Election Commission

ELECTION DEPARTMENT MEETING MINUTES Date and Time: Tuesday, June28, 2022, 3:00 PM Place: City Hall, 15 Summer Street 2nd Floor Conference Room Attendees:  Dan Barbour  Frank Biedak  Jason Roomes  Carol Welch  Pamela Menconi  Jeanette Berrios The meeting was called to order at 3:00 PM. Commissioner Welch made a motion to accept the minutes of May 17, 2022. So voted unanimously. COMMUNITY INPUT Larry Quintal, 80 Broadway, Taunton, spoke about a letter he had sent to the Elections Department with documentation supporting his residence in Taunton. He stated he has lived above the business he owns for about 4 years now, and explained that he had previously resided at two different addresses in Swansea. He explained again he now lives above the funeral home and in the interest of transparency, if the Commission had any questions for him, he was available at any time. He could be contacted via cell phone or by contacting the funeral home directly. Mr. Quintal then offered the opportunity for visiting his home residence above the funeral home at any time to view his living quarters. Mr. Quintal thanked the Commission for their time. Commissioner Biedak asked Mr. Quintal if he had voted in the last election. Mr. Quintal stated that he did. Commissioner Biedak then asked where he voted, and Mr. Quintal stated that he voted behind the old Polish Church. Commissioner Biedak distributed documentation in the form of a TMLP bill and marriage certificate that had Mr. Quintal’s name and Taunton address on it. Mr. Quintal then clarified that sometimes his address is known as 1 Church Street because the prior owner used that address, the property is on the corner of Broadway and Church. Some of his documents will read 80 Broadway but the address is also known as 1 Church Street NEW BUSINESS -New legislation relative to voting, dates and location for Early Voting in person, upcoming election cycle The Director explained that the VOTEs Act was signed into law in late June and reviewed an Election Advisory that was distributed by the Secretary of State. The advisory was quite lengthy but the Director touched upon each of the changes and the impact it would have on future elections. A lengthy discussion ensued. Commissioner Biedak made a motion to consult with the law department to confirm that the Commission, is in fact, the “local election officials” referred to in the Election Advisory relative to voter registration sessions. So voted unanimously. The Director continued a lengthy discussion relative to Vote By Mail and the process entailed. A lengthy discussion ensued relative to Early Voting, its location, and what constituted a 150 foot marker for no electioneering activities. An additional discussion ensued relative to what protocol would be if a candidate on the ballot works or has business at the Early Voting locations. Commissioner Biedak made a motion to have an email sent asking for clarification relative to the guidelines needed for accessibility on Early Voting site. So voted unanimously. Commissioner Biedak made a motion to have an email sent asking for clarification relative to the guidelines needed for accessibility on Early Voting site. So voted unanimously. Commissioner Welch made a motion to have the Election Advisory 22-01 part of the minutes of the record. So voted unanimously. Chairman Barbour stated there were two pieces of correspondence for the record. One from Lawrence Quintal and one from the Law Department. Commissioner Biedak made a motion to place both on file. OLD BUSINESS Next Meeting dates: August 9, 2022 Meeting adjourned at 4:04 pm Respectfully submitted, Carol Welch, Secretary