Published in the February 27, 2018 edition.
WAKEFIELD — Beginning with the state party primary elections in September, all Wakefield voters will cast ballots in one place.
Last night the selectmen unanimously approved a request from Town Clerk Betsy Sheeran to centralize voting at the Galvin Middle School. Sheeran said her reasons for seeking the change were many, not the least of is that as Wakefield’s chief elections officer, one of her responsibilities is to ensure that each and every voter has the chance to exercise his or her right on Election Day.
And the Galvin is the best place for that to happen. Sheeran explained to the selectmen that she has fielded complaints from some voters about their uncomfortableness at all the current neighborhood polling places. Some have complained about voting in a church (Most Blessed Sacrament in Greenwood). Some don’t feel comfortable voting in a Masonic building. Others don’t want to vote in a place that serves alcohol on off-election days (the West Side Social Club and the Crystal Community Club).
Of voting in one location, Sheeran said, “Its day has come.” She added, “This is the fairest way to do it for everyone.”
Sheeran began the successful journey to centralized voting last August, when she said she contacted Town Counsel Thomas Mullen asking for his opinion on which governmental body has the jurisdiction to make the change to all separate precincts voting in one location. She said Mullen immediately responded that the Board of Selectmen has that authority. Sheeran then explained she went one step further, asking the Secretary of State’s Election Division, and was told the same thing.
During a presentation to the board, Sheeran said with the selectmen’s approval, all registered voters in town will vote at the Galvin beginning with the primary elections on Tuesday, Sept. 4.
Each of the seven precincts, she said, will be separate “and the process will remain the same as it has always been in the past. Registered voters will remain in their assigned precincts. There will be no consolidation of individual precincts.
“Centralizing the precincts will be more efficient and will eliminate the confusion that has occurred in the past when a new resident was unfamiliar with the location of the precinct that has been assigned to her or him.”
Sheeran continued that the Galvin presents several benefits to voters: its central location, a location well-known to all residents, the fact that it is on a bus route (unlike the polling places for Precincts 2, 3, 5 and 6) and “finally, the (Galvin) building is ‘owned’ by each and every person in this community who pays real estate taxes. Those families with children who attend the Galvin Middle School are familiar with the building. Those taxpayers who attend Town Meeting are also familiar with the building. This is a chance for taxpayers who are unable to attend Town Meeting or those who do not have children in the Galvin Middle School to ‘visit’ the building.”
Sheeran explained that in order to comply with state law, the Secretary of State’s office must find the site sufficient for holding elections. With the selectmen approving the change to centralized voting, Sheeran said she and Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio will meet with someone from Secretary of State William Galvin’s office at the Galvin for a site visit.
The $75 million school — considered the crown jewel among Wakefield’s educational facilities — complies with the American with Disabilities Act and parking, in Sheeran’s opinion, “will not be an issue. In order to avoid any confusion, a police officer will be assigned to the parking lot and signage will be posted.”
Every registered voter will be notified of the change. The notification must be received at least 20 days before the election. Not only will every registered voter be notified by mail, but Sheeran also plans to insert a flyer in the August Municipal Gas and Light Department bills and to use a town electronic sign to advertise the change. She said there will be postings on social media, the town’s website and in the Daily Item. She also would like to display a banner across Main Street notifying the voters of centralized voting.
“This change will also eliminate some voters’ concerns with regard to ‘voting in a polling place that offends their personal beliefs.’ One of my duties and responsibilities is to see that each and every registered voter has the opportunity to exercise her/his right on Election Day. Having the polls on one site, in a municipal building, is one way of providing the voter with a site that doesn’t create any angst” for a voter, Sheeran continued.
On Tuesday, Sept. 4, schools won’t have opened yet for the year. The next election day, Nov. 6, is a planned professional development day. Barring any unforeseen development, there will be only the April municipal election in 2019. Sheeran said this morning that at most three days out of year may see elections.
Lynnfield, Reading and North Reading all have centralized voting.
Selectman Ann Santos asked Sheeran about the effects an election crowd would have on those attending their children’s soccer practices. Sheeran explained that the bulk of voting at any election is done from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and then 4 p.m. to about 6:30 p.m., with some running later.
Selectman Mehreen Butt said centralized voting “will make it easier for everyone.”
Selectman Brian Falvey explained, “It’s long overdue.”
Selectman Ed Dombroski asked what the cost savings would be. Sheeran explained she was not prepared to give a figure because there are still a lot of unknown, but emphasized that his move is not about saving money but about giving everyone the best opportunity to vote in elections.
“This is worth trying,” she said.
Dombroski also questioned the move away from neighborhood polling places. “When you have multiple locations,” he said, “you have better luck find a place near your home.”
Butt immediately disagreed, saying she lives in Greenwood and votes at the Crystal Community Club on Preston Street, quite a ways from her house.
She also said people always have questions about what precinct they live in and where they vote, issues that could be resolved if everyone voted at the same place.