street, Rm. 5 • Lowell MA 01852 Tel: 978.674.1200 • Fax: 978.970.4089 www.lowellma.gov c. Update on technology improvements for Elections Office equipment. Elliott Veloso discussed the CTCL grant and the plans to purchase new absentee ballot boxes to replace the ones damaged in the winter as well as new electronic polling pads for checking in voters. d. Discussion on Election Commission seat vacancy and status. The commissioners were informed that Mark Paton of 122 Shaw Street was voted by the City Council to serve as a new member of the Election Commission on May 27, 2021, to serve the remaining term for Paul Ratha Yem. e. Discussion on selection of new officers for Election Commission Discussion on this item was tabled to the next meeting so Mark Paton would be present. 3. Adjournment Motion to adjourn by Zoe Dzineku, seconded by Beverly Anthes. All in favor. END TIME 7:00 P.M.