Voter's guide to Fall River's primary election. What you need to know.

For Fall River political candidates, the 2023 election season has already been in full swing for months, gathering signatures, making speeches, filling out paperwork, sharing lawn signs and raising campaign funds. For your average citizen, though, the time is now — which means it’s time to narrow down some choices.

As an off-year election, there are no major national or state offices up for grabs. But this doesn’t make this election unimportant — it’s crucial to make your voice heard at the local level.

Not sure who’s running for what offices, or how to vote? Here are some facts you need to know:

Fall River election: Fall River's mayoral candidates state their platforms

When is the next 2023 election?

In Fall River, there’s a preliminary election on Tuesday, Sept. 19. That sets the stage for the general election on Nov. 7. 

What races are on the ballot in September?

Fall River has two municipal races in the primary: the mayor’s race and the City Council race. The School Committee race did not attract enough candidates to require a primary, and will be decided in the general election.

Who’s running for mayor in Fall River?

Incumbent Mayor Paul Coogan is running for re-election, facing challengers Sam Sutter and Michael Vandal.

Why Mayor Coogan wants a third term: 'We’re going to ... just keep elevating ourselves'

Sutter wants his old job back: He promises to 'deliver results' with a plan.

What should I know about the mayoral candidates’ history?

Coogan has been mayor of Fall River since 2019. He took the reins from former mayor Jasiel F. Correia II, who was driven out of office by fraud and extortion scandals, for which Correia is currently serving a six-year federal prison term. Prior to being elected mayor, Coogan served on the School Committee and was a longtime educator in the city’s public school system.

Sutter served one year as Fall River’s mayor in 2015. He won the job during a special election in December 2014 that saw mayor Will Flanagan recalled; Sutter fulfilled the remainder of Flanagan’s term until the next regularly scheduled city election in November 2015. Sutter lost that race to Correia — who went on to serve until his ouster. Before being elected mayor, Sutter was the Bristol County district attorney from 2007 to 2014, and an assistant district attorney before that. He currently has a private practice.

Vandal previously ran in the primary election for the mayor’s office in 2021, against Coogan, former City Councilor Cliff Ponte, and Jonathan Albernaz. Vandal came in fourth place with 50 votes.

The Herald News asked the candidates to state their platforms, and published their responses in their own words. Coogan highlighted what he called the stability and transparency he's brought to the city's top office, and pointed to major infrastructure improvements. Sutter said he would work to reduce taxes, fight violent crime and promote affordable housing. Vandal stated that he would make police and fire "a separate program," and included rent control and homelessness as issues of concern.

Official specimen ballot: Get a look at Fall River's 2023 ballot for the preliminary election

Who is running for Fall River City Council?

Nineteen candidates are vying for nine spots on the City Council. Eight incumbent councilors are running for re-election:

• Shawn Cadime

• Joseph Camara

• Michelle Dionne

• Bradford Kilby

• Pam Laliberte

• Andrew Raposo

• Linda Pereira

• Laura Jean Washington

Councilor Leo Pelletier, who has had health setbacks, is not running for re-election.

Challenging the incumbents are:

• Gabriel “Boomer” Amaral

• Paulo Amaral

• Paul Hart

• Bob Pearson

• Cliff Ponte

• Gloria Saddler

• Joseph Salvador

• Alexander Silva

• Jordan James Silvia

• Joshua Teixeira

• Ricky Tith

Ponte is attempting a return to the council; he served as its president and as acting mayor in 2019, before leaving to make a run for the mayor’s office in 2021.

Hart is currently a School Committee member, having served on that board from 2011 to 2015 and again from 2019 to the present. He previously served as a city councilor from 1995 to 2001.

Most of the candidates for City Council shared their platforms with The Herald News, which were published in their own words. Among the issues discussed were housing, economic development, crime, utility costs, and the commuter rail.

Can I still register to vote in the September preliminary?

No. You have to be registered at least 10 days before the election date. But you can register for the general election.

Can I vote in the September preliminary early or by mail?

There’s no in-person early voting for the preliminary, but you can vote early by mail.

How do I get a mail ballot, and how do I send it back?

The deadline to get a mail ballot for the preliminary election was Tuesday, Sept. 12. If you don't already have one now, you're out of luck.

If you already have a mail ballot, you can send it back any time up until Election Day, but they must be received by then — meaning, not just postmarked by Election Day. Ballots are only counted if they're in an election officer's hands by Election Day.

Mail ballots can be returned in any postbox, or returned to a dropbox at Government Center.

To get a mail ballot for the general election, fill out an application, which is available either online or at the Fall River Board of Elections office, and return it at least five business days before the general election — or Tuesday, Oct. 31, by 5 p.m.

Dan Medeiros can be reached at dmedeiros@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News today.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Registering, vote by mail: 8 facts about Fall River's primary election