New safety measures, training, staffing and equipment were implemented as a result of a comprehensive review following the presidential primary election in March.
“NEW BEDFORD – The city is implementing a series of reforms after reviewing voter complaints during the March 6 Presidential Primary Election.
Ryan A. Pavao, the city's first assistant acting attorney, has been directed by Mayor John Mitchell to review the complaints and make recommendations for improvements.
Recommendations from the review include:
• Reassigning party ballots at polling places and establishing procedures for inspecting/recounting ballots before distribution to polling places.
• For each election, there will be at least three poll workers, or poll workers, who will be responsible for transporting supplies to and from City Hall.
• Establish procedures for poll workers to automatically request replenishment of ballots when a certain number of ballots is reached.
• Update training requirements to include management staff and police officers.
• Incorporate voting machines and other election equipment into pre-election training.
• Update poll worker training materials to reflect updates and changes in state and federal election laws, and have the materials reviewed by the state elections department before distribution.
• Disseminate educational information to voters especially on political party registration, deadlines and voter registration requirements.
“We are constantly looking for ways to improve the services our city government provides,” Mayor Mitchell said. “These process and training improvements will help ensure our elections run more smoothly.”
“The City has already begun implementing the recommendations and has committed additional resources to the Elections Office. This includes the purchase of new high-speed equipment for counting and mailing ballots, additional voting machines, and staff, some of which are currently pending City Council approval. These investments total $163,000.” – City of New Bedford.