Newton Election Commission Votes to Move Ward 2 Precincts to Cougar Center

NEWTON — June 24, 2026 — Newton Election Commission recommends moving two Ward 2 precincts to the new Cougar Center. The commission voted unanimously at its June 24 meeting to recommend relocating Ward 2 Precincts 2 and 3 from Cabot Elementary School to the fully ADA-compliant Cougar Center, which commissioners described as offering a large gymnasium, dedicated parking, and no conflict with school-day operations. Jill Seppa, the newly appointed deputy city clerk serving as interim city clerk during City Clerk Drew's unexpected medical leave, briefed the commission on sweeping staffing changes: the elections manager and deputy roles have been merged into one, two new administrative clerks are being onboarded this month, and poll worker coordinator Samantha Schumacher is preparing for her first fall election. The commission also voted unanimously to maintain existing police details at all polling locations and elected a member identified as Nancy as its new chair under a rotating system. Nine ballot questions remain pending for the fall, with staff warning the ballot will be "the longest we've ever seen" and flagging a pending Supreme Court ruling on mail-in voting and the SAFE Act as potential triggers for an emergency commission meeting.