HomeMy Public PortalAbout2016-12-13 Mtg Minutes Early Voting_201701060929562003MEETING MINUTES
Committee on State, Federal, and Regional Government Committee
Meeting: December 6, 2016 7:00 PM
Report Read: January 10, 2017
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Attending the meeting were
Committee Members Angeline Kounelis chair; Susan Falkoff, vice chair; and Kenneth
Woodland, secretary. Please see the attached sign -in sheet for additional attendees.
The purpose of the meeting was to assess the operation of Early Voting for the
period of 10/24/2016 - 11/04/2016.
Councilor Kounelis started the meeting by commending the Town Clerk and Election
Commissioners for the implementation of early voting in the recent November
presidential race. She particularly noted the large early voting turn out, 5,855
residents, and the low percentage of complaints. All agreed that the staff did a
remarkable job this election season.
Town Clerk John Flynn explained some of the specific regulations from the Secretary
of State (950 CMR 47.00) that guide local municipalities in establishing and
coordinating the early voting process. While the state allows this process, the
wording does not make it a mandate so the cost of implementation is placed on the
municipality. There were a total of 6,737 early votes (early voting, special email
votes, and absentee ballots) this past November, or about 31% of the total votes. All
of this had to be completed in addition to the Clerk's office's traditional duties.
Additionally, post election, 3% of Commonwealth were randomly selected to hand
count their ballots in a state run post -election audit. Watertown was selected as 1 of
66 municipalities and passed said audit.
The Committee inquired as to what could be done better next time, which is
November 2018, and what can we offer to assist in any improvements. It was
explained that there would likely be meetings at the state level to discuss
improvements to procedures and potential new technologies. Watertown will see
what they come up with and make adjustment to continue to improve the voting
process and experience in Watertown.
Watertown's Election Commissioners noted that early voting was a good experience
for Watertown voters. However, there was also a large burden for staff and we may
need more people (especially poll workers) in the future to assist the process and
public. Early voting is best broken down in 2 steps: 1. The voter coming in and
voting AND 2. Processing of those ballots. The second stage can't happen until the
early voting period is over, or 48 hours before election day, so extra hands would
really be helpful on that weekend when all that processing needs to be done.
Additional examples were provided related to managing the "flow" of voting lines,
mimicking voter precinct practices including security, and delivery of ballots.
Mr. Tracy noted how additional staff was provided during the process when it was
realized how big this had become. It was originally projected that about 2000
voters may take advantage of the extra time when much more actually did. Mr.
Tracy said that staff would be collaborating to improve the process.
Councilor Falkoff made the following motions to recommend to the Town Council:
1. That the Town Council instruct the Administration to ask the Town Clerk and
staff to examine what resources will be needed to facilitate and improve the
early voting process moving forward.
2. That the Town Council instruct the Administration to ask the Town Clerk and
staff to examine the logistics of expanding early voting.
Both motions were passed unanimously by the committee, 3-0. The meeting
adjourned at 8:02 PM.
Minutes respectfully prepared by Kenneth Woodland.