Board of Registrar of Voters

Malden City Hall City of Malden 215 Pleasant Street Malden, MA 02148 Meeting Minutes - Final Board of Registrars of Voters Jean T. Voltaire, Chairperson Jessica Sherman Kathleen A. Young Carol Ann Desiderio, Clerk Tuesday, January 9, 2024 5:30 PM City Council Chambers 215 Pleasant Street Malden, MA 02148 Roll Call Chair Voltaire called the meeting to order at 5:32 PM. Also in attendance was Elections Administrator Dinah Fajardo. Present 4 - Chairperson Jean T. Voltaire, Board Member Kathleen A. Young, Carol Ann Desiderio, and Board Member Jessica Sherman Minutes to be Approved 19-24 Minutes for the meeting of July 11, 2023 A motion was made by Board Member Young, seconded by Board Member Sherman, that the Board Minutes be approved. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. Business City of Malden Page 1 Board of Registrars of Voters Meeting Minutes - Final January 9, 2024 1. Board will meet to discuss the 2024 Election Calendar Discussion opened with a report of the 2024 election cycle. March 5, 2024 - Presidential Primary September 3, 2024 - State Primary November 5, 2024 - General Election The Board agreed to an early voting (EV) schedule that will include ten days of early voting in February for the March Primary; seven days of early voting in August for the September Primary; thirteen days of early voting in October for the November election. Monday through Thursday EV will reflect the normal hours of operation at City Hall. Weekend hours are mandated to consist of at least four hours on both Saturday and Sunday; 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. As City Hall is closed on Friday, those hours are optional according law. The Board agreed to opt into Friday EV. Hours will be from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. All early voting will take place from the Clerk's Office at City Hall with the exception of the roll out of a new trial of Mobile Early Voting on Friday with specific details to be announced as Clerk Desiderio is able to arrange for location sites. A review of last year's polling places was completed. The Board agreed the use of last year's locations worked out well and will remain unchanged for 2024. Poll workers and Language Assistants from last November's Municipal Election provided adequate coverage in all 27 precincts citywide. Recruitment and training remains ongoing as a matter of course. Registrar Sherman shared her experience of going to particular polling places after 8:00 PM during the November municipal election to find the front doors of the buildings were locked even while the poll workers were still closing up. This is in violation of open meeting law; doors are to remain open and observers are allowed to watch the closing procedures. Election staff have addressed this concern in the past with custodial staff but again will contact supervisors to reiterate the buildings must remain accessible throughout the entire process. Precinct police details will be provided per building, if not per precinct. The Board recommends the Council designate the Chief of Police to work with the City Clerk in determining the necessary staffing levels for the 2024 election cycle. Registrar Young asked Clerk Desiderio to create the necessary Council papers with accompanying Committee Report for communication to the Malden City Council on the above outlined issues. A motion was made by Registrar Young, seconded by Registrar Sherman to refer all recommendations as proposed for a vote of the full City Council. The motion passed by unanimous vote. 2. Discussion on any other business that may come before the board Clerk Desiderio asked the members to sign the rubber stamp template so she can have registrars' stamps made reflecting the two new members, Sherman and Desiderio. The registrars have an appointment to report to Public Facilities at the adjournment of this meeting to have pictures taken for new ID badges. City of Malden Page 2 Board of Registrars of Voters Meeting Minutes - Final January 9, 2024 Adjournment A motion was made by Board Member Young, seconded by Board Member Sherman, that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. Meeting adjourned at 6:07 PM. City of Malden Page 3