Thousands Of Melrosians Will Likely Vote At Middle School Gym

MELROSE, MA — All residents who are voting in person in the two elections later this year will almost certainly be doing so at one location.

The City Council concluded a brief Appropriations Committee meeting Monday night by voting to approve the city's request to consolidate Election Day voting in September and November to the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School gym.

The vote was 7-3 in favor. Councilors Mark Garipay, Shawn MacMaster and Cory Thomas were the dissenting votes. Councilor Maya Jamaleddine was not present.

The request still must be approved at a full Council meeting.

The changes will take place only for the Sept. 1 state primary and Nov. 3 presidential election.

Bringing voters from all 14 precincts into one location in the midst of a pandemic has raised some eyebrows. City officials, however, expect 70-80 percent of voters to take advantage of expanded early voting or vote-by-mail, voting allowances signed into law earlier Monday by Gov. Charlie Baker.

At that rate even an unprecedented 90 percent turnout would see between 3,500-5,500 voters spread over 13 hours on Election Day.

Fueling the change is a poll worker shortage due to the pandemic. City Clerk Amy Kamosa said last month that half the workers, including 10 of 14 wardens, had notified the city they won't be working the fall elections. Consolidating the remaining and new workers under one roof will help communication in what are expected to be busy elections, particularly in November.

The change is also due to the coronavirus itself, as most current polling locations house vulnerable residents and/or can't provide proper social distancing.

The middle school gym provides some 17,000 square feet of space, is separate from the rest of the building, has overflow potential at the Marcoux Gym and multiple entrances and exits. Voting will still take place by ward and precinct.

Some councilors last month raised concerns about bringing so many people into one indoor area during COVID-19, communicating such drastic changes to people and making sure voters, especially elderly ones, are able to get to the middle school gym.

"These are extraordinary times," Councilor Robb Stewart said Monday before voting in favor. "It is the responsibility of both the government and the people to accommodate these times the best we can."

The location change was backed by the School Committee, Mayor Paul Brodeur's office and Health Director Ruth Clay.

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