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Bow Town moderators and select board outline new voting technology and election logistics ahead of March 10 vote
Summary
Town Moderator Peter Imy and the select board confirmed the March 10 town election will be at Bow Memorial School from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., described new check-in and tabulation systems (poll pads, OmniBallot, a new tabulator) and discussed staffing, vendor hotlines and contingency plans for the first use of the equipment.
Town Moderator Peter Imy told the Bow Town Select Board on March 9 that the town election will be held Tuesday, March 10 at Bow Memorial School from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and he previewed several new pieces of election technology the town will use for the first time.
Imy said officials will use poll pads to speed voter check-in, the state-provided OmniBallot system for assisted voting, and a new tabulator that digitally images every ballot to simplify post-election review. He also said ballot item number three will be treated as a secret ballot and, for that article, ballots will remain open for one hour as the meeting handles that warrant article.
The moderator and board discussed expected hiccups in the first run, noting vendor hotlines and the Secretary of State’s support number will be available for troubleshooting. Imy said the new tabulator removes the need for separate internal ballot compartments because the machine photographs each ballot; that should make adjudicating write-ins and tabulation easier at the end of the night.
Board members divided coverage across the day so a majority is present at the polling place in shifts. The board said it ordered 1,500 ballots of each kind to meet expected demand; historical low-year turnout in town has been around 1,200 voters. Supervisors of the checklist will produce the exact registration and turnout figures after the election.
The board also discussed supplies such as “I voted” stickers and agreed volunteers and staff should be prepared to help voters navigate any documentation requirements under new registration rules. Imy urged patience, calling the first implementation a learning process and asking volunteers to report problems so processes can be refined before larger statewide primaries.
The select board reminded residents that town meeting will be held at Bow High School starting at 6:30 p.m. the following day; doors will open earlier. Imy closed by thanking volunteers and staff for setup and urging attendees to maintain respectful conduct during discussions.
