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Concord committee backs electronic voting devices and narrows secret‑ballot guidance
Summary
The committee reaffirmed prior support for electronic voting (clickers) to speed votes and provide privacy, debated whether mandatory use should be recommended, and asked staff to study procurement and budget impacts.
The Town Unit Study Committee reaffirmed its support for using electronic voting devices ("clickers") at Concord Town Meeting and discussed how to frame guidance on secret ballots.
Members cited survey data indicating broad support for electronic voting — figures discussed in the meeting ranged around 80–84% in favor — and described clickers as a way to allow privacy for voters without the long time penalty that a paper secret ballot can impose. Proponents said normalizing clicker use can make meetings faster and more accessible; opponents warned mandating clickers for every vote could provoke transparency objections and recommended retaining moderator discretion or allowing motions for private ballots when needed.
The committee noted town staff and the interim CIO are researching procurement and budget implications; the cost was raised as a material constraint because it was not included in the current budget. Members asked staff to report back with options and cost estimates so the Select Board and finance officers can weigh implementation in future budget cycles.
As a practical outcome, the committee will include an explicit recommendation on electronic voting devices in its report and will ask staff for a procurement/budget brief to accompany the Select Board presentation next week.
The committee also concluded that existing rules allow moderators to schedule high-interest articles and run ballots appropriately, and that the final report should document trade-offs between mandatory versus discretionary clicker use.
