Regional election monitor flags new voting equipment, urges post-election analysis

Carol Conklin, RiverCOG's regional election monitor, told the board that the rollout of new ES&S voting equipment has produced high "office tensions" and required significant additional training for registrars.

"We are very, very close to the election," Conklin said, adding that many registrars are still learning the new system and that dedicated state support — including a phone line and about 40 ES&S company staff positioned statewide on election day — has been made available.

Conklin urged towns to track turnout data and to share those statistics with RiverCOG after the municipal election. "That analysis will be important after," she said, arguing that post-election numbers will help lawmakers decide whether municipal early-voting timeframes should differ from midterm or presidential cycles.

Board members raised questions about whether recent legislative sessions had curtailed municipal preparation time and whether regional advocacy — such as a coordinated group letter to legislators — would be more effective than individual town outreach. Conklin said she had heard mixed reports about the legislature's role and recommended collective pressure.

Conklin also reminded registrars to consult published procedure manuals: "Probably 80% of the questions I'm getting... I'll send them a screenshot of the manual. It's in the manual. Just wanna remind you, follow what's in the manual. Don't try to create your own thing." She said many issues reflect the newness of the equipment rather than unique procedural failures.

The board did not take formal action on Conklin's recommendations at the meeting; members asked staff to circulate guidance and consider a coordinated letter or group outreach to state legislators if post-election data suggests systemic problems.