Fall River Election Day: Polls are open

FALL RIVER — It's Election Day in Fall River. The polls are open and we will be following live today as city voters head to the polls to elect a new municipal government, with the mayor’s seat, the City Council and the School Committee all on the ballot.

At Calvary Temple, a handful of voters braved the heavy rain to vote during the first 30 minutes of polls being open this morning.

Ashley Leonard, a precinct clerk working at Calvary Temple, said it was a shame that turnout in off-years for state and national elections is typically low. She said initiatives like same-day voter registration could help drive turnout, especially among young and first-time voters.

“Most of the election advertising and campaigning happens right up until the last day. But then it’s too late to register,” she said.

Richard Methot, who voted at Calvary Temple, said he listened carefully to debates and interviews with the mayoral and city council candidates ahead of election day. He was glad to hear Sutter speak about the need for low-income housing and said he hasn’t heard the current mayor do the same. Rents in Fall River are becoming out of control; a good friend of his recently lost their apartment when their rent doubled, he said.

“That cinched it for me,” he said. “Prior to that, I was gonna vote for Coogan.”

Tuesday morning, Tansey Elementary School also saw a slow but steady stream of voters.

Claire Louis said she was there to vote for Coogan and hoped he would build on progress from his first two terms.

“The city seems to be on a positive footing and there seems to be real economic development in several different areas to make a difference in the city,” she said.

What's bringing out early voters?

Many voters on Tuesday morning said that, despite it being an off year, they felt strongly about the importance of voting.

“It’s our right and it’s our duty,” said Lorraine Gallant, moments after casting a ballot for Sutter at Letourneau Elementary School. “If we don’t vote, we have no one to blame but ourselves.”

Mayoral candidates were out holding signs

On the curb near Letourneau, Coogan and Sutter stood on two opposite corners, holding their respective signs and waving at voters as they drove in.

Sutter said it was “hard to say” what his performance would look like at the end of the day, but that he felt assured he had connected with voters.

“The reception for me the last few weeks has been tremendous,” he said.

Coogan said he was feeling confident.

“I’m very encouraged by the response we’ve got,” he said. “It’s just another day at work.”

Here's what you need to know heading to the polls today:

Who's running for mayor in Fall River?

In the mayoral race, incumbent Mayor Paul Coogan, seeking a third term in office, is facing challenger Sam Sutter, former district attorney who also served as mayor for one year in 2015.

Though their race is the most high-profile, the other races are just as important — at least three new people will enter government between vacated incumbent seats on the City Council and School Committee, and the next two years in Fall River could be transformative at many levels.

Who’s running for City Council in Fall River?

Nine councilors will be elected from a field of 18 candidates: incumbents Shawn Cadime, Joseph Camara, Michelle Dionne, Bradford Kilby, Linda Pereira, Andrew Raposo and Laura Jean Washington are seeking reelection; challengers are Gabriel Amaral, Paulo Amaral, Paul Hart, Bob Pearson, Cliff Ponte, Gloria Saddler, Joseph Salvador, Jordan James Silvia, Alexander Silva, Joshua Teixeira and Ricky Tith.

The next council is guaranteed to feature at least two new faces; incumbents Leo Pelletier and Pam Laliberte have opted not to seek re-election.

Who’s running in the School Committee race?

Incumbents Kevin Aguiar, Bobby Bailey, Michelle Mimi Larrivee, Shelli-Ann Pereira and Sara Rodrigues and challengers Warren Alves, Rene Brown, Charles Chase, Collin Dias and Thomas Khoury are running for six spots on the board.

With School Committee member Paul Hart opting to run for City Council, at least one challenger will make it to the board.

What time do the polls open and close in Fall River?

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

When and where do I vote?

To find out where vote, check the Secretary of State’s website and enter your address.

When will the candidates be inaugurated?

Inauguration day in Fall River is always the first Monday in January; but if that falls on a holiday, it takes place the next day. Since January’s first Monday is New Year’s Day, the candidates will take their oaths of office on Jan. 2.

Dan Medeiros can be reached at dmedeiros@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News today.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall River election; mayor's race, city council, school committee