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Elections staff plan outreach, bilingual poll coverage and polling-location moves ahead of Sept. 16 preliminary
Summary
Elections and registration staff told the committee they are recruiting bilingual poll workers, shifting two polling locations (Salem High and Bates School) and preparing candidate nomination deadlines and possible special election costs.
City elections and registration staff briefed the Administration and Finance Committee on June 5 about preparations for the 2025 municipal election calendar, polling-location moves, bilingual poll-worker recruitment and contingencies for a potential special election on a school debt-exclusion ballot question.
Maureen Fisher, assistant city clerk, and Kizzy Canela (assistant in elections) described outreach to recruit translators and bilingual poll workers, including work with Salem High School, Salem State University’s civic engagement program and MassHire. Fisher said staffing needs are driven by precinct layout—some polling locations contain two precincts—and the city hopes for at least one translator per precinct on election day.
Fisher announced two approved polling-location changes that will be used in September: Ward 3 will move from the Salem High School auditorium to a small gym with its own entrance; Ward 6 will return to the Bates School music room. The city’s state contact inspected both sites for ADA compatibility and the council approved the changes May 22. Fisher said the office will begin public outreach now—maps, mailings, social posts and robocalls—and coordinate signage and traffic control with the Department of Public Works and the police traffic unit.
Important dates and logistics discussed: nomination papers for mayor, councilors and school committee are available in the clerk’s office through Friday, July 25; papers and signatures must be returned by Tuesday, July 29 before 5 p.m. The city’s preliminary election is scheduled for Sept. 16. The elections budget currently does not include the cost of a potential special election for a debt-exclusion ballot for the MSBA high-school project; Finance Director Anna Friedman said that, if the council authorizes a special election, staff would return with an estimated cost and a free-cash request to fund that one-time expense.
Committee action: Councilor Muscillo moved and Councilor Harvey seconded the recommendation to approve the elections and registration FY26 personnel line of $254,718 and expenditures of $56,650, for a department total of $311,368; the committee recorded three members in favor and the recommendation carried.
Staff emphasized recruitment and translator training, noted recent losses in the experienced poll-worker pool (several longtime poll workers passed away), and reported an influx of new civic volunteers following the presidential election cycle. The office is also updating performance measures and correcting state-reporting inputs (VRIS) so the published budget book will reflect accurate voter/early‑voting numbers.
Action and next steps: Elections staff will publish maps and outreach materials, continue bilingual recruitment and training, coordinate site signage and traffic plans with DPW and the police, and return to the council with a cost estimate should a special election be scheduled.
