Transmitting communication from Owen C. O'Riordan, Acting City Manager, relative to a request from the Board of Election Commissioners recommending the relocation of the Ward 1 Precinct 1 polling site, in accordance with Chapter 255 of the Acts of 2020, as amended by Chapter 5 of the Acts of 2021 and Chapter 29 of the Acts of 2021

1 CITY OF CAMBRIDGE BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS 51 Inman Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 ▪ Telephone [phone removed] ▪ TTY: [phone removed] Fax: [phone removed] ▪ Email: Elections2@cambridgema.gov ▪ Website: www.cambridgema.gov/election COMMISSIONERS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ethridge A. King, Jr. Tanya L. Ford-Crump Larry W. Ward Charles J. Marquardt ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Victoria A. Harris Lesley Waxman To: Owen O’Riordan, Acting City Manager From: Board of Election Commissioners Date: July 26, 2022 Re: RECOMMENDATION TO RELOCATE THE POLLING SITE FOR WARD 1 PRECINCT 1 In accordance with Chapter 255 of the Acts of 2020, there are procedures required when moving precincts or polling locations which affects any polling place changes. The section states: “Notwithstanding section 24 of chapter 54 of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, the select board, board of selectmen, town council or city council may, by recorded and public vote, change any polling place 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. If the select board, board of selectmen or town council determines that the public convenience or public health would be better served, they may house all polling places in a single building within the municipality, if such building is suitably equipped; 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. In cities, 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 select board, board of selectmen, town council or 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, shall make publicly available on its website and at the office of the town or city clerk a report on its evaluation. When the polling places have been designated pursuant to this section, 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

2 and shall notify voters by using an electronic means, to the extent available, such as via email or reverse 911 call.” The City’s primary responsibility is to conduct fair elections in a manner that facilitates maximum voter participation while minimizing voter confusion and risk during COVID-19. Accordingly, “the select board, board of selectmen, town council or city council may, by recorded and public vote, change any polling place 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...” With the everchanging status of the coronavirus and lack of available and suitable locations to serve as polling places it has been determined by the City of Cambridge Board of Election Commissioners (“Board”) that public health and convenience would be better served if some polling sites were relocated. In addition, in response to the increase in population as per the 2020 Federal Census, the Election Commission, with the assistance of the Cambridge GIS department, submitted the 2020 Re-Precincting Plan to the Local Election District Review Commission (“LEDRC”) and it was approved. The City of Cambridge will maintain its eleven (11) wards and thirty-three (33) precincts but will now add new nine (9) sub-precincts. There will be twenty-five (25) polling sites, 33 precincts and nine (9) new sub- precincts. Board has located a suitable location to serve as polling site for Ward 1 Precinct 1 that would meet state regulations and be in the same ward and precinct with hopes of providing voter convenience and to minimize voter confusion. The proposed polling location was evaluated, and the Board determined that this site will not have a “disparate adverse impact on access to the polls on the basis of race, national origin, disability, income or age...” The proposed location is accessible for all voters, near previously used polling locations, and provides enough space to accommodate the necessary voting equipment and supplies and social distancing of poll workers, and voters. In accordance with 950 CMR 51:00 “Polling place accessibility for elderly and handicapped voters” a Polling Place Accessibility Survey completed for the proposed relocation site to enable the Board to determine that it is fully accessible for all voters and suitable as a polling location. In addition, the Board will adhere to public health guidelines and ensure election workers receive training on properly sanitizing equipment, PPE and social distancing to mitigate public health risks. The following is the recommended relocation site for Ward 1 Precinct 1 polling place:

3 Precinct 2021 Polling Place 2022 Polling Place Relocation 1-1 Community Charter School of Cambridge, 245 Bent Street 222 Jacobs Street, Conference Center At a meeting held on Monday, July 25, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. the Board voted 4 in favor, 0 against, to submit this request recommending the relocation of certain polling places to the City Council for review and determination as per Chapter 255 of the Acts of 2020. The draft 2022 City of Cambridge Polling Precincts list, which includes the recommended polling place for Ward 1 Precinct 1, is attached for your convenience.