Things to know ahead of Tuesday's recall election

FALL RIVER -- Voters will head to the polls Tuesday to decide whether to recall indicted Mayor Jasiel Correia II and elect his replacement. Here are five things to know about the city’s second recall election in five years.

Why are we having a recall election? The recall election was called after Correia was indicted on nine counts of wire fraud for allegedly defrauding investors and four counts of filing false tax returns. He pleaded not guilty. Public officials, including Gov. Charlie Baker, asked Correia to step aside, but Correia refused, telling residents they would have to vote him out of office. A group of 10 registered voters instigated the recall, and about 4,500 voters signed a petition that triggered the election. Recall petitioners contend that Correia is unable to carry out the duties of his office while under federal indictment. Supporters of Correia highlight his stewardship of the city and the fact that Correia has not been proven guilty of any charges.

Who's running? Five candidates are running in the recall election, including Correia. The other candidates are City Councilor Joseph Camara, School Committee Member Paul Coogan, school administrator Kyle Riley and non-profit worker Erica Scott-Pacheco.

When and where can I vote? And how? Polls open Tuesday at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. There are nine wards in the city and 29 precincts. The ballot for the vote is two parts. On the top half of the ballot, voters will select whether to recall Correia. A "Yes" vote is to recall Correia; a "No" vote is to reject the recall. On the bottom half of the ballot, voters will choose the candidate they want to be mayor should the recall portion pass.

What are the possible outcomes? A majority of voters could choose not to recall the mayor, in which case Correia remains in office through the duration of his two-year term, which is up in November. Even if a majority of voters vote to recall the mayor, Correia could still win the election -- if he earns more votes than any other candidates. If the majority choose to recall Correia, the top vote getter will be elected mayor.

When will we know the results? Unofficial election results will be available after polls close on Tuesday at 8 p.m.. Board of Elections Chairwoman Kelly Souza-Young said the city received about 600 absentee ballots before the deadline at noon on Monday. She said she expects 20 to 25 percent of voters will turn out to the polls on Tuesday. A presidential election typically pulls 60 percent of Fall River voters to the polls, she said. Voter turnout for the city’s last recall election in 2014 was 32 percent.

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