MATTAPOISETT — The Town of Mattapoisett has grown large enough that it will now require two voting precincts on election day, according to Town Administrator Mike Lorenco who broke the news at a Sept. 28 Select Board meeting.

“It is unfortunate and I know it’s a pain but it comes with the territory,” said Town Administrator Mike Lorenco.

The requirement to split the town into two precincts is based on new population data collected in the 2020 census that shows the town has grown to over 6,500 inhabitants.

Despite the requirement to add a precinct, both can still be housed in the same building.

“We would try to use the same location [for both precincts],” said Lorenco.

But extra costs would still be included in the change.

The town would be required to staff additional poll workers and buy another voting machine to equip the new precinct. Lorenco estimated that a voting machine would cost the town about $5,000 plus the cost of software.

Select Board Member Jordan Collyer recalled that the town had once been able to avoid splitting its precinct by showing that it didn’t have enough registered voters to warrant the change, despite being on the cusp of the population limit.

Lorenco said he was not familiar with such an exemption but would look into it and would also examine other options to delay or avoid the change.