Resident urges Select Board to pursue electronic voting for Danvers representative town meeting

Lauren Steeves, a town meeting member from Precinct 3, told the Select Board she had surveyed colleagues and compiled vendor pricing and references to make a case for electronic voting at Danvers representative town meeting.

Steeves said she polled 144 town meeting members and received 81 responses (56% response rate), with about 64% in favor of electronic voting. She described a 2023 example in which a voice vote and subsequent standing count produced conflicting results and said accurate voting is the central reason to consider technology.

Steeves presented vendor pricing and comparisons, including a quoted price of $9,980 from Meridian Interactive Solutions tailored to Danvers and a roughly $12,000 implementation reported by another nearby town. She cited other Massachusetts communities that use electronic voting and noted that some systems do not require an Internet connection; if a device failed the town would revert to standing or roll-call votes.

The Select Board thanked Steeves for the research and the town manager said the issue would be added to a future agenda for discussion. The board did not take a formal vote at the meeting.

Steeves said she would provide the board with the materials she referenced and asked the board to direct the town manager to seek multiple vendor proposals that include purchase and rental options, training, support, and warranties.

Why it matters: Representative town meetings decide many local matters; proponents say accurate vote tabulation and transparency are vital for trust in outcomes. The board's next step is expected to be a formal staff-level cost-and-risk assessment and an agenda item for future discussion.