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Boston elections officials seek electronic poll books, more staff and equipment ahead of 2025 cycles
Summary
Elections leaders told the City Council committee they have issued an IFB for electronic poll books, expect a June procurement decision, and warned the current ballot-processing equipment and staffing levels would complicate adding ranked-choice voting without additional investment.
Boston elections officials told the City Council Committee on Ways and Means on May 13 that they have issued an invitation for bid (IFB) for electronic poll books and asked the council to consider funding and staffing changes to support upcoming election cycles and possible changes in ballot rules.
Commissioner of Elections (Commissioner Tavares) and supporting officials described how voting methods have shifted in recent years and said the department is processing more mailed and absentee ballots: “In 2024 we shifted from mostly in-person early voting to now, 30% absentee and vote by mail,” an elections official said.
Elections staff said the IFB seeks electronic poll books that would allow poll workers to access the citywide voter list at precincts, provide turn-by-turn directions to a voter who is at the wrong precinct and support real-time communications and broadcast messaging to poll workers…
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