Taunton elections commission adopts observation, transmission policy and posts posters ahead of Nov. 4

The Taunton Elections Commission on Oct. 21 adopted a policy clarifying where observers may stand during closeout and how election equipment and ballots are to be returned to City Hall, and approved a companion poster to be posted at City Hall and all polling locations.

The commission moved quickly after Elections Director Pacheco recounted disruptive behavior during the recent preliminary election, including an allegation that City Councilor John McCall interfered with an election worker’s ability to close a door. Director Pacheco said the policy draws on Massachusetts law and clarifies procedures for observation areas, expected observer conduct and enforcement steps.

"We needed the policy to more clarify City Hall," Director Pacheco said, explaining that the document has three parts: background, statutory law and the policy itself. The policy establishes a clearly marked observation area at City Hall equivalent to observation areas at polling locations, and states that observers may "observe without dialogue or disruption" of staff carrying out the closeout process.

The policy also mandates that election officials post the text of applicable Massachusetts general laws and the observation poster in visible locations at City Hall and at polling places. Director Pacheco told the commission the police department has received the law text and will coordinate enforcement during closeout procedures.

Commissioners amended the motion on the floor to include explicit approval of the "City of Taunton election observation expectations" poster and voted to post the poster on the City of Taunton website under the elections department, to physically post it at City Hall and at all polling locations on election day, and to provide copies to candidates when they pull nomination papers. The motion, as amended, carried on a voice vote.

The policy requires that wardens and clerks read unofficial precinct tabulator results aloud at close of polls, seal voted ballots and return all materials and equipment to City Hall under chain-of-custody procedures. It instructs poll workers and police how to establish and mark an observation area, and directs that observers who interfere with the process be moved to a designated area or the public sidewalk.

Commissioners said the policy will be distributed and reviewed at the scheduled election-worker training so staff and police are familiar with enforcement steps before early voting and election day. The poster and the policy text will be posted online and physically placed at polling locations in advance of Nov. 4.

The commission’s vote follows the preliminary election in which Director Pacheco said voting procedures were otherwise completed and the office later certified results; the policy is intended to make observation and enforcement clearer to the public and election staff.

The commission then proceeded into executive session to review prior executive-session minutes; the commission did not return to open session.