LEOMINSTER — During its meeting on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, the Leominster City Council discussed making precincts more even in size, adding a ward and the need for more poll workers after long lines formed at several polling places during the Nov. 3 election.
Ward 1 Councilor Eladia Romero said she waited more than 90 minutes to vote in Ward 1, Precinct A. When the polls closed at 8:00 p.m., she said, “the line was still wrapped around.”
City Clerk Elizabeth Doiron replied, stating that Ward 1, Precinct A is bigger than the ward’s other two precincts, which may have contributed to the longer wait. Doiron added that turnout in the city was unusually high on Nov. 3, perhaps the highest it has been in decades, and that ballot scanners took about 30 seconds to process each page of the three-page bilingual ballot.
“Normally it’s a 14- to 16-hour day. This particular election, my staff, my office, three of us in my office. It was a 24-hour shift this time,” Doiron said. She also said the city needs more poll workers and suggested splitting the day into two shifts.
Councilor At Large Susan Chalifoux-Zephir said the line at the Veterans Center stretched down a ramp and into a dark parking lot. The city had moved Precinct A of Ward 4 there from the Senior Center, bringing all three Ward 4 precincts to one site. She also reported long lines at City Hall, where Ward 5 voted. Councilors also suggested improving lighting and traffic control at the Veterans Center.
Councilor At Large Brandon Robbins asked if the city could distribute voters more evenly across precincts. “I don’t want to discourage people from voting,” he said. The council also discussed adding a ward, and Doiron raised the possibility of creating a commission dedicated to running elections.
Doiron said ballots processed in advance were tallied at City Hall after polls closed and combined with Election Day totals. The city was still certifying the results as of the meeting, she said, adding that it had until Nov. 18 to finish counting all ballots.
The council’s discussion ended without a vote on any changes.
