THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, September 23, 2022 Page 5 Election Officials: Despite challenges, Malden primary election operations in September get high marks Malden added 11 new precincts, 27 total, for highest number in city history By Steve Freker T he recent Malden primary election may have drawn an expected low turnout and not much fanfare, but there were a number of challenges. Two major facets of the September 6 preliminary vote were the fi rst run at the new precinct system, as well as the fi rst offi - cial use of Malden's new voting machines. Toss in an increased and enhanced translation approach to informing and assisting voters whose fi rst language is not English, and there were "a lot of balls in the air," to reference the common adage. "We also had a lot of personnel who had under a year's experience in our office overall, and some over a few weeks and months." Malden Assistant City Clerk Carol Ann Desiderio told the Malden City Council during an offi cial briefi ng she and City Clerk Greg Lucey provided at Tuesday's regular meeting. Lucey described the plethora of additions to the voting process and praised his staff . "It was challenging, but we did it," he said. "It was a lot to add to the process at once. We went from 16 to precincts to 27 and had to have it in place citywide, ready for the (September 6) election," Lucey said. "We did this regardless of the Malden City Clerk Greg Lucey, right and Assistant City Clerk Carol Ann Desiderio addressed the Malden City Council Tuesday on the details of the recent Malden primary election on September 6. (Advocate Photo) turnout or the expected turnout. Historically is is low for preliminary elections and it was for this one (around 11 percent), but the same process must be in place," he added. The increase in the number of precincts was due to the changes in the voting map due to redistricting. In addition to the new, added precincts — at 27, the most in city history— some voters faced changes in the wards where they voted. With some of the ward lines redrawn, some voters who had previously voted in Ward 8 were voting in Ward 6 this election. Some Ward 3 voters were now voting in Ward 4. "We spent many hours and weeks this year informing the voters in the respective wards of any changes that might aff ect them," Assistant City Clerk Desiderio said. of actions by the offi ce leading up to this election. "Still, there will always be some voters who say they were not aware of a precinct change or other changes.:" Clerk Lucey said the primary election was a good indicator of further changes that will be necessary for the general election set for Tuesday, November 8. "We crammed four precincts into the Beebe School and it was challenging for some voters who had to vote in the gym which is on the third fl oor. We have already been in discussion to poOUR OFFICE HAS MOVED TO 519 BROADWAY, EVERETT SABATINO INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: Rocco Longo, Owner WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM Sorry No Checks - ATM on site Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma Roller skate rentals included in all prices Inline Skate Rentals $3.00 additional BIRTHDAY & PRIVATE PARTIES AVAILABLE www.roller-world.com tentially move the voting for those precincts to a lower fl oor," Lucey said. The City Clerk also referred to ELECTION | SEE PAGE 9 Mackey & Brown Attorneys at Law * PERSONAL INJURY * REAL ESTATE * FAMILY LAW * GENERAL PRACTICE * PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY * CIVIL LITIGATION 14 Norwood St., Everett, MA 02149 Phone: (617) 387-4900 Fax: (617) 381-1755 WWW.MACKEYBROWNLAW.COM John Mackey, Esq. * Katherine M. Brown, Esq. Patricia Ridge, Esq. 425r Broadway, Saugus Located adjacent to Kohls Plaza Route 1 South in Saugus at the intersection of Walnut St. We are on MBTA Bus Route 429 781-231-1111 We are a Skating Rink with Bowling Alleys, Arcade and two TV’s where the ball games are always on! PUBLIC SKATING SCHEDULE 12-8 p.m. Sunday Monday Tuesday $9.00 Price includes Roller Skates Rollerblades/inline skates $3.00 additional cost Private Parties 7:30-11 p.m. $10.00 Price includes Roller Skates Adult Night 18+ Only Wednesday Thursday Friday Everyone must pay admission after 6 p.m. Private Parties Private Parties 4-11 p.m. Saturday 12-11 p.m. $9.00 $9.00 Everyone must pay admission after 6 p.m.
6 Publizr Home