Taunton elections office outlines Nov. 4 logistics; preliminary-election turnout certified

Elections Director Pacheco told the Taunton Elections Commission on Oct. 21 that the preliminary election was "a success," reporting turnout at just over 7.25 percent: 3,194 of 43,991 registered voters cast ballots. The office certified the preliminary results on Sept. 29, six days after Election Day, and posted unofficial results to the city website the night of the election.

Director Pacheco said ballots for the Nov. 4 city election have been proofed and printed and that large vote-by-mail mailings have been completed. Applications for vote-by-mail received now are mailed the next business day. The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 5 p.m. The director reminded voters that ballots cast by mail must be in the elections office by the close of polls on election day (8 p.m.) to be counted, noting this is a state-law requirement.

The office will operate early voting at City Hall’s Silver City Room, second floor: Saturday, Oct. 25 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Oct. 27–31 during regular business hours. A secure drop box is available at the rear of City Hall, and voters also may hand-deliver ballots to the elections office rather than use the post office. In-person absentee voting will be available until Monday, Nov. 3 at 12 p.m.; absentee voting requires the voter to sign that an allowed reason applies.

Director Pacheco described the election-night transmission and return process: wardens will shut down the DS200 optical tabulators, read unofficial results aloud at each precinct, seal ballots and return tabulators, voted ballots and paperwork to City Hall. Wardens and clerks return with a police officer; the elections office uses a checklist to confirm all materials arrived. Results from each DS200 are transcribed into the office’s results spreadsheet for public presentation.

The director also reviewed chain-of-custody and security arrangements: ballots and equipment are under continuous supervision after the close of polls, and police escorts accompany returns of equipment and voted ballots to City Hall. The office will query wardens and clerks on return to confirm whether the polling place operation proceeded as planned.

Commissioners asked operational questions about clocks used to mark close of polls and about whether commissioners should attend the elections office on election night. Director Pacheco said the office establishes which clock to use and announces it; the warden at each precinct controls the poll closing. On attendance, Director Pacheco said commissioners are welcome to observe election night in the office and that the solicitor's office advised the commission could post attendance as a public meeting if a quorum is expected.

The commission also discussed signage and conduct at polling locations under Massachusetts law. Director Pacheco reiterated that under M.G.L. ch.54 §65 a 150-foot buffer from polling-place entrances is to be free from activity that interferes with voters; campaign signs may be moved to the sidewalk or otherwise removed if they interfere with voters. The city supplies 150-foot markers for each polling place, and police officers assist wardens in enforcement.

The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session under M.G.L. ch.30A §21(a)(7) to review executive-session minutes; the commission voted by roll call and did not return to open session.