BY THOR JOURGENSEN
LYNN — Anticipating record voter turnout for the November presidential election, city councilors are reviewing polling place locations and may consider moving some of them.
City Councilor-at-Large Hong Net is leading the review and said it is likely to focus on Wards 3 and 4, where voters now cast ballots at English High School and the Lynn Museum.
Both locations, in particular the Lynn Museum, have limited parking councilors fear will be overwhelmed if crowds of voters flock to the polls to vote.
“I think at some places there may be changes,” said Council President Dan Cahill.
Ward 4 voters living in the Highlands and neighborhoods near Union, Essex and Ocean streets previously voted at North Shore Community College. Ward 4 polling places moved to the Lynn Museum, at Washington and Union streets, last fall after construction on the college’s addition began.
Museum parking is limited with City Clerk Mary Audley arranging for temporary parking for voters on Washington Street on March 1 when voters cast ballots in the presidential primary. College spokeswoman Linda Brantley on Wednesday said the college is not available as a voting place through next year.
“It’s best not to have crowds of extra people around an active construction site,” she said.
Caleb Dolan, executive director of Knowledge Is Power Program Massachusetts, said the charter school’s faculty and parents welcome the opportunity to host polling places if the council makes it available.
“It’s a great civic endeavor and it would be good for our families,” Dolan said. “They all live close by.”
The council polling place review will also focus on English High School as the current voting location for Ward 3, Net said. The new Marshall Middle School opens in April and Councilor-at-Large Brian LaPierre, who is also on the council poll location review committee, said the Brookline Street school has ample parking for ward voters.
Ward 1 Precinct 2’s current polling place could also come under council review. Pond View adult day health operates its programs for seniors out of city-owned Briarcliff Lodge under an agreement with the city. Acting Director Darcey Adams said Pond View must combine its programs on election days and said she has asked city officials to consider moving precinct voting to another location.
Net said the polling place review will move quickly to implement any changes and notify voters about new polling places.
Thor Jourgensen can be reached at [email protected]
