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 Board of Election Commissioners Meeting Tuesday August 24, 2021 Via Zoom Conference – Recorded 5:30 PM MEETING MINUTES 1. Roll Call and Attendance Start Time 5: 31 PM Meeting called to order by Chairwoman Dzineku. All commissioners present. 2. Old Business a. Vote to accept minutes from prior meeting. MOTION by Commissioner Pope, seconded by Commissioner Anthes to accept the minutes of August 17, 2021, commissioner’s meeting. Motion passes (all in favor). b. Review of early voting schedule Mr. Veloso shared the schedules for early in-person voting for the preliminary election and municipal election that the commission voted to approve in the last meeting. The calendars showing the dates, times, and locations for early voting were presented to the Interim Director Veloso shared the schedule for early voting. Early in-person voting for the preliminary election will start on Wednesday, September 9, 2021, and end on Friday, September 17, 2021. Early voting for the in-person Municipal Election will start on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, and end on Friday, October 29, 2021. 3. New Business a. Communication on final ballot order for candidates for 2021 Preliminary Election. Mr. Veloso informed the commissioners that on Friday, August 20, 2021, a random drawing was conducted to determine the order of appearance of candidates from district 2, 3, 4, and 7 for placement on the preliminary election ballot. As a result of the drawing, the following will be the order of appearance for candidates of the 2021 Municipal Preliminary Election: City of Lowell Election Commission Meeting August 24, 2021 Page 2 District 2: 1. Martin J. Hogan, 3 Wachusett Street 2. Corey Michael Robinson, 5 W 10th Street 3. Robert Gignac, 91 Llewellyn Street District 3: 1. John J. Leahy, 87 Glenwood Street 2. William Bill Samaras, 87 Fairview Street 3. David J. Conway, 528 Andover Street District 4: 1. Paul N. Belley, 65 Alma Street 2. Ryan Rourke, 141 John Street unit #413 3. Wayne C. Jenness, Jr., 200 Market Street unit #602 District 7: 1. Kamara Kay, 275 Walker Street 2. Paul Ratha Yem, 98 Mt. Vernon Street 3. Patricia A. Stratton, 657 Merrimack Street Unit #522 4. David M. Ouellette, 113 Cabot Street b. Scheduling of available dates for Accuvote ballot machine testing for Preliminary Election. Mr. Veloso informed the commissioners that Commissioner Pope would not be available on September 16, 2021, and September 17, 2021, for the testing of the Accuvote ballot machines. Mr. Veloso stated that scheduling of testing for the Accuvote machines would be for the week prior to the preliminary election. Mr. Pope stated that testing could be scheduled on a date he was unavailable if necessary. Chairwoman Dzineku recognized Vice-Chairman Pope. Mr. Pope asked Mr. Veloso regarding the contract with the Election Commission’s expert. Mr. Pope requested that Mr. Veloso provide a list of authorities and functions of the Election Commission. Mr. Pope expressed his interest in examining how the order of candidates is selected in the future. Mr. Pope stated that the order a candidate is listed can make a difference in the election. Mr. Veloso stated that the random draw of candidates was dictated by the City’s charter. Mr. Pope stated that he could not find where the title of the Election Commission was the Election and Census Commission. Mr. Veloso stated that he would research and get back to the commissioners. Chairwoman Dzineku examined the Zoom “chat” and inquired if the City still needed poll workers. Mr. Veloso stated that the City still needs poll workers. Mr. Veloso stated City of Lowell Election Commission Meeting August 24, 2021 Page 3 that he had reached out to UMass Lowell with this year’s application packet for those interested in working as a poll worker. Mr. Veloso stated that the application would be provided to other groups and community partners. Chairwoman Dzineku examined the Zoom “chat” and inquired if the Election Commission would be holding a candidate’s night? Mr. Veloso stated that the Election Commission does not do them. LTC will be holding candidate forums. 4. Adjournment MOTION by Chairwoman Dzineku seconded by Vice-Chairman Pope to adjourn. All in favor. Motion passes. Meeting ended at 5:53 PM