Taunton elections office readies for Sept. 23 preliminary as early voting begins

Director Mark Pacheco told the Taunton Elections Commission on Tuesday that preparations are under way for the city—s preliminary election, scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 23, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

"Everythings under way, preparing for the preliminary, which is, of course, a week from today, next Tuesday, September 23," Pacheco said. He reported that ballots — both vote-by-mail/absentee and Election Day — are available and that, "as of yesterday, 728 ballots" had been mailed. Early voting opened Saturday; the director said turnout so far has been modest but regular business-hour early voting is available at Taunton City Hall, 2nd Floor, Silver City Room.

Pacheco said the Veterans of Foreign Wars post will be used as a new polling location on Election Day, replacing the Department of Public Works location previously used. "We're hoping to have a really good voting experience there," he said.

Commissioners asked several procedural questions about ballot deadlines and whether local practice can be aligned with national rules. Pacheco said the Election Commissioner Handbook and state law determine much of the process and that the commission would have limited flexibility to change statutory deadlines. "For the preliminary and the general, with certainty that those ballots are due by the close of polls at 08:00," he said, adding that staff would review and update press materials for city elections to make the rules clearer.

The commission heard turnout figures for recent early-voting days: Pacheco said Monday—s early-voting count was 37 and the most recent report showed 32 voters as of midafternoon; he encouraged continued outreach to improve participation in future elections.

The commission did not take a formal vote on policy changes at the meeting; Pacheco offered additional staff training and materials if commissioners wanted more instruction on responsibilities such as nominations, election worker appointments and voter registration.

The commission scheduled its next meeting during discussion of the agenda; no further changes to polling sites or election rules were adopted at the session.