Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Election Communications topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee seeks mailers and QR codes to boost turnout and awareness for special elections
Summary
A committee member urged adding charter language to require proactive notice and education for special and recall elections (postcards or mailers with QR codes); members discussed piggybacking on tax/water bills and timing requirements for regular vs. special elections.
Committee members agreed on the need for clearer, charter‑backed communication standards for special and recall elections. One member said neighbors "did not know" about a recent special election and urged a mailer with a QR code linking to the town website: "if I got a mail letter even with, like, QR code that went to the town website and explained, you know, what the bond question was, that would have been perfect."
Members discussed options to reduce cost and increase reach, including inserting information into tax or water bills, distributing postcards in September/October for regular elections, and requiring a minimum notice period for special elections (examples mentioned: four weeks for special elections; two months suggested by one member). The chair noted the secretary of state already mails example ballots for statewide contests and suggested the town could build on that practice.
The committee added communications for elections to its priority list, recommended drafting a new subsection under Article II (Elections) to codify notice and education requirements, and asked the solicitor to provide language and cost estimates for the March 25 meeting.
