Providence, Fall River and other cities head to polls Tuesday

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Multiple cities in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts will head to the polls today including Providence, Central Falls, Fall River and Taunton.

Providence Ward 2 voters will be deciding the Democratic nominee for a city council seat left vacant after Helen Anthony stepped down in September to focus on her health.

The winner of today’s contest will enter the general election against Republican Axel Brito on December 2.

Central Falls voters will choose four members of the city’s new hybrid school board, with the remaining five being community-appointed.

In the Bay State, Fall River Democratic Mayor Paul Coogan is seeking to retain his office in the city’s election against Republican challenger Gabriel Amaral.

Down the road in Taunton, Republican Mayor Shauna O’Connell seeks re-election as she shares the ballot with Democratic City Councilor Estele Borges.

Borges lost the mayoral election to the incumbent in 2019.

Massachusetts polls open at 7 a.m. and will remain open until 8 p.m., with Rhode Island polls holding the same hours with the exception of New Shoreham.

Those polls open at 9 a.m.