Fall River City Clerk Alison Bouchard randomly picked the names of the mayoral candidates to determine who will place first, second, and third place on the ballot in the preliminary election on September 17th.
The first name chosen was mayoral candidate Erica Scott-Pacheco, followed by School Committee member Paul Coogan. Incumbent Mayor Jasiel Correia II was picked for third place.
Bouchard picked the names from sealed envelopes encased in what appeared to look like a fish bowl at the Board of Elections special meeting at Government Center last night. Board of Elections Chairperson Kelly Souza Young told FRC Media News, she wanted the drawing held in open session, and with the city clerk present, to avoid violating open meeting laws.
This is the first time that Fall River, per City Charter, is required to take part in a lottery for ballot placement. A second lottery will be held once the preliminary election is certified, and before the November 5th final election for all three races – mayor, city council, and school committee. Names for the latter two groups did not have to be chosen since neither the city council or school committee have preliminary races.
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