PORTSMOUTH — Filling the District 11 seat vacated by Sen. Christopher S. Ottiano won’t come cheap for Portsmouth.
Jacqueline S. Schulz, registrar of voters, told the Town Council Monday night that the primary on Dec. 1 and special election on Jan. 5, 2016 will cost an estimated $25,350 each, for a total of $50,700.
The primary is necessary because there are three Democrats running (Amy G. Rice and James A. Seveney of Portsmouth and Brett N. Pelletier of Tiverton), as well as three Republicans (Kenneth John Mendonca of Portsmouth and Joan B. Chabot and John A. Pagliarini, Jr. of Tiverton). Gregory S. Blythe of Portsmouth is running as an independent.
“All of our precincts will be open, because it’s a state senate seat,” said Ms. Schulz.
Because the District 11 seat is a state office but will be decided by local elections, schools may remain open through the day, she said. (They’re closed during general elections.)
However that will require extra security measures at the high school, middle school and Melville School, especially during the periods when buses drop off and pick up students, she said. The town will need to hire police officers for these details, she said. Likewise, the Common Fence Point Community Hall hosts an after-school program that will require the same consideration, said Ms Schulz.
Council member Elizabeth Pedro noted there was no money in the current municipal budget for the elections. “Where are we taking this from?” she asked.
Town Administrator Richard Rainer responded that early tax collections were higher than expected, which has lead to a surplus that will cover the cost of the special elections.
Primary polling places
There will be some changes to the polling areas during the Dec. 1 primary because schools will be in session the day. Here are the districts and their respective polling places:
• 2701: Hope Brown Center at Farnham Farm, Prudence Island (differs from 2014 elections)
• 2702: Portsmouth Multi-Purpose Senior Center, 110 Bristol Ferry Road
• 2703: Common Fence Point Community Hall, 933 Anthony Road
• 2704: Portsmouth High School (old gym), 120 Education Lane
• 2705: Melville School gym, 1351 West Main Road (room differs from 2014 elections)
• 2706: Portsmouth Town Council Chambers, Town Hall, 2200 East Main Road
• 2707: St. Barnabas Church Parish Hall, 1697 East Main Road
• 2708: Portsmouth Middle School, classroom A4, 125 Jepson Lane (room differs from 2014 elections)
More voter information
The last day to register to vote for the special primary elections to be held Tuesday, Dec. 1, is Sunday, Nov. 1.
Ms. Schulz will be at Portsmouth Free Public Library, 2658 East Main Road, from 1 to 4 p.m. that day to accept voter registrations and to answer any questions.
The regular Canvassing Authority office hours at Town Hall, 2200 East Main Road, are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Registration forms are available at the office and online at www.sos.ri.gov.
Mail ballot applications for both elections can be found at http://sos.ri.gov/elections/upcoming.
The preliminary voter list will be posted Friday, Nov. 6. The Board of Canvassers will meet to canvass and make corrections to the list before posting the final canvass on Nov. 13.
Emergency voting at the Canvassing Office begins at 9 a.m. on Nov. 12 and runs through 4 p.m. on Nov. 30.
If you have any questions, call the Canvassing office at 683-3157 or e-mail jschulz@portsmouthri.com.
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