OPINION: Fall River Voter Turnout Plummets: Less Than 6,300 Cast Ballots in 2025 Mayoral Preliminary Race

By Hershel Nobleman

Fall River, MA — Once a city where nearly 18,000 residents turned out to vote in local elections, Fall River’s civic engagement has sharply declined over the past decade. According to official election tallies from 2007 through 2023, fewer than 11,000 voters cast ballots in the most recent mayoral race — a drop of nearly 40% compared to the city’s peak in 2009.

In 2009, when Will Flanagan defeated Cathy Viveiros, 17,964 voters participated. 

That number remains the modern high-water mark for turnout in Fall River. Over the last 20 years, only Flanagan was able to hit above that 10,000 benchmark. 

Since then, participation has steadily eroded, with only 10,953 ballots cast in 2023, when Mayor Paul Coogan was re-elected over challenger Sam Sutter.

Several factors may be driving this decline in civic participation:

1. Voter Apathy and Disillusionment


Fall River has endured a turbulent political era, with multiple mayoral scandals, frequent recalls, and a revolving door of leadership. This may have left many residents skeptical about whether their vote makes a difference.

2. Lack of Competitive Races


While some elections, such as 2015’s contest between Jasiel Correia and Sam Sutter, drew relatively strong engagement (15,889 votes cast), more recent races have seen smaller fields and less competition. Lower perceived stakes often lead to reduced voter motivation.

3. Changing Demographics


Population shifts and generational differences in voting habits may also play a role. Younger voters are often less likely to participate in local elections, particularly when compared to presidential races.

4. Structural Barriers


Election Day logistics — such as weekday voting, limited outreach, and confusion about registration — continue to depress turnout, especially in working-class cities like Fall River where many residents juggle multiple jobs.

A Call for Engagement

The numbers are striking: Fall River has roughly 60,000 registered voters, yet fewer than one in five participated in the 2023 mayoral election. If the city hopes to strengthen its civic life, leaders may need to rethink how to re-energize the electorate — from expanding early voting options to better outreach in schools, community centers, and immigrant neighborhoods.

The real measure of democracy isn’t just how many people can vote, but how many actually do. For Fall River, the challenge is clear: reversing a decade-long decline in civic participation before local democracy becomes a spectator sport.