Fall River council could move polling places for public health or convenience

The Fall River City Council may change a designated polling place by a public, recorded vote. This applies to polling places in Fall River; the council may choose a place in a precinct that does not share a boundary with the original precinct. The council must determine that the change would better serve public convenience or public health. Alcohol may not be served or consumed in the part of a building used as a polling place during voting or ballot counting. The council must make the change at least 20 days before the election. If enacted, the act would take effect upon passage.

The City Council must review and report on a polling place change’s effect on access; the Board of Registrars must post location details and notify voters. These duties apply when polling places are designated under the act. The review must assess whether the change would have a disparate, adverse effect on access to the polls based on race, national origin, disability, income, or age. The council must make its report available on the city website and at the City Clerk’s office. The Board of Registrars must notify voters electronically to the extent that means are available, such as email or a reverse 911 call. The council must make its report public at least three days before changing a polling place. The Board of Registrars must post the description and notify voters when the polling places have been designated under the act.