MassVoter.com← Fall River City Council
Fall River Council President
Cliff A. Ponte
At-large · 5 terms in this record
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Council terms
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Start my ballot →Record at a glance · 2018–2019 Council
On split votes, Ponte voted the same way as…
- Pamela S. Laliberte79% (107 of 136)
- Leo O. Pelletier77% (99 of 129)
- Derek R. Viveiros75% (94 of 125)
- Stephen R. Long72% (97 of 134)
- Joseph D. Camara69% (92 of 134)
- Bradford L. Kilby67% (81 of 121)
- Shawn E. Cadime47% (64 of 135)
- Steven A. Camara32% (42 of 132)
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2018–2019 Council only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Ponte as present or absent at the start.
- Only votes the minutes record member by member are counted. Voice votes and votes given only as a count (for example 6-3 with no names) are not.
- Percentages are shown only when there are at least 10 meetings or votes to count.
- A split vote is one where at least one member voted yes and another voted no. “In the minority” means on the side with fewer votes; ties are not counted.
- “Whole council” combines every member’s record for the same term.
These numbers describe the record; they are not a grade. A no vote, an abstention or a minority vote is neither good nor bad. MassVoter never rates officials.
Campaign money
Where the 2025–26 contributions came from
Gifts from individuals
Year by year
| Year | Raised | Spent | Cash at the end |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $5,000 | $225 | $14,711 so far |
| 2025 | $8,000 | $300 | $9,936 |
| 2024 | $0 | $300 | $2,236 |
| 2023 | $46,000 | $44,993 | $2,536 |
| 2022 | $0 | $1,349 | $1,529 |
| 2021 | $63,594 | $69,616 | $2,797 |
| 2020 | $410 | $1,295 | $8,819 |
| 2019 | $12,230 | $11,662 | $9,704 |
As reported to OCPF. See the full reports at OCPF
How to read this
- Candidates report to OCPF, the state’s campaign finance office. Most file with a bank that reports to OCPF, so totals are updated often.
- “Raised” is all money the campaign took in, including loans from the candidate. “Cash on hand” is what was left on the latest report.
- Shares count contributions only, from the line-by-line reports up to the latest bank report date, so they are shown as percentages. “PACs and other political committees” includes party committees. “Small gifts not listed one by one” are gifts of $50 or less that the law lets campaigns report as one total.
- Outside spending is money spent by groups that are not part of the campaign, such as independent expenditure PACs. The candidate does not control it.
- Federal candidates (U.S. Senate and U.S. House) report to the Federal Election Commission, not OCPF, and are not shown here.
- MassVoter updates these numbers every night from OCPF. Last update: October 12, 2026.
These numbers describe the money; they are not a grade. Raising more or less is neither good nor bad. MassVoter does not connect donations to votes or positions.
In the news
- City of Fall River appears to be headed to a 1/12 budget after City Council special meeting cancelledFall River Reporter · Jun 26, 2026
- Fall River mayor, city council president speak out about search warrant controversyWPRI 12 · Mar 27, 2026
- Councilors Ponte and Peckham file motion for formal investigation into Fall River Police Department’s questionable search warrantFall River Reporter · Mar 24, 2026
- New York Bagel Co to open new Dartmouth location at former Sunrise Bakery siteWPRI 12 · Feb 17, 2026
- Mutual Agreement Reached to Terminate WSAR Management Joint Venture and Relocation PlansFall River Reporter · Feb 17, 2026
- New York Bagel Co to open at former Sunrise Bakery Dartmouth locationNew Bedford Guide · Feb 14, 2026
- WSAR radio station sold to new owners, relocation plannedWPRI 12 · Jan 10, 2026
- Big Changes at WSAR: New Management and Fall River Relocation Planned for 2026Fall River Reporter · Jan 10, 2026
- Fall River Educators Association makes endorsements for City Council, School CommitteeFall River Reporter · Oct 27, 2025
- Roger’s Coney Island Hot Dogs to return under new ownershipWPRI 12 · Mar 12, 2025
Stories that name Cliff A. Ponte in the headline or opening, newest first, from 25 free news outlets (see the list). Headlines appear as each outlet published them; MassVoter does not write, choose or rate them. Only stories that are free to read are listed.
Disclosure: MassVoter’s founder, Michael Silvia, is the publisher of Fall River Reporter and New Bedford Guide.
Attendance
At the start of 42 of 42 City Council meetings in 2018–2019 Council.
Missed none.
Every meeting (42)
- Sep 10, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Aug 12, 2019 · Special: Present
- Jul 15, 2019 · Special: Present
- Jun 20, 2019 · Special: Present
- May 28, 2019 · Regular: Present
- May 14, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Apr 23, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Apr 11, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Mar 19, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Mar 19, 2019 · Joint: Present
- Mar 5, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Feb 19, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Feb 5, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Jan 22, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Jan 8, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Jan 2, 2019 · Special: Present
- Dec 18, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Dec 4, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Nov 27, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Nov 6, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Oct 23, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Oct 16, 2018 · Special: Present
- Oct 9, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Sep 25, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Sep 11, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Aug 27, 2018 · Special: Present
- Aug 15, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jul 12, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jun 26, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jun 12, 2018 · Regular: Present
- May 29, 2018 · Regular: Present
- May 15, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Apr 24, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Apr 10, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Mar 27, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Mar 20, 2018 · Joint: Present
- Mar 15, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Feb 27, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Feb 6, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jan 23, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jan 16, 2018 · Special: Present
- Jan 9, 2018 · Regular: Present
Votes where councilors disagreed · 2018–2019 Council
Sep 10Emergency PreambleMotion: to adopt the orderPassed 8–1 · Ponte: Yes
September 10, 2019 · Item i: Emergency Preamble
To adopt the order
Voted: Yes
Yes: Cadime, Joseph D. Camara, Kilby, Laliberte, Long, Pelletier, Ponte, ViveirosNo: Steven A. Camara
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Kilby and seconded by Councilor Cadime, it was voted 8 yeas, 1 nay to adopt the order, with Councilor SCamara voting in the negative. ii.” (Motion: Kilby, second: Cadime)
Sep 10Emergency PreambleMotion: to adopt the orderPassed 8–1 · Ponte: Yes
September 10, 2019 · Item i: Emergency Preamble
To adopt the order
Voted: Yes
Yes: Cadime, Joseph D. Camara, Kilby, Laliberte, Long, Pelletier, Ponte, ViveirosNo: Steven A. Camara
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Kilby and seconded by Councilor Cadime, it was voted 8 yeas, 1 nay to adopt the order, with Councilor SCamara voting in the negative.” (Motion: Kilby, second: Cadime)
Sep 10Emergency PreambleMotion: that in the event counsel for Mr․ Correia seeks the issuance…Passed 8–1 · Ponte: Yes
September 10, 2019 · Item i: Emergency Preamble
That in the event counsel for Mr․ Correia seeks the issuance of a temporary restraining order to prevent the City Council President from acting as Mayor in accordance
Voted: Yes
Yes: Cadime, Joseph D. Camara, Kilby, Laliberte, Long, Pelletier, Ponte, ViveirosNo: Steven A. Camara
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Kilby and seconded by Councilor Cadime, it was voted 8 yeas, 1 nay that in the event counsel for Mr․ Correia seeks the issuance of a temporary restraining order to prevent the City Council President from acting as Mayor in accordance with the preceding vote and Section 3-8 of the City Charter, the City Council authorize it's attorney to agree to the imposition of such order for the purpose of establishing an agreed upon date for the holding of a preliminary injunction hearing and any related scheduling matters and that the Mayor step aside and give the keys to his office to the City Clerk by this Friday at 5:00 p.m., with Councilor SCamara voting in the .” (Motion: Kilby, second: Cadime)
Sep 10Emergency PreambleMotion: to adopt the resolutionPassed 8–1 · Ponte: Yes
September 10, 2019 · Item i: Emergency Preamble
To adopt the resolution
Voted: Yes
Yes: Cadime, Joseph D. Camara, Kilby, Laliberte, Long, Pelletier, Ponte, ViveirosNo: Steven A. Camara
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Kilby and seconded by Councilor Cadime, it was voted 8 yeas, 1 nay to adopt the resolution, with Councilor SCamara voting in the negative.” (Motion: Kilby, second: Cadime)
Sep 10Veto of proposed ordinance to limit number of marijuana…Motion: to lay the veto on the table in accordancePassed 8–0 · Ponte: Not recorded
September 10, 2019 · Item 1: Mayor and veto of proposed ordinance to limit number of marijuana licenses.
To lay the veto on the table in accordance
The minutes record the count as 8 yeas and 0 nays but do not make clear how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Pelletier and seconded by Councilor Laliberte, it was voted 8 yeas to lay the veto on the table in accordance with the Charter.” (Motion: Pelletier, second: Laliberte)
Aug 12Order appropriating $1,000,000 from Employer Trust Fund (FY19) to…Motion: to table the matterFailed 3–5 · Ponte: Yes
August 12, 2019 (Special meeting) · Item 2: Mayor and order appropriating $1,000,000 from Employer Trust Fund (FY19) to General Fund - School Appropriation
To table the matter
Voted: Yes
Yes: Cadime, Laliberte, PonteNo: Joseph D. Camara, Long, Pelletier, Steven A. Camara, ViveirosAbsent: Kilby
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Cadime and seconded by Councilor Laliberte, it was voted 3 yeas, 5 nays to table the matter, with Councilors Cadime, Pam Laliberte and Cliff Ponte voting in the affirmative and Councilor Kilby absent and not voting and the motion failed to carry.” (Motion: Cadime, second: Laliberte)
Aug 12Mayor requesting confirmation of appointment of Paul Ferland as…Motion: to confirm the appointmentPassed 7–1 · Ponte: Yes
August 12, 2019 (Special meeting) · Item 6: Mayor requesting confirmation of appointment of Paul Ferland as Administrator of Community Utilities
To confirm the appointment
Voted: Yes
Yes: Joseph D. Camara, Laliberte, Long, Pelletier, Ponte, Steven A. Camara, ViveirosNo: CadimeAbsent: Kilby
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Long and seconded by Councilor SCamara, it was voted 7 yeas, 1 nay to confirm the appointment, with Councilor Cadime voting in the negative and Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Long, second: Steven A. Camara)
Aug 12Proposed Ordinance — Marijuana Facilities and LicensesMotion: to pass the proposed ordinance through second reading and enrollment, as…Passed 5–2 · Ponte: Not recorded
August 12, 2019 (Special meeting) · Item 20: Proposed Ordinance — Marijuana Facilities and Licenses
To pass the proposed ordinance through second reading and enrollment, as amended
The minutes record the count as 5 yeas and 2 nays but do not make clear how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Long and seconded by Councilor Pelletier, it was voted 5 yeas, 2 nays to pass the proposed ordinance through second reading and enrollment, as amended, with Councilors SCamara and Derek Viveiros voting in the negative and Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Long, second: Pelletier)
Aug 12AdjournmentMotion: that the proposed ordinance be passed to be ordained, as amendedPassed 5–2 · Ponte: Not recorded
August 12, 2019 (Special meeting): Adjournment
That the proposed ordinance be passed to be ordained, as amended
The minutes record the count as 5 yeas and 2 nays (Steven A. Camara and Viveiros voting no, Kilby absent) but do not say which of the other councilors present did not vote. The minutes name no seconder. The Mayor vetoed it on August 23, 2019.
From the minutes
“On a further motion made by Councilor Pelletier, it was voted 5 yeas, 2 nays that the proposed ordinance be passed to be ordained, as amended, with Councilors Steven A. Camara and Derek Viveiros voting in the negative and Councilor Kilby absent and not voting.” (Motion: Pelletier)
Jul 15Proposed Ordinance — Marijuana Facilities, and LicensesFailed 3–4 · Ponte: Not recorded
July 15, 2019 (Special meeting) · Item 16: Proposed Ordinance — Marijuana Facilities, and Licenses
The minutes record the count as 3 yeas and 4 nays but do not make clear how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Pelletier and seconded by Councilor Laliberte to table the proposed ordinance, it was voted 3 yeas, 4 nays with Councilors Cadime, Steven SCamara, Bradford Kilby and Stephen Long voting in the negative and Councilor Camara absent and not voting and the motion failed to carry.” (Motion: Pelletier, second: Laliberte)
Votes with no disagreement (852)
From the official minutes kept by the Fall River City Clerk (agendas and minutes). The minutes are scanned documents; we read them with text recognition, check every vote count against the councilors named, and quote the exact sentence for each vote. MassVoter never grades officials; votes and attendance are shown exactly as the minutes record them. Councilor photos: the nine 2026–2027 councilors from the City of Fall River's official councilor photos (Contact the Council page, fallriverma.gov); earlier councilors cropped from the 2024–2025 council group photo and the 2022–2023 council group photo (as published by Fall River Reporter, September 2022). Trott Lee: from his campaign Facebook page (facebook.com/trottlee4cc). Ricky Tith: from Fall River Reporter (April 2025). 2018–2019 councilors (Steven A. Camara, Stephen R. Long, Derek R. Viveiros) and the 2018–2019 group photo: from the City of Fall River’s FY2019 budget book. Richard Cabeceiras, Raymond A. Mitchell and the 2016–2017 group photo: Herald News photo by Jack Foley (January 2016), provided by the Fall River City Clerk. The 2020–2021 and 2022–2023 group photos: provided by the Fall River City Clerk.
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