LEWISTON — City officials announced early Monday afternoon that the runoff election for mayor will take place Tuesday, as scheduled, regardless of the pending storm.

All voting citywide will take place at Longley Elementary School, 145 Birch St. Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. The school building will be open Tuesday, even if school is canceled because of the storm, according to City Clerk Kathy Montejo.

A statement from Montejo’s office indicated the city would be working with school personnel and their maintenance staff to review procedures in order to ensure the safety of voters going to the school to cast their ballots.

“They will make sure the parking lots are plowed and the walkways are salted and sanded. Voters are urged to watch the weather, use caution and allow extra travel time to get to the polls,” the statement read.

The National Weather Services is predicting 5 to 9 inches in the Lewiston-Auburn area Tuesday.

Late Monday, both candidates in the mayoral runoff said they would have campaign staff available to give rides to the polls.

Ben Chin said Monday that he has faith that people will turn out to vote, regardless of the weather. But, he said, “we do have volunteers lined up to help give rides to anyone who needs them, and folks can call or reach out through the website or Facebook to let us know.” 

Shane Bouchard said, “We have at least five people standing by to get people there safely.”

“Weather will be a factor,” Bouchard added. “Hopefully it affects Chin and I equally.”

Lewiston voters cast ballots at Longley Elementary School in the 2015 runoff election for mayor. (Sun Journal file photo)

Shane Bouchard, left, and Ben Chin will face off in Tuesday’s runoff election for Lewiston mayor — which will not be delayed by a forecasted storm. (Sun Journal file photos)

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