The polling location in Chicopee was changed due to fire damage

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – One of Chicopee’s polling locations has changed for the upcoming election, and city leaders are trying to get the word out.

Due to fire damage at the old senior center in Chicopee, residents of District 8a will have a new polling place on Election Day.

Between absentee voting, early in-person voting and Election Day voting options, voters across the country are preparing to cast their ballots in the 2024 election.

Western Mass News spoke with Chicopee City Clerk Keith Rattell about this last-minute change.

“Didn’t necessarily impact the polling place we used; But as you can see, they’re removing the smoke and everything that’s in the air systems now, all the insulation, so there’s no way this will be ready for the election in a week and a half,” Rattell explained.

So on November 5th, District 8a voters will be voting alongside District 8b voters at Anna Barry School.

Rattell says they have made this change public, but are taking more steps to inform voters about the polling location change.

“The state said because it just happened and we only have a week and a half left, they need to station someone here to tell people when they come here where to go.”

He told us reminders would be sent to Chicopee voters in District 8a.

“We took the time to send postcards that will be mailed to all residents of 8a this morning informing them of what happened and where they can vote and the address.”

Additionally, District 8a voters are receiving robocalls telling them they will be voting at Anna Barry School this year, not the old senior center.

Copyright 2024. Western Mass News (WGGB/WSHM). All rights reserved.