Election Commission

City of Lowell Election Commission | Census Office City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street, Room 5 • Lowell, MA 01852 Tel: 978.674.4046  Fax: 978.970.4089 www.lowellma.gov Zoe Dzineku Beverly Athens James A. Pope Mark Paton Commissioners Board of Election Commissioner Meeting Tuesday, August 3, 2021 Zoom meeting – Recorded 5:30 PM 1. Roll Call and Attendance Start time 5:33 Meeting called to order by Chairwoman Dzineku. All commissioners present. Mr. Veloso informed the Commissioners that the Zoom meeting was being recorded. 2. Old Business MOTION by Chairwoman Dzineku, seconded by Commissioner Anthes to approve the minutes of the July 15, 2021 meeting. All in favor. Motion by Chairwoman Dzineku seconded by Commissioner Anthes to approve the July 20, 2021 meeting. All in favor. 3. New Business Mr. Veloso requested to take item 3c out of order. Chairwoman Dzineku granted the request, no objections. 3c. Update on submission of nomination papers for 2021 municipal elections. Mr. Veloso informed the commissioners that as of August 3, 2021 at 5:00 PM all nomination papers had to be submitted. Mr. Veloso stated that to trigger a preliminary election, there needed to be double plus one candidate who qualified for a particular office. For example, as there are three at-large City Council seats, a preliminary would be triggered if seven candidates qualified. Mr. Veloso informed the commissioners that based on the current number of candidates who submitted papers, none of the at-large City Council races, at-large School Committee races, and district School Committee races would require a preliminary. Only four district City Council races would require a preliminary election: Districts 2, 3, 4, and 7. 3a. Discussion on polling locations for City’s eight municipal districts for 2021 municipal elections. i. Update on parties’ joint emergency motion to amend consent decree in Huot matter. Mr. Veloso informed the commissioners that on Thursday July 29, 2021, the parties submitted a joint motion to amend the consent decree to permit the subdivision of districts if necessary. Mr. Veloso informed the commissioners that the joint motion had been approved by the federal court. As a result, the Election Commission now have the authority to sub-divide districts if necessary for the administration of the election. Mr. Veloso provided an update regarding inquiries about potential polling locations. Mr. Veloso stated that he had spoken to the Lowell Housing Authority manager to see if a LHA community center on or about Chelmsford Street could be used as a potential polling location. Mr. Veloso stated that LHA expressed potential interest in allowing for its use in an upcoming election, but that further approval would be required. Mr. Veloso informed the commissioners that Lowell VFW Post 622 would not be available. Mr. Veloso stated that the LDS Church had not responded to his inquiries. Mr. Veloso stated that he reached out to the Lowell Collegiate Charter School and that they expressed potential interest, but would need further information. Mr. Veloso provided a list of the City’s prior polling locations that the Election Commission could employ for the upcoming elections based on their district, including the City’s prior polling locations from last year’s election. Mr. Veloso noted which polling locations were within which district: District 1: Pawtucket Memorial and the McAvinnue Schools District 2: Robinson and Greenhalge Schools District 3: Immaculate Conception, Reilly, and Joseph G. Pyne District 4: Lowell High School, Greenhelge School, Rogers School District 5: Butler Middle School District 6: Morey District 7: Lowell Senior Center District 8: Daley, Bailey Mr. Veloso stated that the Secretary of State’s Office was reviewing the City’s voter lists regarding if the districts could be subdivided if necessary. Chairwoman Dzineku expressed concern regarding that two polling locations would not be enough for the upcoming elections, and inquired if three polling locations could be employed for District 4. MOTION: by Chairwoman Dzineku, seconded by Vice-Chairman Pope, to accept the list of potential polling locations. All in favor. Professor Charles Stewart, the Election Commission’s expert, stated that he would provide a report regarding his analysis and recommendations. His report would analyze whether two polling locations were necessary for each district, what polling locations were recommended to be used, whether District 4 should have three polling locations, and his recommendations regarding Early Voting. 3b. Discussion on early voting hours and location for 2021 preliminary election. i. Update on Governor Baker’s approval of state law permitting vote by mail for local and state elections through December 15, 2021.  Mr. Veloso informed the commissioners that Governor Baker had signed into law vote by mail and early voting up to ten days before the preliminary election. Mr. Veloso noted that the times and days permitted were similar to what was authorized for municipalities last year. City Solicitor O’Connor stated that other places besides the Lowell Senior Center may also be of value for early voting. She proposed that the commissions refer to Professor Stewart for his recommendation. The commissioners agreed to have Profess or Stewart examine the issue. (Note: the Election Commission rescinded a motion to designate early voting polling locations and hours, deferring matter to next meeting for Professor Stewart’s report.) 4. Adjournment MOTION: by Chairwoman Dzineku seconded by Commissioner Beverly Anthes to adjourn. All in favor Meeting ended at 6:59