At its April 15 meeting the Nantucket Select Board heard a detailed presentation from a Wayland consultant on a web-based system to allow remote participation at open Town Meeting, including authentication, vote audits, and a legislative plan for pilot towns.

Elections and recorder staff told the Board of Supervisors that new processes — including 'ballot guard' paper and a county election-night reporting vendor — helped the office complete and canvass the 2026 primary. The board adopted the canvass resolution and agreed to open a mezzanine to media on election night for transparency.

Elections Manager Asa Gray presented the Nov. 3 ballot order, announced expanded ballot-on-demand use and 9,665 absentee requests, and the board approved use of the fairgrounds polling location and payment for year three of the poll‑book support contract with 10x Software Solutions.

The panel unanimously approved Resolution 446 to contract with Enhanced Voting LLC for ballot‑tracking and election‑night reporting through July 12, 2030, using county funds with reimbursement from a state postal grant for 2026 (about $17,000).

The Randolph County Quorum Court read an ordinance to establish vote centers for future elections, referenced county clerk certification requirements, and advanced the measure to third reading by voice vote.

The Village of Grafton secures electronic poll books for expedited voting processes by April.

County finance and elections staff said election reserves and billing timing explain year-end positions; they flagged high potential vendor costs if ranked‑choice voting is implemented and described a shift from temp staffing to full‑time hires.

Counties authorized to conduct commissioner elections using ranked choice voting methods.

A Forward Party'run open vacancy election in Utah used approval voting and Secure Internet Voting (SIV) technology to invite about 70,000 district voters; Emily Buss was declared the winner. Organizers reported about 1,324 ballots cast (roughly 12% turnout), a mailing error that reduced mailed voter codes, and a challenge period with audits under way.

The State Board approved a limited pilot for ES&S regional-results transmission in Macomb County for the Nov. 2025 election after vendor and staff described testing, encryption and a dual-stick process to preserve the official media.

Officials approve funds to enhance vote by mail ballot tracking for increased voter confidence.

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Elections staff and Runbeck presented test results showing BallotGuard security paper produced fewer tabulator multi‑feed and pick errors in staged runs. The board approved use of the paper for 2026 elections at an estimated incremental cost (~$10–$15 per ballot) and directed staff to run pre‑election tests.

Secretary Nancy Landry told lawmakers the Department of State's FY27 recommended budget prioritizes election infrastructure, including a phased replacement of aging voting machines and $4.67 million request for climate‑controlled storage; staff estimated a roughly $100 million program need and outlined a $31.5 million five‑year voter education cost tied to closed primaries.