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Select Board discusses purchase of accessible voting machine after state testing schedule and new requirements
Summary
Officials reviewed a capital need to obtain at least one accessible voting machine for all elections following state testing and evolving requirements; staff cited an equipment estimate around $5,000–$7,000 plus annual costs for voting cards and software maintenance.
Select Board and election officials discussed buying at least one accessible voting machine to comply with new requirements for accessibility at municipal elections and to avoid relying solely on state loaner equipment.
Staff said the state has tightened testing and that while towns can borrow machines from the state for now, localities will eventually need equipment on-hand. Sam (elections staff) estimated roughly $5,000 for a unit; another figure of $7,000 appeared in capital-reserve discussion. The meeting also noted recurring costs: an operating line of $3,350 covers voting-card production, testing and maintenance and tablets or check-in devices for supervisors; staff warned that card costs recur for every election.
The Board discussed whether to fund a one-time warrant article to purchase equipment or to establish a capital reserve for future replacement and software updates. Select Board members favored a single-purchase warrant article timed before an election year rather than a recurring annual reserve, and suggested budgeting for potential software upgrades in operating years.
No formal purchase vote was taken; staff and the town clerk will return with final costs and proposed warrant language.
