The Elections Commission is recommending that two polling locations be relocated for this fall’s municipal election: Ward 2 Precinct 1 (currently at Albemarle Field House) and Ward 1 Precinct 4 (currently at Pelligrini Field House).
In the Election Commission’s June 15 meeting, the Commission voted to relocate Ward 2 Precinct 1 to the Scandinavian Living Center, which is a half mile from Albemarle, because the Albemarle Field House is currently under construction. The Scandinavian Living Center is currently the voting location for Ward 3 Precinct 1 and has space that will accommodate another precinct.
Although the Pelligrini Field House is not currently under construction, the Commission is recommending that the polling location be moved. The Commission did not yet recommend a location, although the Lincoln Eliot School, which currently is the polling site for Ward 1 Precinct 1, has been suggested. Two other City-owned properties are also under consideration: 150 Jackson Road and the Ciociaro Club at 144 Bridge Street.
Ward 1 Councilor Maria Greenberg believes that the move was due to the planned construction of the Field House at Pellegrini. Ward 1 At-Large Councilor John Oliver added that the City Clerk reports that Lincoln Eliot was considered because it has ample space, is ADA accessible, and is already a polling location for another site, but he said the Elections supervisor will be making a recommendation to the Commission. Oliver said he was surprised about the need for the move because he had been informed that construction would not have any impact on the Pelligrini Field House. Ward 1 At-Large Councilor Alison Leary acknowledged that the safety issue regarding using schools as a polling location has been raised.
The Elections Commission will meet on Wednesday, June 21 and is scheduled to make its recommendations to the Programs and Services Committee at its meeting later that evening.