Public Statement Regarding Town of Acushnet Annual Town Election Hours from Pamela A. Labonte, CMMC Acushnet Town Clerk
I wish to address the concerns expressed by members of our community regarding the reduction in hours for this year’s Annual Town Election held April 28th and to offer my sincere apologies for any inconvenience this decision may have caused.
The adjustment to polling hours was made after careful consideration as part of an effort to responsibly manage municipal resources. This year’s ballot included no contested races, five open seats, and only one known write-in candidate. Based on these factors, voter turnout was anticipated to be limited, and the decision was made to align election operations accordingly.
The Board of Selectmen’s decision was based on my recommendation, and my 18 years of experience administering local elections and evaluating voter participation trends.
To ensure continued access to the voting process, early voting by mail was available for a full month prior to Election Day. In addition, absentee voting remained available until noon on the day before the election, providing residents with multiple opportunities to participate.
The Town Clerk’s office undertook multiple efforts to communicate the adjusted election hours and related information. These included discussion at a public Board of Selectmen’s meeting; postings on Facebook; notices on the Town’s website and on the calendar pages of all Boards and Commissions; direct notifications to subscribers of the Town’s alert system; messaging on six digital signs located throughout the community; and the posting of the warrant and sample ballot in 13 public locations.
I recognize, however, that changes to established voting hours may present challenges and may not have met the needs or expectations of all voters. I regret any frustration this may have caused and take these concerns seriously.
I, also, wish to clarify that it appears there was some confusion regarding the Old Colony District ballot question related to the proposed new school building project. This question was not included on this election’s ballot. The Old Colony District School Committee voted at its March 26th meeting to place this question on a separate election scheduled to be held on Saturday, June 20th, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Please note, absentee voting will be allowed, however, early voting will not be available for this election.
If there is a positive outcome from this situation, it is the level of community engagement it has generated. I am encouraged by the increased public interest and hope it will inspire broader participation in local government.
Resident feedback remains essential as I evaluate this experience and work to ensure that future elections balance accessibility with responsible stewardship of public resources. I appreciate the community’s engagement and continued participation in the democratic process.
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