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Bolton registrars warn Windows 11 upgrade could disrupt early voting; request referendum hours and locations fixed in advance
Summary
Bolton’s registrars told selectmen an unannounced Windows 11 push from the town’s IT vendor could prevent early-voting operations unless machines are upgraded by Sept. 19; they also requested setting referendum hours (noon–8 p.m.) and a permanent early‑voting location schedule for next year.
Two Bolton registrars addressed the Board of Selectmen to request clearer advance notification of IT updates and to ask the board to set referendum hours and locations for next year. One registrar said a vendor push to upgrade town computers to Windows 11 occurred during office hours without prior notice, leaving staff without usable machines. The registrar warned, “If that laptop and my computer are not updated by September 19, we're going to be unable to open early voting as required by state law,” and asked for immediate attention because early voting check‑in and scanner operations rely on updated laptops. The registrars also requested that future referenda begin at 12 noon and run through 8 p.m. (the selectmen have authority to set times) and that the May and June referendum locations be set in advance — the May location at the Saint Norris Paris Center and the June location at Bolton High School commons — to reduce public confusion and worker exposure to high heat. Board members acknowledged the request and said they would follow up with IT staff and the vendor (Novus) and coordinate with registrars to ensure equipment is tested well ahead of early‑voting start dates. The board did not adopt a formal change to referendum hours at the meeting but agreed to consider the registrars’ request when planning next year’s budget and referendum messaging.
