Fall River Faces Shortest Election Ballot in Recent History with Five Mayoral Candidates

The only local race that will hold a preliminary election in September is the mayoral race.

Saturday was the deadline for would-be candidates to turn in signatures. 

There are currently five potential mayoral candidates, 14 City Council hopefuls, and 10 people vying for the School Committee.

That means city voters will be looking at the shortest ballot in recent voting history, according to chief elections official, Ryan Lyons.

A symptom of election apathy in a city that once saw dozens of candidates vying for a spot on the November ballot.

Lyons said he reached out to state election officials to find the shortest ballot allowed.

“We’re used to elections with multiple candidates running in the preliminary, with ballots 18 to 20 inches. They told me the shortest is 11 inches,” said Lyons.

A preliminary run-off requires 19 candidates for the Council and 13 for School Committee.

The deadline for candidates to return notice that their signatures are valid and have met the required number of signatures is August 2 to get their name on the September ballot.

Who’s running for mayor?

Incumbent Mayor Paul Coogan is on the ballot, as is Carlos Cesar, Michael J. Vandal, and Gabriel “Boomer” Amaral.

Candidate Christopher Silvia has submitted his signatures and is expected to file his certified signatures before the deadline, according to Lyons.

Who’s running for City Council?

Incumbents Linda Pereira, Andrew Raposo, Brad Kilby, Joseph Camara, Paul Hart, and Cliff Ponte are officially on the November ballot, with Shawn Cadime, Michelle Dionne, and Ricky Tith needing to submit certifications.

Christopher Michael Peckham, Louis Alves Melim, and Michael Canuel will be on the November ballot, with Nathan Silvia and Jonathan D. Lima expected to turn in their certified signatures.

Who’s running for School Committee?

Incumbents Tom Khoury and Collin Dias are on the November ballot, with Kevin Aguiar needing to meet the certification deadline.

John Silvia, Shanell Joy Stewart, and Marc Nathaniel Mollicone will see their names on the ballot in November.

Randy Scott Dudek, Ana Cristina Riley, Emanuel Moniz, and Shiv Thakur are expected to submit their certifications.