Fall River elections office proposes consolidations, seeks state permission to use Liberal Club as polling site

Elections staff presented proposed consolidation plans on May 27 to move multiple precincts into larger, more accessible facilities and described a pending legislative effort to permit the city council to designate a private venue known as the Liberal Club as a polling location in the South End.

Chairman Lyons said site surveys with the Commission on Disability and the traffic director informed the proposal to consolidate precincts 7A, 8B, 8C and 9A to the Nagle section of Durfee High School (the old Nagle auditorium) to improve parking and ADA access. She also recommended relocating precincts that currently vote at a fire station and other small sites into larger venues such as Saint Anthony’s parish hall, Good Shepherd parish hall and, potentially, the Liberal Club, which the disability commission endorsed.

Lyons explained a legal complication: state law generally bars use of locations that serve alcohol on premises for polling places, but an emergency amendment and COVID‑era rules had previously relaxed that restriction. "I pulled my records out and I had a conversation with John Rosenberry from Secretary Galvin's office," Lyons said, adding that draft language has been filed with local representatives. She named Representative Faiola and Senator Rodericks as sponsors of the special legislation to authorize the city council to designate the Liberal Club for voting.

Lyons acknowledged concerns and described fallback options: if the Liberal Club becomes unavailable in future years, the department could use Henry Lord Middle School, Durfee or Derby High School, or Good Shepherd parish hall; she said the department would not revert to the fire station unless necessary. Lyons noted longstanding ADA and parking complaints at housing‑authority sites (Doolin, LeTourneau) and at high‑rise complexes, which motivated consolidations.

Staff also outlined mitigation measures including reserved handicap parking spaces, golf carts and a loaned minibus for voter transportation, advance signage and PSAs, and a plan to mail direct notices to all registered voters if precincts change. Lyons emphasized timing constraints: the legislature would need to act by mid‑July for the city council to adopt changes with sufficient time to mail notices and comply with the 20‑day legal notification requirement.

The commission discussed contingency signage and staffing at consolidated sites and agreed to continue public education ahead of the primary. No formal vote to change precinct assignments was taken; the item will go to the city council contingent on legislative approval.