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Resident warns new state election software could impose per‑election fees under Bill 1264‑FN
Summary
Maryann Lister told the selectboard Feb. 24 that recently issued state election software will charge towns a fee for each election and that, she said, Bill 1264‑FN leaves towns unable to refuse the system; she warned costs could double across multiple elections.
A Stratford resident told the selectboard on Feb. 24 that a state‑issued election software will add per‑election fees that could materially increase the town’s election costs.
Maryann Lister said the state offices have issued a software product that, as explained to her, charges towns a fee for each election rather than an annual license. She said if there are four elections in a year the town would be charged for each election and that the cost could double. Lister also said Bill 1264‑FN was passed and, in her understanding, towns were not given the right to deny use of the software.
Why it matters: per‑election licensing that accumulates across multiple elections could create a new recurring cost for small towns. Lister described the fee structure as “not a yearly fee but a per election fee” and said towns may face multiple charges in a single year.
Details and limitations: the minutes record Lister’s report but do not include supporting documentation, the software vendor’s name, the county or state explanation of the fee structure, or any cost estimates beyond the qualitative description in the remark. The board did not record a formal motion or staff directive in the minutes tied to the comment.
Next steps: the minutes do not record follow‑up action; the concern is on the record and could be brought to a future meeting for staff to investigate the software’s licensing terms or to request clarification from state election offices.
