By Adam Swift
The majority of Winthrop voters will see a change in their polling locations for the town election on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
The change in polling locations is due to the demolition and abatement of the old middle school this fall, and will be only for this year’s municipal election, according to Town Council President Jim Letterie. All precincts except for Precinct 4 typically vote at the old middle school gym.
For the Nov. 4 election, voters from Precincts 1, 2, and 5 will vote in the Winthrop High School cafeteria. Voters from Precincts 3 and 6 will vote in the Winthrop Middle School Cafeteria.
Precinct 4 voters will continue to vote at O’Connell Hall on Golden Drive.
The town council approved the temporary change in polling locations at its meeting last week.
“The entrance for everyone, except for Precinct 4, will be through the high school,” said Letterie. “You will check in going into the high school; 1, 2, and 5 will stay in the high school and go to the high school cafeteria. Precincts 3 and 6 will move down the hallway to the middle school cafeteria.”
There will be no school for students during election day, but Letterie said there will be professional development for school staff.
Precinct 4 Councilor Suzanne Swope said she wanted to make sure there is plenty of education so voters know where to go on Nov. 4.
“This is going to be very well publicized,” said Letterie. “We will also have signs on the old middle school to make sure people know it’s not there.”
Precinct 5 Councilor Joseph Aiello asked if there were any athletic games or practices taking place at the schools that day that could affect traffic.
“I worry a little bit about traffic management,” said Aiello. “It might be good to have a police detail managing traffic and parking and making sure there is turnover for parking.”