HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 6251        FILED ON: 6/25/2026

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Alan Silvia and Michael J. Rodrigues

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
 Court assembled:

 The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to Fall River polling places.

_______________

PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 6251        FILED ON: 6/25/2026

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

_______________

An Act relative to Fall River polling places.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

 SECTION 1. Notwithstanding Section 24 of Chapter 54 of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, the City Council in the City of Fall River may, by recorded and public vote, change any polling place previously designated under said Section 24 to be used at the election not less than 20 days prior to the date of the election if it is determined that the public convenience or public health would be better served; provided, however, that alcoholic beverages shall not be served or consumed in that portion of a building used as a polling place during voting hours or while ballots are being counted therein. The City Council may designate polling places in non-adjacent precincts if they determine the public convenience or public health would be better served. In making a decision to change a polling place, the City Council shall evaluate and report on whether such change would have a disparate, adverse impact on access to the polls on the basis of race, national origin, disability, income or age and, not later than 3 days prior to changing a polling place, the City Council shall make publicly available on its website and at the office of the City Clerk a report on its evaluation. When the polling places have been designated pursuant to this act, the Board of Registrars shall post on the municipal website and at other such places as it may determine a description of the polling places and shall notify voters by using an electronic means, to the extent available, such as via email or reverse 911 call.

 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.