2026-10-02 - Census, Redistricting, and Elections Committee
Summary
- Hearing: Chair Louijeune convened the committee on Docket 0183, an order for a hearing on voter accessibility and election preparedness, together with Docket 1805, a resolution supporting Question 4 (Election Day voter registration). Councilors Pepén, Breadon, Flynn, Weber and Mejia took part. The hearing looked back at the September primary and ahead to the November general election (Voter Accessibility Election Preparedness Hearing).
- Advocacy panel: Representatives of voting-rights and civil-rights groups described Election Protection work, poll-observer training and a voter hotline, and asked for pre-election site audits, better signage, language access and closer coordination with state and city officials.
- Question 4: Advocates said 23 states and the District of Columbia have Election Day registration, that it reduces provisional-ballot problems, and that the Massachusetts proposal would not take effect until 2028. They urged the council to pass the resolution. Louijeune said it would come to a council vote the following Wednesday (Election Day Voter Registration Resolution (Question 4)).
- Municipal census and inactive voters: Advocates named the annual street listing as a leading cause of inactive voter status, since one unreturned household form can mark every voter there inactive. Decoupling bills (House 799 and Senate 503) were noted (Municipal Census Voter Inactivation).
- Polling-place accessibility: Testimony on primary-day problems cited faded accessible-parking signs, locked or hard-to-find entrances and confusing signage, with recommendations for directional signs and regular polling-place audits (Polling Place Accessibility).
- Federal monitors: Speakers said Justice Department monitors were at primary polling places, and urged the city to train poll workers on voters' rights and on what to do if federal agents appear at a polling place (Federal Poll Monitoring Preparedness).
- Administration report: The Elections Department reported 79,474 primary voters, 275 precincts and nearly 800 hotline calls answered with waits under 16 seconds. Early voting starts October 17, with mail voting and city dropboxes also available. Officials said ballot cards are packed at 100% of registered voters for every precinct, and that the longer general-election ballot will slow in-person voting. In answer to questions, they said the department remains under the Secretary of the Commonwealth's February 2025 order, with a state designee still in place.
- Poll workers and budget: Recruitment and training are ongoing, including a student program. Councilors asked about training pay and noted the next city budget must fund elections through the 2028 presidential primary (Poll Worker Recruitment Training).
- Public comment and next steps: Speakers supported same-day registration; one also urged reviving a ranked-choice voting home-rule petition. Docket 1805 goes to the full council the following Wednesday and Docket 0183 stays in committee.
Sources
Video
Transcript
These are manually created captions; names and numbers may be mistranscribed.
Transcript
00:48MORNING EVERYONE.
00:50HAPPY FRIDAY.
00:51FOR THE RECORD MY NAME IS RUTI
00:52LOUIJEUNE AT LARGE CITY
00:54COUNCILOR AND I AM THE CHAIR
00:55OF THE BOSTON CITY
00:56COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON CENSUS
00:57REDISTRICTING AND ELECTIONS.
00:58TODAY IS OCTOBER 2ND, 2026 AND
01:01THE EXACT TIME IS 10:07 A.M..
01:04THIS HEARING IS BEING RECORDED.
01:06IT IS ALSO BEING LIVE
01:08FORWARD SLASH CITY COUNCIL DASH
01:11TV AND BROADCAST ON IT'S
01:13CHANNEL EIGHT RCN CHANNEL 82
01:16FIOS CHANNEL 964.
01:18OUR WRITTEN COMMENTS MAY BE
01:19SENT TO THE COMMITTEE EMAIL AT
01:21SEEK [email protected].
01:23AND WE MADE A PART OF THE
01:25RECORD AND AVAILABLE TO ALL
01:26COUNCILORS PUBLIC TESTIMONY
01:28WILL TAKE WILL BE TAKEN AT THE
01:29END OF THIS HEARING.
01:31INDIVIDUALS WILL BE CALLED ON
01:32IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY
01:34SIGNED UP AND WILL HAVE TWO
01:35MINUTES TO TESTIFY.
01:36IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN
01:38TESTIFYING IN PERSON, PLEASE
01:39ADD YOUR NAME TO THE SIGN UP
01:41SHEET NEAR THE ENTRANCE OF THE
01:42CHAMBER.
01:42IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO TESTIFY
01:43VIRTUALLY, PLEASE EMAIL OUR
01:45CENTRAL STAFF LIAISON SHANE
01:47PACK AT SHANE DOT PACK AT
01:49BOSTON DOT GOD FOR THE LINK AND
01:51ADD YOUR NAME AND YOUR NAME
01:52WILL BE ADDED TO THE LIST.
01:53TODAY'S HEARING IS ON DOCKET
01:54NUMBER 0183.
01:56ORDER FOR A HEARING REGARDING
01:57VOTER ACCESSIBILITY AND
01:58ELECTION PREPAREDNESS.
01:59THIS MATTER IS SPONSORED BY
02:00MYSELF AND COUNCILOR ENRIQUE
02:02JAPAN AND IS REFERRED TO THE
02:04COMMITTEE ON JANUARY 28TH, 2026
02:06THIS ALSO INCLUDES DOCKET
02:08NUMBER 1805 RESOLUTION IN
02:11SUPPORT OF QUESTION FOUR TO US
02:13TO ESTABLISH ELECTION DAY VOTER
02:14REGISTRATION IN MASSACHUSETTS.
02:16THIS MATTER IS SPONSORED BY
02:17MYSELF AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT
02:18LIZ BREADON AND IT WAS REFERRED
02:20TO THE COMMITTEE ON SEPTEMBER
02:2122ND, 2023 2026.
02:23TODAY I'M JOINED BY MY
02:25COLLEAGUES IN ORDER OF ARRIVAL
02:26COUNCILOR FLYNN.
02:27I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR
02:28BEING HERE.
02:29UM THIS THERE IS UH UH TOPIC
02:33THAT IS SINCERELY IMPORTANT TO
02:35UPHOLDING OUR DEMOCRACY AND
02:36THAT'S MAKING SURE THAT VOTING
02:38IS ACCESSIBLE AND THAT WE'RE
02:40PREPARED AS A CITY WHEN
02:41ELECTION TIME COMES AROUND AND
02:42THAT WE'RE MAKING SURE WE'RE
02:43DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO DRAW
02:44MORE PEOPLE INTO OUR DEMOCRATIC
02:46PROCESS.
02:48AS SOMEONE WHO GREW UP IN THE
02:49CITY GOING TO THE POLLS WITH MY
02:51DAD LATER MYSELF BECOMING A
02:52LAWYER WHO WORKED ON ELECTIONS
02:54,IT IS DEEPLY IMPORTANT TO
02:56ME TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE UH,
02:57MAKING SURE THAT RESIDENTS
02:58AROUND THE CITY CAN ACCESS
03:01VOTING.
03:01VOTING ISN'T GOING TO SOLVE ALL
03:02OF OUR PROBLEMS BUT IT IS GOING
03:04IT IS DEFINITELY A PART OF THE
03:05SOLUTION.
03:05SO I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU
03:06FOR BEING HERE FOR THE ADVOCACY
03:08THAT YOU DO.
03:09I IN ADDITION TO TALKING ABOUT
03:10GENERAL ELECTION PREPAREDNESS
03:11AND WHAT THE CITY OF BOSTON CAN
03:12BE DOING BETTER TO PREPARE FOR
03:14ELECTIONS OR DRAW PEOPLE OUT
03:15FOR ELECTIONS UH, DO THE
03:17EVERYDAY WORK OF DEMOCRACY.
03:19I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
03:22WE ARE TALKING ABOUT QUESTION
03:24FOUR WHICH IS UH, ELECTION DAY
03:26VOTER REGISTRATION WHICH MANY
03:27OF YOU ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN
03:29FIGHTING FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
03:31WE ARE BEHIND WHEN IT COMES TO
03:32STATES WHO HAVE, UH SAME-DAY
03:34VOTER REGISTRATION.
03:35WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE
03:36DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE
03:37DEMOCRACY MORE ACCESSIBLE TO
03:38THOSE WHO ARE TRANSIENT.
03:40WE KNOW THAT VOTERS OF COLOR,
03:41UH, VOTER OF COLOR
03:43PARTICIPATION INCREASES WHEN WE
03:44HAVE ELECTION DAY VOTER
03:46REGISTRATION.
03:46AND SO I'M EXCITED FOR THIS
03:48CONVERSATION.
03:49I'M EXCITED FOR YOU TO FOR
03:50OTHERS FOR ADVOCACY.
03:51I'M EXCITED TO HEAR FROM THE
03:53ADMINISTRATION AND I WANT TO
03:54THANK OUR OWN ALUM OF THE CITY
03:57COUNCIL CHAMBER, KERRY JORDAN.
03:58FOR HIS NEW ROLE.
04:00LEADING THE WORK OF THE
04:01ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT.
04:02SO I'M EXCITED TO HEAR FROM THE
04:04ADMINISTRATION AND THE REASON
04:05WHY, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO HAVE
04:07AN ADVOCATE PANEL GO FIRST
04:07BECAUSE I DO THINK THAT THERE
04:09CAN SOMETIMES BE MORE OF A
04:10FEEDBACK LOOP BETWEEN HEARING
04:11FROM WHAT THE ADVOCATES SAY.
04:13WHAT WE CAN BE DOING BETTER AND
04:14HAVING THE ADMINISTRATION.
04:15SORT OF RESPOND TO THAT.
04:16AND BRING YOU INTO THE
04:17CONVERSATION THAT WAY.
04:18SO I.
04:19>> REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR
04:20LEADERSHIP, SABINO.
04:21REALLY APPRECIATE UH YOUR.
04:23LEADERSHIP AS WELL.
04:23COMMISSIONER, I KNOW THAT
04:24YOU'VE BEEN DOING YEOMAN'S WORK
04:25TRYING TO UM.
04:29UH TO BOTH.
04:31CONTINUE DOING CITY.
04:32RECORDS AND ALSO.
04:33UH, YOUR HANDS HERE.
04:34UH, SO REALLY APPRECIATE THE
04:35WORK THAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING.
04:37SEE?
04:37UH, ITALIA.
04:38RIGHT.
04:39ITALIA HERE.
04:39SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.
04:41UH, LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS
04:42CONVERSATION.
04:43I AM GOING TO PASS IT OFF TO MY
04:44COLLEAGUE.
04:45IF HE HAS ANY OPENING REMARKS.
04:47THANK YOU.
04:47>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
04:50I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE
04:52ADMINISTRATION TEAM FOR BEING
04:53HERE.
04:53I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE
04:55PANELISTS FOR THE IMPORTANT
04:56WORK YOU ARE DOING AS WELL.
04:58UM, I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO
05:00WORK WITH SHERYL, UH, FOR FOR
05:02MANY YEARS AND RESPECT THE WORK
05:04YOU AND YOUR TEAM AND
05:05VOLUNTEERS ARE DOING.
05:07I WAS AT AN EVENT LAST NIGHT
05:09THE JEREMIAH PROGRAM IN THE
05:12SOUTH END AND WE WE WENT
05:15THROUGH EVERY UM BALLOT
05:18INITIATIVE AND MY GUESTS UH,
05:20RUSSELL HOLMES AND MYSELF WE
05:22TALKED ABOUT THEM I THINK FOR
05:23ALMOST TWO HOURS UM, TO A TO A
05:27GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT MOSTLY
05:28SINGLE MOTHERS AND ASKING THEY
05:31WERE ASKING QUESTIONS AND I
05:33THINK RUSSELL DID AN
05:34EXCEPTIONAL JOB EXPLAINING EACH
05:36OF THEM IN DETAIL.
05:38UM I SUPPORT MY SUPPORT
05:40QUESTION FOR BUT I ALSO KNOW
05:43THAT THE CITY OF BOSTON
05:46ELECTION DEPARTMENT IS
05:47CURRENTLY UNDER STATE
05:48RECEIVERSHIP.
05:49DURING THE MOST IMPORTANT
05:50PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2024.
05:55WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH BALLOTS
05:57TO REACH MANY POLLING LOCATIONS
05:59IN THE CITY OF BOSTON.
06:01UH, WE'RE STILL UNDER THE
06:02RECEIVERSHIP BASICALLY OF THE
06:04SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.
06:06UM.
06:09I'M GOING TO STOP THERE.
06:10I'M GOING TO LISTEN TO THE
06:11ADVOCATES.
06:12I DO APOLOGIZE I'M GOING TO A
06:15UM THE VA.
06:16UM, IT'S RELATED TO A CHILDCARE
06:19RELATED ISSUE IN THIS IN
06:20JAMAICA PLAIN.
06:22UM, BUT I AM GOING TO BE
06:23LEAVING EARLY BUT I WILL BE
06:25WATCHING THE VIDEO UM, LATER ON
06:27THIS WEEK.
06:27THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
06:28THANK YOU COUNCILOR AND I TOO
06:29WAS AT THE EVENT LAST NIGHT AT
06:31JEREMIAH PROGRAM.
06:31I WANT TO THANK ALISON AND ALL
06:33THE INCREDIBLE BLACK WOMEN WHO
06:34DO INCREDIBLE WORK TO MAKE SURE
06:35THAT CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IS
06:36CENTERED HERE IN OUR CITY.
06:37SO I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO
06:39THIS INCREDIBLE PANEL.
06:39WE'LL KICK IT OFF WITH FIVE
06:41MINUTES OF TESTIMONY FROM EACH
06:43OF YOU.
06:43WE HAVE TRACY FROM THE ACLU
06:45HERE AND THEN WE HAVE A VIDEO
06:47FROM RAHSAAN.
06:48OVER AT THE URBAN LEAGUE.
06:49SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.
06:50WE'LL KICK IT OFF.
06:51UM, IN ORDER THAT WE BEFORE US
06:53AND WE WILL START WITH, UH, YOU
06:56BROOKE, WE HAVE BROOKE SAMOAN
06:57HERE, A STAFF ATTORNEY, LAWYERS
06:59FOR CIVIL RIGHTS.
07:00UH, WE HAVE CELIA CANAVAN HERE,
07:02EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LEAGUE
07:03OF WOMEN VOTERS
07:04OF MASSACHUSETTS.
07:05CHERYL CLYBURN CRAWFORD
07:07EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT MASS VOTE
07:09TRACI GRIFFITH, UH, DIRECTOR
07:11OF THE RACIAL JUSTICE PROGRAM
07:12AT THE.
07:12ACLU OF MASSACHUSETTS AND
07:14RAHSAAN HALL, UH, HERE VIA.
07:17UH PRE.
07:18MADE VIDEO FROM.
07:20>> THE URBAN LEAGUE
07:20OF MASSACHUSETTS.
07:21SO WE'RE GOING TO START WITH
07:22YOU, CELIA.
07:23UH, WITH YOU BROOKE, YOU HAVE
07:25THE FLOOR AND FIVE MINUTES WILL
07:27HAVE ABOUT HOW LONG YOU NEED TO
07:28FOR AN OPENING.
07:28THANK YOU.
07:30GOOD MORNING.
07:32UM, AND THANK YOU,
07:33COUNCILOR LOUIJEUNE.
07:34UH, COUNCILOR PEPEN,
07:35COUNCILOR PRESIDENT BREADON FOR
07:37CALLING ATTENTION TO THESE
07:38ISSUES AND FOR INVITING ME TO
07:39BE HERE TODAY.
07:41UM, I ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK
07:42YOU TO COUNCILOR FLYNN FOR FOR
07:44BEING HERE.
07:46UM UH UM UH, MY NAME IS BROOKE.
07:49SEAMAN AND I'M GOING TO TALK
07:50ABOUT LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
07:53ALL OF US HERE IN THIS.
07:54ROOM SHARE A GOAL WHICH IS TO
07:57ENSURE THAT EVERY ELIGIBLE
07:58VOTER WHO WANTS TO CAST A
07:59BALLOT CAN DO SO AND THEY CAN
08:01DO SO WITHOUT FEAR AND WITHOUT
08:03INTIMIDATION AND OBSTACLES.
08:05SO I'M GOING TO TALK A LITTLE
08:06BIT.
08:07ABOUT WHAT IS NEEDED TO MAKE
08:08THAT HAPPEN.
08:10A CRITICAL PIECE OF THAT IS THE
08:12ELECTION PROTECTION.
08:12PROGRAM WHICH IS A NATIONAL
08:15NONPARTISAN.
08:16UM A NATIONAL NONPARTISAN.
08:17AND VOLUNTEER POLL OBSERVER
08:20PROGRAM.
08:20AT LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS.
08:22WE ARE PROUD TO BE PART OF THE
08:23COALITION THAT RUNS THIS
08:24PROGRAM IN MASSACHUSETTS ALONG
08:26WITH OTHER PARTNERS HERE AND
08:28THOSE ON THE RECORDINGS AS
08:30WELL.
08:32DURING THE PRIMARY.
08:33WE SAW SOME CONFUSION AMONG
08:35POLL WORKERS ABOUT WHAT THESE
08:37VOLUNTEERS ARE ALLOWED TO DO.
08:39SO I JUST WANT TO TAKE SOME
08:40TIME TO CLARIFY.
08:42THEY ARE TRAINED AND AUTHORIZED
08:44TO OBSERVE.
08:45INSIDE POLLING LOCATIONS
08:46WHETHER THAT'S TO FREQUENTLY
08:47CHECK IN.
08:48TO OBSERVE PARTICULAR.
08:50UH, PARTICULAR IRREGULARITIES
08:52THAT ARISE.
08:52AND BECAUSE THEY ARE ENTIRELY.
08:55NONPARTISAN, THEY ARE.
08:56AUTHORIZED TO ENGAGE.
08:57WITH VOTERS OUTSIDE.
08:58>> OF THE POLLING.
08:59LOCATIONS BUT WITHIN THE 150
09:01FOOT ELECTIONEERING ZONE.
09:04,OUR VOLUNTEERS.
09:05>> ARE PRESENT TO ANSWER
09:06QUESTIONS FROM VOTERS LIKE IS
09:08AN ID REQUIRED?
09:09WHAT IF THEY TELL ME I NEED.
09:10>> AN ID?
09:11CAN A FRIEND HELP.
09:12>> ME VOTE?
09:13THE VOLUNTEERS ALSO ESCALATE
09:15PROBLEMS THAT NEED.
09:16TROUBLESHOOTING OR LEGAL
09:17SUPPORT, AND PART OF.
09:18>> THIS IS STEERING VOTERS.
09:20TO THE COURT.
09:20>> TO CALL THE.
09:21EIGHT SIX SIX.
09:23>> HOUR VOTE HOTLINE WHERE.
09:25UH, A GROUP.
09:27>> OF LAWYERS.
09:27ARE ALSO STANDING BY TO PROVIDE
09:30SUPPORT.
09:31NOW THIS HOTLINE UM.
09:33>> IS ALWAYS OPEN.
09:34IT WILL BE.
09:34OPEN DURING.
09:35>> UH, EARLY VOTING AND ON
09:36ELECTION DAY.
09:38WE WILL HAVE POLL OBSERVERS
09:39THROUGHOUT BOSTON'S.
09:40PRECINCTS ON ELECTION DAY AS
09:42WELL.
09:42AND OUR TEAM AT LAWYERS FOR.
09:44CIVIL RIGHTS WILL BE READY TO
09:45RESPOND.
09:45>> TO WHATEVER CHALLENGES
09:47ARISE.
09:49NOW EVERY ELECTION WE EXPECT.
09:51>> TO SEE CERTAIN.
09:52LOGISTICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
09:53ISSUES.
09:53A LOT OF THESE AROSE.
09:56UM UH, DURING THE PRIMARY.
09:57>> WE SAW SOME OF THESE
09:58STANDARD PROBLEMS.
09:59>> LIKE THE REGISTRATION.
10:00DEADLINE KEEPING ELIGIBLE
10:01PEOPLE FROM VOTING AND THAT'S
10:02WHY WE SUPPORT QUESTION FOUR ON
10:05ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION.
10:06THERE WERE ALSO A LARGE NUMBER
10:08OF VOTERS WHO.
10:09>> WERE LISTED AS INACTIVE
10:10SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T
10:11RETURN THE CENSUS FORM.
10:13THERE ARE ALSO UNFORTUNATELY.
10:15ALWAYS ISSUES UM AROUND
10:17ACCESSIBILITY OF POLLING PLACES
10:19AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE
10:20ELECTION PROTECTION PROGRAM CAN
10:22STEP IN TO ASSIST WITH UM AS
10:24WELL.
10:26IN THE PAST UM AS
10:28COUNCILOR FLYNN MENTIONED,
10:30BOSTON VOTERS HAVE FACED LONG
10:31LINES AND BALLOT SHORTAGES.
10:33PARTICULARLY IN COMMUNITIES
10:34OF COLOR AND LOW INCOME
10:36COMMUNITIES.
10:37WE ARE VERY ENCOURAGED BY THE.
10:39NEW LEADERSHIP IN BOSTON'S
10:41ELECTION DEPARTMENT, AND WE
10:42KNOW THAT.
10:43>> THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
10:44JORDAN.
10:44SHARES OUR HOPE THAT THESE
10:46ISSUES DON'T HAPPEN AGAIN.
10:47SO WE WANT TO SAY WELCOME.
10:49AND WE ARE HAPPY TO BE.
10:50IN OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH THE
10:52NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM.
10:55NOW ALONG WITH SOME OF THESE
10:56MORE TYPICAL CONCERNS, THESE
10:58ADMINISTRATIVE.
10:59OR SORT OF.
11:00LOGISTICAL CONCERNS.
11:01THIS ELECTION THERE IS A REAL.
11:03CONCERN ABOUT FEDERAL OFFICERS
11:05BEING SENT TO POLLING PLACES.
11:07SO TO BE DIRECT THAT.
11:09WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.
11:12FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENTS
11:13WHETHER.
11:14ICE.
11:15>> DOJ OR THE FBI CANNOT
11:17INTERFERE WITH THE RIGHT TO
11:18VOTE.
11:19THEY CANNOT INTIMIDATE.
11:21>> OR THREATEN.
11:21VOTERS WHICH CAN.
11:22OCCUR DUE TO SIMPLY THEIR
11:24PRESENCE ALONE AND.
11:26EVEN MORE POINTEDLY, ARMED
11:28FEDERAL.
11:28OFFICIALS CANNOT BE AT A
11:30POLLING PLACE.
11:31SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS IF ICE.
11:33OFFICERS ARE.
11:34STATIONED NEAR A.
11:36SCHOOL OR COMMUNITY CENTER THAT
11:38IS USED AS A POLLING PLACE THAT
11:40IS ILLEGAL.
11:42THEIR PRESENCE OF COURSE WOULD.
11:44WOULD PRESENT DANGERS
11:45OF AGGRESSIVE.
11:46TACTICS OF DETENTION
11:48OF DEPORTATION.
11:49BUT THE THREAT REALLY.
11:50EXTENDS MUCH FURTHER THAN THAT.
11:54SO MANY BOSTONIANS ARE LIVING
11:56IN CONSTANT FEAR OF.
11:57IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, AND
11:59THAT INCLUDES.
12:00PEOPLE WHO ARE.
12:01CITIZENS AND ELIGIBLE TO VOTE.
12:03SO I'M TALKING.
12:04>> ABOUT FOREIGN BORN.
12:05NATURALIZED CITIZENS, PEOPLE IN
12:07MIXED STATUS HOUSEHOLDS AND
12:08PEOPLE OF COLOR.
12:10>> FOR A LOT OF THOSE ELIGIBLE
12:12VOTERS, IF THEY HEAR THAT ICE.
12:14MAY BE NEAR THEIR POLLING.
12:16PLACE, SOME OF THEM WILL SIMPLY
12:18STAY HOME AND THAT MEANS THAT
12:20THEY ARE LOSING THEIR RIGHT TO
12:21VOTE AND THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.
12:26SO AT LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
12:27WE ARE.
12:28RESPONDING ON TWO.
12:29FRONTS WE ARE EDUCATING.
12:31>> THE COMMUNITIES MOST
12:32VULNERABLE TO.
12:32ICE ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS.
12:34>> AND WHAT TO DO IF A FEDERAL.
12:35OFFICER IS NEAR A POLLING.
12:36PLACE AND WE ARE ALSO READY TO.
12:39GO TO COURT THE MOMENT.
12:40THAT UNLAWFUL GOVERNMENT
12:41ACTIVITY THREATENS THE
12:43COMMUNITIES WE WORK WITH.
12:46>> SO WE ARE READY.
12:47>> TO STEP IN AND.
12:48OUR PARTNERS HERE ARE CERTAINLY
12:50READY AS WELL.
12:51BUT IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT
12:53THE CITY.
12:53>> OF BOSTON BE READY TO AND SO
12:55I.
12:56>> WOULD URGE THE CITY.
12:57>> TO DO FOUR THINGS.
12:59FIRST, PROMOTE EARLY.
13:00VOTING AND MAIL VOTING SO THAT
13:02NO VOTER HAS TO DEPEND ON ONE
13:05DAY AND ONE LOCATION.
13:07SECOND, TRAIN.
13:09WARDENS, INSPECTORS.
13:11>> AND OTHER POLL WORKERS ON
13:12THE LAWS THAT APPLY.
13:13>> AND ON WHAT TO DO IF FEDERAL
13:14AGENTS SHOW UP TO A POLLING
13:16PLACE.
13:18THIRD, COORDINATE AND
13:19COMMUNICATE BEFOREHAND.
13:21WITH STATE OFFICIALS AND GROUPS
13:23LIKE LAWYERS FOR CIVIL.
13:24RIGHTS AND OTHER FOLKS ON THIS
13:25PANEL.
13:26AND FOURTH, COMMUNICATE
13:29ACCURATELY WITH.
13:29BOSTON VOTERS.
13:31THEY NEED TO KNOW THEIR RIGHTS
13:32AT THE.
13:33POLLS AND WHAT MIGHT STAND IN
13:34THEIR WAY.
13:35BUT JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, THEY.
13:37NEED TO KNOW THAT THEIR.
13:38CITY, THEIR HOME.
13:40AND LEGAL AND.
13:41ADVOCACY GROUPS.
13:42STAND WITH THEM AND ARE.
13:44>> READY TO PROTECT THEIR.
13:45>> RIGHT TO VOTE.
13:46SO I'M EXCITED AND HOPEFUL TO.
13:48>> WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT
13:49NO ONE IS.
13:50PREVENTED FROM EXERCISING THAT
13:51RIGHT.
13:51THANK YOU AGAIN.
13:52FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE
13:54AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY
13:56QUESTIONS.
13:57THANK YOU SO MUCH CELIA.
13:59AND WE'VE ALSO BEEN JOINED BY
14:01COUNCIL PRESIDENT LIZ BRATTON.
14:02UH, SO YOU.
14:07THIS IS WORKING.
14:07YEAH.
14:08OKAY.
14:08GOOD, GOOD.
14:09SO, UH, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
14:11UH, MADAM CHAIR,
14:12COUNCILOR PRESIDENT BRITA.
14:13AND COUNCILOR.
14:14FLYNN AND THE REST OF THE CITY
14:16COUNCIL FOR.
14:17>> THE INVITATION AND FOR YOUR
14:18CONTINUED SUPPORT OF ELECTIONS
14:20AND VOTING.
14:22MY NAME IS CELIA CANAVAN.
14:23I AM PROUD TO SERVE AS THE
14:25EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE
14:26LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
14:27OF MASSACHUSETTS.
14:28WE SERVE 155 COMMUNITIES ACROSS
14:31THE COMMONWEALTH AND ARE
14:32PROUDLY REPRESENTED HERE WITH
14:33THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
14:34OF BOSTON UH, IN 44 LOCAL
14:37LEAGUES WITH OVER 3000 MEMBERS.
14:39UM, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK
14:41AND WELCOME THE NEW ELECTION
14:42ADMINISTRATION LEADERSHIP.
14:43I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING TO
14:44WORK WITH YOU AND CONNECTING
14:46WITH OUR LOCAL LEAGUE HERE AS
14:47WELL TO CONTINUE TO PROTECT AND
14:49SERVE THE VOTERS IN BOSTON.
14:51UM, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
14:52,UM IS ON IS FOUNDED ON TWO
14:55FOUNDING PRINCIPLES EXCUSE ME,
14:57UM, EMPOWERING VOTERS AND
14:58DEFENDING DEMOCRACY.
14:59AND WE DO THIS THROUGH A
15:01WRAPAROUND APPROACH BOTH
15:01THROUGH VOTER SERVICES, VOTER
15:04REGISTRATION AND VOTER
15:05EDUCATION AS WELL AS ADVOCACY
15:07ON ISSUES SUCH AS QUESTION FOUR
15:09AND ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION A
15:11FIGHT THAT WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE
15:13BEEN A PART OF WITH OUR
15:14PARTNERS FOR YEARS.
15:15YEARS UPON YEARS UM ON BEACON
15:17HILL ARE NOW HAPPY TO BRING IT.
15:18>> TO THE.
15:18BALLOT BOX.
15:19UM THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
15:21OF MASSACHUSETTS HAS BEEN
15:22WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK THIS
15:23ELECTION CYCLE.
15:24GIVEN THE CONTINUED FEDERAL
15:26THREATS TO OUR ELECTIONS TO
15:27MAKE SURE THAT VOTERS ACROSS
15:28THE COMMONWEALTH HAVE THE
15:30SERVICES AND TRUST THAT THEY
15:31NEED TO MAKE AN INFORMED
15:33DECISION AT THE BALLOT BOX.
15:34UM, I'LL START MY REMARKS TODAY
15:36WITH SOME OF OUR VOTER
15:37EDUCATION WORK AND THEN I'LL BE
15:39HAPPY TO GO INTO OUR WORK ON
15:41YES ON FOR ELECTION DAY
15:42REGISTRATION ON WHICH WE ARE
15:44PROUD TO SERVE ON THE BALLOT
15:45QUESTION COMMITTEE ALONGSIDE UH
15:47,CHERYL AND MANY OF OUR OTHER
15:48GREAT PARTNERS.
15:50UM, SO AT THE START OF THIS
15:51YEAR WE WERE HUMBLED AND PROUD
15:53TO SERVE AS ONE OF THE
15:55PLAINTIFFS THE LEAD PLAINTIFF
15:56TO BE EXACT IN THE LEAGUE
15:58OF WOMEN VOTERS
15:59OF MASSACHUSETTS VERSUS TRUMP,
16:00WHICH IS A HALLMARK CASE TO
16:02PROTECT MAIL-IN VOTING NOT ONLY
16:04IN MASSACHUSETTS BUT ACROSS THE
16:06NATION.
16:07WE ARE PROUD THAT THROUGH THIS
16:08WORK WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO
16:10CONTINUE TO UPHOLD AN
16:11INJUNCTION THAT HAS ALLOWED FOR
16:12MAIL IN BALLOTS TO CONTINUE TO
16:14BE DELIVERED TO VOTERS AGAIN
16:15NOT ONLY IN THE COMMONWEALTH
16:17BUT ACROSS THE NATION AND STOPS
16:19FROM STOPS PERSONAL VOTER DATA
16:21FROM BEING SHARED AMONG UM
16:23STATES TO THE FEDERAL
16:24GOVERNMENT.
16:25THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE
16:26NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO ALONE.
16:27AND I WOULD LIKE TO ESPECIALLY
16:28SHOUT OUT, UH, TRACY AND THE
16:30ACLU FOR THEIR CONTINUED
16:31PARTNERSHIP WITH US ON THIS
16:33WORK.
16:33UM, BUT WE KNOW THAT THIS DOES
16:35NOT STOP THERE.
16:36SO WE HAVE CONTINUED THIS WORK
16:37THROUGH CONTINUING TO ALLOW
16:39VOTERS TO KNOW THAT MAIL IN
16:40VOTING HAS ALWAYS BEEN A SAFE
16:42AND SECURE METHOD OF VOTING AND
16:44SOMETHING THEY CAN CONTINUE TO
16:45TRUST AND USE HERE IN
16:47MASSACHUSETTS SOMETHING THAT WE
16:49ARE PROUD TO HAVE CONTINUE TO
16:50HAVE FOUGHT FOR NOT ONLY IN
16:522026 BUT ALL THE WAY BACK TO
16:542022 WHEN WE WERE ABLE TO GET
16:55NO EXCUSE MAIL IN VOTING.
16:57WE CONTINUE THIS WORK HERE IN
17:00MASSACHUSETTS THROUGH
17:01PARTNERSHIPS.
17:02WE ARE INCREDIBLY PROUD TO HAVE
17:04OVER 100 NONPROFIT PARTNERS
17:05THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND HERE
17:07IN BOSTON.
17:08WE HAVE CONTINUED TO EXPAND
17:09THAT WORK THIS YEAR OUR TEAM
17:11UM, WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO
17:13ADD WAS LED BY TWO INCREDIBLE
17:15STUDENTS HERE IN BOSTON.
17:17UM, WE'RE ABLE TO COLLABORATE
17:18WITH EVERY NONPARTISAN CAMPUS
17:22UM ORGANIZATION IN BOSTON
17:23COLLEGES TO PROVIDE WRAPAROUND
17:26VOTER EDUCATION TOOLKITS AND
17:27SERVICES SO THEY CAN INFORM
17:29OTHER STUDENTS TO HAVE A MORE
17:31INFORMED ELECTORATE COMING INTO
17:33BOSTON THIS YEAR.
17:35THIS HAS INCLUDED OUR ONLINE
17:36VOTE 411.ORG ONLINE VOTER GUIDE
17:40THIS IS A NONPARTISAN GUIDE
17:41THAT COMBINES NOT ONLY
17:43INFORMATION ABOUT CANDIDATES
17:44AND BALLOT QUESTIONS WITH
17:47INFORMATION REGARDING VOTER
17:48REGISTRATION, LOCAL ORDINANCES
17:50AND ANYTHING RELEVANT TO UH
17:52VOTER REGISTRATION, VOTER
17:54ENGAGEMENT AND CASTING YOUR
17:55BALLOT.
17:56EACH ELECTION.
17:57CYCLE IN 2024 VOTE FOR ONE GOT
18:02$192,000 I WISH I WAS AND
18:04VISITS UM FROM VOTERS ACROSS
18:06THE COMMONWEALTH AND WE EXPECT
18:07SIMILAR NUMBERS THIS YEAR GIVEN
18:09THE HEIGHTENED ANXIETY AND
18:11CONTINUED INTEREST IN THIS
18:12MIDTERM ELECTION.
18:14WE'VE ALSO PARTNERED WITH
18:15BOSTON BUSINESSES UM AND BOSTON
18:18UM COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO
18:19PROVIDE A VOTE 411 RESOURCES
18:21AND ACTION GUIDE.
18:23SO THAT WAY VOTERS ARE ABLE TO
18:24GET THIS INFORMATION EASILY
18:26ACCESSIBLY IN PLACES THEY
18:27ALREADY OCCUPY.
18:28THIS HAS INCLUDED PLACES SUCH
18:30AS THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY,
18:31PORTER SQUARE BOOKS AND OTHER
18:33PLACES WHERE PEOPLE ARE ALREADY
18:35ATTENDING AND SIMPLY JUST NEED
18:36ACCESS TO THIS CRITICAL
18:38INFORMATION.
18:39WE'VE ALSO CONTINUE TO RUN OUR
18:41TRADITIONAL PROGRAMING SUCH AS
18:43CANDIDATE FORUMS.
18:44WE'RE PROUD TO HAVE SERVED
18:46BOSTON AS THE ONLY ORGANIZATION
18:49TO GET BOTH.
18:50UM CONGRESSMAN STEPHEN LYNCH
18:51AND THEN CANDIDATE PATRICK ROSE
18:54TO A CANDIDATES FORUM UM IT
18:56TOGETHER AND PRESENT THAT.
18:58UM IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL
18:59LEAGUES WITHIN CONGRESSIONAL
19:00DISTRICT EIGHT AND BOSTON TO
19:02MAKE SURE VOTERS WERE ABLE TO
19:04MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION ON
19:05ELECTION DAY.
19:06WE CONTINUE TO RUN THESE
19:07PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE
19:09AND ARE PROUD TO ALSO BE
19:10WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP UM ON
19:12THE ELECTION PROTECTION TASK
19:13FORCE AND AS WELL WITH A POLL
19:15WORKER RECRUITMENT PROGRAM
19:17REGARDLESS OF THE UH
19:19MUNICIPALITY WE'RE IN, WE
19:20ENCOURAGE ALL OF OUR MEMBERS TO
19:21CHOOSE ONE OF THOSE TWO OPTIONS
19:23BE A NONPARTISAN POLL OBSERVER
19:25OR JOIN YOUR ELECTION
19:27ADMINISTRATORS AS A POLL WORKER
19:28AND WE ARE PROUD TO CONTINUE TO
19:30PUSH PEOPLE.
19:30>> IN.
19:31THAT DIRECTION.
19:32WE ALSO HAVE ON OUR WEBSITE,
19:34UM, WHICH WE CONTINUE TO PUSH
19:36TO UH MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC
19:38ALIKE OUR ELECTION 2026
19:40RESOURCES WHICH INCLUDE DIRECT
19:42VOTER REGISTRATION, BALLOT
19:44TRACKING, AN ACCESSIBLE COPY
19:46OF THE RED.
19:47BOOK UM AND THEN UPLIFTING SOME
19:50OF OUR PARTNERS INFORMATION
19:51SUCH AS THE ACLU KNOW YOUR
19:53VOTING RIGHTS GUIDE TO MAKE
19:54SURE THAT WE GET AS MUCH
19:56VISIBILITY AS POSSIBLE TO THE
19:57GREAT WORK GOING ON IN
19:58COMMUNITY.
20:00WE ARE SO PROUD OF THIS
20:02ELECTION AND VOTER SERVICES
20:03WORK THAT WE DO, BUT WE KNOW
20:05THAT THIS IS ONLY ONE PART
20:06OF OUR CONTINUED ADVOCACY WHICH
20:08IS WHY THE VOTE YES ON FOR
20:10ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION
20:11COMMITTEE HAS BEEN SUCH PROUD
20:12WORK OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN
20:14VOTERS OF MASSACHUSETTS.
20:16ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION IS A
20:18COMMON SENSE WITH VOTING RIGHTS
20:20REFORM.
20:20IT IS SOMETHING THAT
20:21MASSACHUSETTS IS LONG OVERDUE
20:23TO JOIN 23 STATES AND THE
20:24DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA IN
20:26ENACTING.
20:26IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT
20:28THIS TEN DAY DEADLINE THAT WE
20:29HAVE IS ARBITRARY AND THAT WE
20:32KNOW THAT FROM SURVEYS IN
20:33MASSACHUSETTS AND REAL LIFE
20:34EXPERIENCES IN OTHER STATES.
20:36>> THAT THESE.
20:36DEADLINES SUPPRESS THE RIGHT TO
20:38VOTE.
20:38PEOPLE ARE OFTEN SO BUSY WITH
20:40THEIR DAY TO DAY
20:41RESPONSIBILITIES THAT THEY
20:42DON'T CLUE INTO IMPORTANT
20:43ISSUES ON THE BALLOT UNTIL THE
20:44WEEK BEFORE AN ELECTION WHEN
20:45THEY ARE RECEIVING MAILERS, ADS
20:48,PEOPLE KNOCKING ON THEIR
20:49DOORSTEP AND BY THEN IT IS
20:50ALREADY TOO LATE TO REGISTER IN
20:52MASSACHUSETTS.
20:53IMPORTANTLY, QUESTION FOUR DOES
20:54NOT STAND TO JUST BENEFIT NEW
20:56VOTERS.
20:56IT ALSO ALLOWS US TO WELCOME IN
20:58VOTERS WHO MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED
20:59SOME FORM OF CLERICAL ERROR OR
21:01ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUE WITHIN
21:02THEIR VOTER REGISTRATION AND
21:04DID NOT HAVE THE TIME TO GET
21:05AWAY FROM THEIR WORK OR LIFE
21:08RESPONSIBILITIES TO AMEND THAT.
21:09ISSUE THEY MAY HAVE MOVED,
21:11CHANGE THEIR NAME, HAD A MIDDLE
21:13INITIAL LEFT OFF AND THESE CAN
21:15ALL BE UH, BARRIERS TO THEIR
21:16SIMPLE RIGHT TO VOTE.
21:18WE KNOW THAT THIS DOES NOT
21:19CREATE CHAOS AT THE POLLS.
21:21THIS DOES NOT CREATE ADDITIONAL
21:22BARRIERS FOR ELECTION
21:24ADMINISTRATORS IN THESE 23
21:25OTHER STATES.
21:26SOME STATES HAVE HAD ELECTION
21:27DAY REGISTRATION OR A VERSION
21:29OF SAME DAY VOTER REGISTRATION
21:30FOR OVER 50 YEARS AND HAVE NOT
21:32SEEN ANY EVIDENCE OF FRAUD, ANY
21:35INCREASED COSTS OR ANY FURTHER
21:37ISSUES RELATED TO UM
21:40ADMINISTRATION.
21:41WE ALSO KNOW THAT THIS DOES NOT
21:43ADD ANY FURTHER BURDEN ON
21:45ELECTION ADMINISTRATORS AND WE
21:47ARE PROUD TO SAY THAT THE
21:48VERSION THAT WE HAVE HERE IN
21:49MASSACHUSETTS PROPOSED IN FRONT
21:51OF US ALLOWS FOR A ONE YEAR UM,
21:53DELAYED IMPLEMENTATION.
21:54THIS WOULD NOT BE IMPLEMENTED
21:56UNTIL 2028 ALLOWING US TO HAVE
21:58FURTHER TRAINING UM AND
22:00EDUCATION FOR ELECTION
22:01ADMINISTRATORS AND ELECTION
22:03WORKERS PRIOR TO IMPLEMENTATION
22:06ALL AROUND WE KNOW THAT
22:07ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION IS
22:09SOMETHING THAT STANDS TO ONLY
22:11BENEFIT MASSACHUSETTS.
22:12IT DOES NOT STAND TO BENEFIT
22:14EITHER PARTY AND SPECIFIC ANY
22:16VOTER AT ANY TIME REGARDLESS
22:17OF THEIR POLITICAL PARTY, RACE,
22:20DEMOGRAPHIC ECONOMIC STATUS CAN
22:22EXPERIENCE AN ISSUE AT THE
22:24POLLS.
22:24I MYSELF HAVE BENEFITED FROM
22:26ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION AS A
22:27VOTER IN MAINE BEFORE MOVING
22:28BACK TO MASSACHUSETTS AND ONCE
22:31MOVING BACK TO MASSACHUSETTS.
22:33EXPERIENCE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN
22:34YOU DON'T HAVE ELECTION DAY
22:35REGISTRATION.
22:36WHEN I WAS UNABLE TO REGISTER
22:37TO VOTE THREE DAYS AFTER MOVING
22:40HOME THREE DAYS AFTER THE
22:41DEADLINE THANKFULLY I AM SO
22:44GLAD TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO VOTE
22:45THIS YEAR IN THE YEARS SINCE.
22:47BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT
22:48STICKS WITH ME AS I THINK
22:50OF ALL THE OTHER STUDENTS
22:50MOVING HOME STUDENTS WHO HAVE
22:52MOVED FORWARD AND THE REST
22:54OF THE COMMONWEALTH WHO SIMPLY
22:56NEEDS THAT RIGHT TO VOTE AND
22:57DOES NOT KNOW IF THEY'LL BE
22:58ABLE TO DO SO.
23:00I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN
23:01COUNCILOR LOUIJEUNE AND UM
23:02COUNCIL PRESIDENT FREEDOM FOR
23:03YOUR.
23:04UM BRINGING THAT UM RESOLUTION
23:07FORWARD AND HOPE THAT WE CAN
23:08GET TO BE MORE SUPPORT FOR YES
23:10ON FOUR UM AND THAT COMMON
23:11SENSE REFORM.
23:13THANK YOU.
23:14THANK YOU SO MUCH, CELIA.
23:15UH, WE NOW MOVE ON TO CHERYL
23:17CLYBURN.
23:17CRAWFORD I SAID THAT EXECUTIVE
23:18DIRECTOR OF MASS VOTE.
23:20BUT HOLD ON.
23:20Y'ALL HAVE THE CHAIR OF THE YES
23:22ON FOUR BALLOT COMMITTEE AND
23:24HOLD ON EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
23:26SECOND VICE PRESIDENT OKAY.
23:28EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE
23:31NAACP BOSTON BRANCH HERE.
23:32SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING
23:34WITH US.
23:34CHERYL.
23:35YOU HAVE THE FLOOR GRAY.
23:37>> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.
23:38GOOD MORNING, MADAM CHAIR AND
23:41MEMBERS OF THIS COMMITTEE
23:43DISTINGUISHED LEGISLATORS AND
23:45CONGRATULATIONS.
23:46HELLO SABINA.
23:47RIGHT.
23:48MY NAME IS CHERYL CLYBURN
23:50CRAWFORD I'M THE EXECUTIVE
23:51DIRECTOR OF MASS VOTE AS UH,
23:53COUNCILOR LUIGI AND JUST SAT IN
23:55THE CHAIR OF THE BALLOT
23:56QUESTION FOR COMMITTEE.
23:57THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY
23:59TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY ABOUT
24:00THE WORK MARCELLO IS DOING TO
24:02PREPARE MASSACHUSETTS VOTERS
24:04FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTION AND
24:06IMPORTANTLY ABOUT ELECTION DAY
24:08REGISTRATION BALLOT INITIATIVE
24:11MASS VOTER HAS SPENT 25 YEARS
24:14TO WORKING TO MAKE OUR
24:16DEMOCRACY MORE ACCESSIBLE,
24:18INCLUSIVE AND PARTICIPATORY.
24:20OUR WORK IS GROUNDED IN SIMPLE
24:22PRINCIPLE PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE
24:24TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR DEMOCRACY
24:27WITHOUT UNNECESSARY,
24:28UNNECESSARY BARRIERS STANDING
24:30IN THEIR WAY AS WE APPROACH
24:33NOVEMBER 3RD SELECTION, OUR
24:35WORK IS FOCUSED ON VOTER
24:37EDUCATION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
24:40AS WELL AS ELECTION DAY
24:42PREPAREDNESS AND MAKING SURE
24:43PEOPLE HAVE THE INFORMATION AND
24:45RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED TO
24:47PARTICIPATE.
24:48SO WHAT ARE WE DOING IN THE
24:50WEEKS LEADING UP TO THE
24:51ELECTION?
24:51MASS VOTE IS TAKEN OUR VOTER
24:53EDUCATION EFFORTS DIRECTLY INTO
24:55THE COMMUNITIES WE ARE
24:57DISSEMINATING EDUCATIONAL
24:58LITERATURE ABOUT.
24:59QUESTION FOR ELECTION DAY
25:02REGISTRATION MAKING SURE VOTERS
25:04UNDERSTAND WHAT THE QUESTION IS
25:05ABOUT AND WHAT IT WOULD MEAN
25:07FOR ELIGIBLE VOTERS.
25:09WE ARE CONDUCTING PHONE BANKS
25:11TO REACH VOTERS DIRECTLY AND
25:13PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE
25:15ELECTION IN QUESTION FOUR WE
25:16ARE TABLING AT COMMUNITY EVENTS
25:19AND IN NEIGHBORHOODS CREATING
25:21OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOTERS TO ASK
25:23QUESTIONS AND RECEIVE
25:25INFORMATION FACE TO FACE.
25:27WE ARE ALSO HOSTING A COMMUNITY
25:29FORUM TO PROVIDE VOTERS WITH
25:31THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT
25:33ETR ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION
25:35AND ENGAGE IN A BROADER
25:37CONVERSATION ABOUT ACCESS TO
25:39THE BALLOT.
25:40AND IMPORTANTLY, WE ARE
25:42RECRUITING AND PREPARING
25:44VOLUNTEERS TO SUPPORT OUR
25:45ELECTION PROTECTION PROGRAM ON
25:48ELECTION DAY.
25:49ELECTION PROTECTION IS AN
25:51IMPORTANT PART OF THIS WORK AS
25:52YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD.
25:53UM THE EDUCATION DOESN'T END
25:55WHEN THE.
25:56POLLS OPEN.
25:57WE WANT TO HAVE TRAINED PEOPLE
25:59AVAILABLE TO HELP IDENTIFY AND
26:01RESPOND TO PROBLEMS VOTERS MAY
26:04ENCOUNTER AT THE POLLS AND TO
26:05MAKE SURE VOTERS UNDERSTAND
26:07THEIR RIGHTS IN THE PROCESS.
26:09OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE PEOPLE IN
26:11COMMUNITIES BEFORE ELECTION DAY
26:13PEOPLE ON THE PHONES, PEOPLE AT
26:16TABLES, PEOPLE AT FORUMS AND
26:18TRAIN VOLUNTEERS PREPARE TO
26:20RESPOND ON ELECTION DAY.
26:22THAT IS WHERE VOTER ENGAGEMENT
26:23LOOKS LIKE IN PRACTICE ALONG
26:25WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
26:27BUT OUR WORK IS NOT SIMPLE.
26:29IT'S NOT SIMPLY ABOUT GETTING
26:31INFORMATION INTO PEOPLE'S
26:32HANDS.
26:33IT IS ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT
26:35THE INFORMATION REACHES PEOPLE
26:36THROUGH ORGANIZATIONS AND
26:38INDIVIDUALS THEY KNOW AND TRUST
26:41HENCE THE PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE
26:43ACROSS THE STATE WITH
26:44GRASSROOTS BASED BUILDING
26:46ORGANIZATIONS THAT.
26:48>> IS.
26:48PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FOR
26:49VOTERS WHO MAY FACE GREATER
26:51BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION YOUNG
26:53VOTERS, FIRST TIME VOTERS,
26:56VOTERS WHO HAVE RECENTLY MOVED
26:58AND PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT
26:59REGULARLY ENGAGE WITH THE.
27:01POLITICAL PROCESS.
27:03ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION AND
27:05THAT IS WHAT BRINGS ME TO THAT
27:07MASS VOTE HAS BEEN ADVOCATING
27:09FOR ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION
27:10SINCE I CAME TO MASS VOTE AS AN
27:13ORGANIZER IN 2008.
27:16FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES WE HAVE
27:18HEARD FROM VOTERS WHO ENCOUNTER
27:20REGISTRATION BARRIERS AT
27:22PRECISELY THE MOMENT THEY ARE
27:23TRYING TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT
27:25TO VOTE.
27:26SOMETIMES A PERSON HAS MOVED
27:27AND THEIR REGISTRATION
27:28INFORMATION HAS NOT BEEN
27:30UPDATED.
27:30UH, SOMETIMES A YOUNG PERSON
27:32BECOMES ELIGIBLE TO VOTE BUT
27:34MISSES THE REGISTRATION
27:36DEADLINE.
27:37SOMETIMES A VOTER BELIEVES THEY
27:39ARE REGISTERED AND ONLY
27:40DISCOVERS A PROBLEM WHEN THEY
27:42ARRIVE AT THE POLLING LOCATION
27:44THESE ARE NOT NECESSARILY
27:45PEOPLE WHO DECIDED NOT TO
27:47PARTICIPATE.
27:48THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO SHOWED UP
27:51AND THAT DISTRACTION MATTERS.
27:53THERE'S A REAL DISTINCTION
27:55THERE.
27:56QUESTION FOUR WOULD CREATE A
27:57PROCESS FOR AN ELIGIBLE VOTER
28:00TO REGISTER OR UPDATE THEIR
28:01VOTER REGISTRATION ADDRESS AT
28:03THE POLLING LOCATION ON
28:05ELECTION DAY.
28:06THE PROPOSED PROCESS INCLUDES
28:09REQUIREMENTS TO ESTABLISH
28:11RESIDENCY AND AFFIRM.
28:13ELIGIBILITY FOR MASS VOTE.
28:15THIS IS FUNDAMENTALLY ABOUT
28:17LIFTING A BARRIER TO VOTING
28:19WHILE MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY
28:21OF THE ELECTION PROCESS.
28:22OUR RESPONSIBILITY BETWEEN NOW
28:25AND NOVEMBER IS TO EDUCATE
28:27VOTERS ABOUT WHAT IS ON THE
28:28BALLOT, INCLUDING QUESTION FOUR
28:30AND TO MAKE SURE COMMUNITIES
28:32UNDERSTAND THE VOTING PROCESS.
28:33BUT I ALSO WANT TO EMPHASIZE
28:35SOMETHING TO THE MEMBERS
28:37OF THIS COMMITTEE VOTER
28:40EDUCATION CANNOT SOLVE EVERY
28:42BARRIER.
28:42WE CAN TELL SOMEONE THE
28:45REGISTRATION DEADLINE.
28:46WE CAN REMIND THEM TO CHECK
28:48THEIR REGISTRATION.
28:49WE CAN HELP THEM UNDERSTAND
28:51WHERE TO VOTE.
28:52BUT IF SOMEONE MISSES A
28:54DEADLINE, MOVES UNEXPECTEDLY OR
28:57DISCOVERS THE REGISTRATION
28:58PROBLEM WHEN THEY ARRIVE AT THE
29:00POLLS, INFORMATION ALONE CANNOT
29:02FIX THAT PROBLEM.
29:03THAT IS WHY ELECTION DAY
29:05REGISTRATION CAN MAKE A
29:06DIFFERENCE.
29:07MARCELLO BELIEVES THAT
29:09MASSACHUSETTS SHOULD CONTINUE
29:10LOOKING FOR WAYS TO ENSURE THAT
29:12ELIGIBLE CITIZENS CAN
29:14PARTICIPATE IN OUR ELECTIONS,
29:15AND THAT OUR ELECTION SYSTEM
29:17REFLECTS THE REALITIES
29:19OF PEOPLE'S LIVES.
29:20PEOPLE MOVE, PEOPLE CHANGE JOBS
29:22,YOUNG PEOPLE TURN 18, LIFE
29:24HAPPENS AND OUR DEMOCRACY
29:26SHOULD BE DESIGNED WITH THOSE
29:28REALITIES IN MIND.
29:30FOR 25 YEARS MASSPORT HAS
29:31WORKED ALONGSIDE COMMUNITY
29:33PARTNERS ACROSS THE
29:34COMMONWEALTH TO STRENGTHEN
29:36CIVIC CIVIC PARTICIPATION.
29:39AS WE PROFIT AS WE PREPARE FOR
29:41THIS ELECTION, WE WILL CONTINUE
29:43DOING THAT WORK DISTRIBUTING
29:46INFORMATION, MAKING PHONE CALLS
29:48,TABLING IN COMMUNITIES,
29:49HOSTING FORUMS, EDUCATING
29:50VOTERS AND MOBILIZING
29:52VOLUNTEERS FOR ELECTION
29:53PROTECTION.
29:54AND WE WILL CONTINUE ADVOCATING
29:56FOR A SYSTEM WHERE AN ELIGIBLE
29:58VOTER WHO HAS MADE THE EFFORT
30:00TO SHOW UP AND PARTICIPATE HAS
30:03A MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITY TO DO
30:05SO BECAUSE DEMOCRACY IS
30:07STRONGEST WHEN ELIGIBLE VOTERS
30:08ARE NOT PREVENTED FROM
30:10PARTICIPATING BY BARRIERS THAT
30:12CAN BE RESPONSIBLY REMOVED.
30:14THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR
30:16YOUR COMMITMENT TO
30:17STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY IN
30:19MASSACHUSETTS.
30:20THANK YOU.
30:20THANK YOU SO MUCH, CHERYL.
30:22UH, WE'LL NOW TURN IT OVER TO
30:24TRACY.
30:24TRACY, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
30:32GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.
30:33UH, MY NAME IS TRACY GRIFFITH.
30:36I'M HERE TO TESTIFY ON BEHALF
30:37OF THE ACLU OF MASSACHUSETTS
30:40WHERE I DIRECT THE RACIAL
30:41JUSTICE PROGRAM.
30:42UM, AND WE'RE HERE SUPPORTING
30:44THE BOSTON CITY COUNCIL'S
30:45COMMITTEE ON CENSUS
30:46REDISTRICTING AND ELECTIONS
30:47PARTICULARLY DOCKET NUMBER 0183
30:50REGARDING VOTER ACCESSIBILITY
30:52AND ELECTION PREPAREDNESS.
30:54UM, YOU KNOW, AS IS THE
30:55INTENTION OF THIS COMMITTEE, WE
30:57AT THE ACLU OF MASSACHUSETTS
30:59ARE SEEKING TO REMOVE BARRIERS
31:01THAT PREVENT QUALIFIED VOTERS
31:02FROM PARTICIPATING IN ELECTIONS
31:04AND HAVING THEIR VOTES COUNTED
31:06AND I WILL SPEAK TODAY VERY
31:08SPECIFICALLY ABOUT ISSUES
31:10ENCOUNTERED DURING THE RECENT
31:11PRIMARY ELECTION THAT WE FEEL
31:13NEED TO BE ADDRESSED TO ENSURE
31:15THE NOVEMBER 3RD GENERAL
31:16ELECTION IS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL
31:19VOTERS IN THE CITY OF BOSTON.
31:21UH, THE ACLU OF MASSACHUSETTS
31:23IS PROUD TO BE A PART OF THE
31:24ELECTION UH PROTECTION UM
31:27PROGRAM AND OUR MANY PARTNERS
31:29WHO ARE PARTICIPATING IN THIS
31:31HEARING TODAY AS A PART OF THE
31:34EP PROGRAM, WE CONDUCTED SITE
31:36VISITS AND ASSISTED IN
31:38VOLUNTEER SUPPORT AND
31:39COORDINATION AT POLLING PLACES
31:40IN ROXBURY, DORCHESTER,
31:43MATTAPAN AND A VARIETY OF OTHER
31:45PLACES AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH
31:46OUR ROLE WAS TO OBSERVE ANY
31:48ISSUES OR DISCREPANCIES THAT
31:50COULD PREVENT OR DISCOURAGE A
31:52REGISTERED VOTER FROM VOTING.
31:54IN THE 2026 MASSACHUSETTS
31:56PRIMARY ELECTION, THE MOST
31:58PREVALENT ISSUES OBSERVED
32:00DURING OUR WORK ON PRIMARY
32:02ELECTION DAY WERE RELATED TO
32:03SIGNAGE AND ACCESSIBILITY
32:07ISSUES WITH ACCESSIBILITY AT
32:08POLLING LOCATIONS IN ROXBURY,
32:11DORCHESTER AND MATTAPAN WERE
32:13THE MOST.
32:14CONSISTENT AND GLARING PROBLEM
32:16OBSERVED ON PRIMARY DAY.
32:18MANY LOCATIONS HAD LITTLE TO NO
32:21ADA DESIGNATED PARKING SPACES
32:23AND WHEN ASKED WHY THIS WAS THE
32:25CASE, ANSWERS RANGED FROM NOT
32:27KNOWING THE PARKING SPACE HAD
32:29TO BE PROVIDED TO THE FACT THAT
32:31VERY FEW VOTERS AT THE POLLING
32:32LOCATION NEEDED SUCH
32:34ACCOMMODATION.
32:35THAT IS NOT THE STANDARD AT
32:37ORCHARD PARK COMMUNITY CENTER,
32:39THE SIGN DESIGNATED THE PARKING
32:41SPOT WAS SO FADED THAT IT WAS
32:44DIFFICULT TO INITIALLY ASSESS
32:47WHETHER IT WAS MEANT FOR ADA
32:49USERS.
32:49IT WAS ALSO THE ONLY SPACE
32:51PROVIDED.
32:53THERE WAS ALSO AN ISSUE
32:55OF MULTIPLE SITES THAT HAD
32:56HEAVY DOORS WITH NO AUTOMATED
32:58DOOR OPENING FUNCTION, ALTHOUGH
33:00THIS MAY NOT BE A REQUIREMENT,
33:03IT CERTAINLY WOULD MAKE IT MORE
33:05ACCESSIBLE ALTHOUGH THEY DID
33:06HAVE COMPLIANT HANDLES ON THOSE
33:09DOORS AT ONE LOCATION THE GREAT
33:12HALL AT CODMAN SQUARE HEALTH
33:13CENTER SIGNS THAT DIRECTED
33:16TOWARD AN ADA ACCESSIBLE
33:17ENTRANCE TOOK YOU AROUND THE
33:19BUILDING, THEN UP A STEEP HILL
33:22LEADING TO A DOOR THAT WAS
33:24LOCKED.
33:25YOU WERE FORCED TO GO THROUGH
33:27THE MAIN ENTRANCE WHICH HAD
33:29FIVE STEEP STEPS WITH NO
33:31RAILING.
33:32AT LEAST THAT DOOR WAS PROPPED
33:34OPEN.
33:35ALL OF THE LOCATIONS DID HAVE
33:38AUTOMATIC MACHINES, AND POLL
33:39WORKERS UNDERSTOOD HOW TO USE
33:41THEM, SO THAT WAS A GOOD THING.
33:43BUT ACCESSIBILITY AT THE
33:45HIGGINSON LOUIS K THROUGH EIGHT
33:47SCHOOL WAS VIRTUALLY
33:48IMPOSSIBLE.
33:49THIS WAS IN LARGE PART DUE TO
33:51THE SCHOOLS STILL BEING OPEN
33:53AND HAVING THEIR PROFESSIONAL
33:55DEVELOPMENT DAY ON THE SAME DAY
33:57AS THE PRIMARY, MEANING THAT
33:58THE PRESENCE OF TEACHERS AND
34:01PARENTS AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS
34:02LEFT ALMOST NO PARKING
34:04AVAILABLE FOR ANYONE AND THE
34:06ADA SPOTS IN THE PARKING LOT
34:08AND ON THE STREET WERE
34:09THEREFORE TAKEN.
34:12THE NEXT ISSUE THE SECOND
34:13BIGGEST CHALLENGE VOTERS FACED
34:15ON PRIMARY DAY WAS SIGNAGE.
34:18THIS WAS ALSO AN ISSUE AT
34:20ALMOST EVERY LOCATION,
34:23ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH MULTIPLE
34:24OPEN ENTRANCES.
34:26MULTIPLE SITES REPORTED VOTERS
34:28BEING CONFUSED ABOUT HOW TO
34:30FIND THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE
34:31POLLING LOCATION.
34:33THE ONLY LOCATIONS OBSERVED
34:35WHERE SIGNAGE WAS ADEQUATE HAD
34:37ONE ENTRANCE, MAKING IT EASIER
34:40TO DIRECT VOTERS SIGNS OFTEN
34:42ONLY EXTENDED ABOUT 10 TO 15FT
34:44FROM THE ENTRANCE.
34:46MEANING IF YOU PARKED OR
34:47APPROACHED FROM A DIFFERENT
34:48DIRECTION AS WAS THE CASE FOR
34:50HIGGINS AND LEWIS K THROUGH
34:51EIGHT YOU WERE LEFT TO CLOSE TO
34:53GET CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE MAIN
34:55ENTRANCE TO SEE YOUR VERY FIRST
34:57SIGN.
34:58UM, YOU KNOW, ONE OF OUR
35:00RECOMMENDATIONS IS THAT SIGNAGE
35:02EXTEND AS FAR AS MAYBE 100FT
35:03FROM THE MAIN ENTRANCE WITH
35:05DIRECTIONAL SIGNS ON ALL SIDES
35:08OF THE POLLING LOCATION.
35:11MANY SIGNS WERE ALSO HARD TO
35:12READ FROM A DISTANCE AND POORLY
35:14PLACED AROUND LOCATIONS UM.
35:16THIS LED TO REPORTS OF SOME
35:18VOTERS INITIALLY BEING CONFUSED
35:20ABOUT IF THEIR WARD AND
35:21PRECINCT WERE INSIDE THE
35:23CORRECT POLLING LOCATION.
35:25THE MORE PROMINENT SIGNS WERE
35:26PRONE TO COLLAPSING DUE TO
35:28BEING MADE OF PAPER AND
35:29OF COURSE IT RAINED ON PRIMARY
35:31MORNING.
35:32THESE ARE ISSUES THAT ARE QUITE
35:34EASILY RESOLVED WITH A LITTLE
35:35ATTENTION TO DETAIL,
35:37PRE-ELECTION SITE AUDITS AND A
35:39COLLABORATIVE WORKING
35:40PARTNERSHIP WITH ORGANIZATIONS
35:42LIKE MANY OF THOSE HERE THAT
35:44PROMOTE ELECTION PROTECTION AND
35:46ARE ON THE GROUND THE DAY
35:48OF THE ELECTION WATCHING FOR
35:49PROBLEMS SUCH AS THESE.
35:51I WANT TO THANK COUNCILORS
35:53LOUIJEUNE AND PEPEN FOR
35:54BRINGING US TOGETHER TODAY AND
35:57TO CONTINUE TO MAKE VOTING
35:58ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL ELIGIBLE
36:00VOTERS HERE IN BOSTON.
36:02THANK YOU.
36:04THANK YOU SO MUCH, TRACY.
36:06UM, AND THANK YOU FOR LAYING
36:08OUT SOME ISSUES THAT WE NEED TO
36:10WORK ON.
36:11I DID SEE SOME ADMINISTRATION
36:13WRITING DOWN SOME OF THE
36:14ISSUES, SO I THINK THEY WERE
36:15TAKING SOME OF THOSE TO HEARTS
36:16AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS
36:17WHY WE HAVE THESE HEARINGS.
36:18SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.
36:19UH AND LASTLY WE HAVE A VIDEO
36:20FROM RAHSAAN HALL, EXECUTIVE
36:22DIRECTOR OF THE URBAN LEAGUE
36:24OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS.
36:26WHO WILL THAT WE WILL PLAY?
36:30CHERYL LOUIJEUNE AND MEMBERS
36:31OF THE COMMITTEE THANK YOU FOR
36:33THE OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY.
36:35I'M RAHSAAN HALL, PRESIDENT AND
36:37CEO OF THE URBAN LEAGUE
36:38OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS.
36:40FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES
36:41VOTING RIGHTS HAVE BEEN CENTRAL
36:43TO MY WORK.
36:44I HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ELECTION
36:46PROTECTION EFFORTS SINCE 2004
36:48AND THE LAWYERS FOR CIVIL
36:50RIGHTS I WORKED ON LITIGATION
36:52TO EXPAND VOTER REGISTRATION
36:54ACCESS UNDER THE NATIONAL VOTER
36:55REGISTRATION ACT AT THE ACLU
36:58OF MASSACHUSETTS, I WAS
36:59INVOLVED IN LITIGATION
37:00CHALLENGING MASSACHUSETTS VOTER
37:03REGISTRATION CUTOFF.
37:04I'VE ADVOCATED FOR FAIR AND
37:06REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICTS
37:07THROUGH THE DRAWING DEMOCRACY
37:09COALITION.
37:10DURING THE 2011 AND 2021
37:13REDISTRICTING EFFORTS THROUGH
37:14DRAWING DEMOCRACY COALITION UH,
37:17THE PROCESS THAT ALSO INCLUDED
37:19BOSTON'S 2012 REDISTRICTING.
37:21I'VE ALSO BEEN A LONG TIME
37:23PARTICIPANT IN THE ELECTION
37:25MODERNIZATION COALITION, WORKED
37:26THROUGH THE MASKED COUNT'S
37:28COALITION TO PROMOTE A FAIR AND
37:30ACCURATE CENSUS AND CURRENTLY
37:32SERVE WITH RANKED CHOICE FOSTER
37:35I OFFER THAT BACKGROUND BECAUSE
37:37ACCESS TO THE BALLOT AND
37:39COMPETENT ELECTION
37:40ADMINISTRATION ARE INSEPARABLE.
37:43DOCKET ZERO 183 APPROPRIATELY
37:46CALLS FOR EXAMINING BALLOT
37:48PLANNING, POLL WORKER
37:49RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING,
37:51COMMUNICATIONS ACCESSIBILITY
37:52AND COORDINATION BETWEEN
37:54MUNICIPAL AND STATE OFFICIALS
37:57THAT DOCKET UH, IN LIGHT
37:59OF BOSTON'S RECENT HISTORY
38:00DEMONSTRATES WHY THAT
38:03EXAMINATION MATTERS.
38:05IN 2024, MULTIPLE PRECINCTS
38:07LACKED SUFFICIENT BALLOTS,
38:09COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS BECAME
38:10OVERWHELMED AND VOTERS
38:12EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT DELAYS
38:13THE SECRETARY OF THE
38:15COMMONWEALTH SUBSEQUENTLY
38:16ORDERED AN OVERHAUL OF THE
38:18ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT AND STATE
38:19OVERSIGHT.
38:20THROUGH THIS YEAR.
38:22THERE HAVE BEEN IMPORTANT
38:23IMPROVEMENTS SINCE THEN
38:25INCLUDING EXPANDED POLL,
38:26EXPANDED POLL WORKER
38:28RECRUITMENT TRAINING, IMPROVED
38:31COMMUNICATIONS AND GREATER
38:32COORDINATION WITH STATE
38:33OFFICIALS AND THOSE
38:35IMPROVEMENTS SHOULD CONTINUE.
38:36THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN
38:38THE CURRENT ENVIRONMENT WHERE
38:40THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
38:41DEPLOYED MONITORS TO BOSTON AND
38:43OTHER MASSACHUSETTS POLLING
38:45LOCATIONS DURING THIS YEAR'S
38:46PRIMARY.
38:47THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
38:48DESCRIBES THIS AS FEDERAL
38:51ELECTION LAW MONITORING, WHICH
38:53HAS THE SIGNIFICANT AND
38:56IMPORTANT HISTORICAL PRECEDENT
38:58WHICH WHAT THE DEPARTMENT
39:00OF JUSTICE RECENTLY DID DOES
39:01NOT MEET THAT STANDARD.
39:04AT THE SAME TIME, WE SHOULD BE
39:05ATTENTIVE TO ANY ACTIONS OR
39:07MESSAGING THAT COULD INTIMIDATE
39:09OR DISCOURAGE ELIGIBLE VOTERS.
39:11THIS IS NOT A MOMENT TO RETREAT
39:13IT'S A MOMENT TO LEAN IN.
39:16BOSTON SHOULD ENSURE THAT
39:17ELECTIONS STAFF, EQUIPMENT,
39:19BALLOTS, LANGUAGE ACCESS,
39:22ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS,
39:23COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND
39:24CONTINGENCY PLANS ARE FULLY
39:27PREPARED AND THE CITY SHOULD
39:28CONTINUE WORKING CLOSELY WITH
39:30THE SECRETARY OF THE
39:31COMMONWEALTH AND WITH THE
39:33NONPROFITS AND CIVIL SOCIETY
39:35ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE LONG
39:36WORKED TO ENSURE FAIR,
39:39ACCESSIBLE AND EFFICIENTLY
39:40ADMINISTER ELECTIONS.
39:43FINALLY, THE URBAN LEAGUE
39:45OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS
39:46SUPPORTS ELECTION DAY VOTER
39:48REGISTRATION AND THE PURPOSE
39:50REFLECTED IN DOCKET 1805.
39:52THE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZES THAT
39:54QUESTION FOUR WOULD ALLOW
39:56ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS TO REGISTER
39:58OR UPDATE THEIR ADDRESSES AT
40:00POLLING PLACES ON ELECTION DAY,
40:02SUBJECT TO THE RESIDENCY AND
40:04ELIGIBILITY SAFEGUARDS OF THIS
40:06DOCKET.
40:07UH, THE SECRETARY OF THE
40:08COMMONWEALTH LIKEWISE CONFIRMS
40:11THOSE REQUIREMENTS THROUGH THE
40:13ELECTION MODERNIZATION
40:14COALITION.
40:15THE URBAN LEAGUE HAS
40:17CONSISTENTLY SUPPORTED SAME DAY
40:19REGISTRATION BECAUSE WE VIEW IT
40:21AS ONE IMPORTANT PIECE OF A
40:22BROADER MOSAIC OF REFORMS
40:25DESIGNED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY
40:27BARRIERS AND EXPAND
40:28PARTICIPATION.
40:30OUR ADVOCACY HAS NEVER BEEN
40:32ABOUT BENEFITING ONE
40:33NEIGHBORHOOD, ONE CONSTITUENCY
40:36OR ONE POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE.
40:38IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT
40:40ENSURING THAT EVERY ELIGIBLE
40:43BOSTON RESIDENT CAN
40:45PARTICIPATE, THAT EVERY LAWFUL
40:46VOTE CAN BE CAST AND COUNTED
40:49AND THAT OUR ELECTION SYSTEM
40:51EARNS THE CONFIDENCE OF THE
40:53PEOPLE IT SERVES.
40:54THAT HAS BEEN THE WORK OF THE
40:56URBAN LEAGUE FOR OVER 107 YEARS
40:59HERE IN THE CITY OF BOSTON AND
41:01THE SURROUNDING AREA, AND WE
41:03HOPE TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE
41:05WORK OF THIS COMMITTEE, UH, THE
41:08COUNCIL AND THE CITY TO ENSURE
41:10THAT THAT CONTINUES TO BE THE
41:11CASE FOR THE REST OF THE CITY
41:14OF BOSTON AND THE COMMONWEALTH.
41:17THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ON THANK
41:20YOU TO ALL OF THE PANELISTS.
41:21UM, WE'VE ALSO BEEN JOINED BY
41:24COUNCILOR WEBER.
41:24I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF MY
41:25COLLEAGUES WE'RE GOING TO MOVE
41:26TO QUESTIONS IF YOU WANT TO
41:27OFFER AN OPENING OR IF WE COULD
41:29JUST GO RIGHT INTO QUESTIONS
41:30OKAY.
41:30THANK YOU.
41:31I ALSO RECEIVED AN ABSENCE
41:33LETTER FROM UM COUNCILOR AND WE
41:37GAVE HER THEN A DEAR CHAIR
41:38LOUIJEUNE MR. CLERK AND
41:39COUNCIL COLLEAGUES I REGRET TO
41:40INFORM ME THAT I AM UNABLE TO
41:42ATTEND THIS MORNING'S COMMITTEE
41:43ON CENSUS SHOOTING AND
41:44ELECTIONS HEARING ON DOCKET
41:46NUMBER 0183 ORDER FOR A HEARING
41:48REGARDING VOTER ACCESSIBILITY
41:49AND ELECTION PREPAREDNESS AND
41:521805 RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT
41:54OF QUESTION FOUR UM AS A
41:56CO-SPONSOR OF DOCKET 0183, I'M
41:57COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT OUR
41:58ELECTIONS ARE CARRIED OUT
41:59EFFECTIVELY.
42:00EVERY VOTER SHOULD BE ABLE TO
42:01CAST THEIR BALLOT AT THEIR
42:02POLLING LOCATION NO MATTER THE
42:03ELECTION.
42:03WITH OUR UPCOMING STATE
42:05ELECTIONS, IT IS IMPERATIVE
42:06THAT THE BOSTON ELECTION
42:07COMMISSION HAS ALREADY
42:08REMEDIED, UH, PREVIOUS BALLOT
42:10PRINTING MISHAPS TRAIN POLL
42:11WORKERS TO THE BEST OF THEIR
42:12ABILITY ON SCIENCE AND
42:13TECHNOLOGY AND CLARIFIED ANY
42:15CONFUSION TO SUPPORT BOSTON'S
42:16VOTE BOSTON'S VOTERS TO HAVE AN
42:18EXPERIENCE FREE OF OBSTACLES.
42:19I'LL FOLLOW UP WITH ANY
42:20ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS UPON
42:21REVIEWING MY STAFF'S NOTES AND
42:24WATCHING THE RECORDING, PLEASE
42:25DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT MY
42:26STAFF WITH ANY QUESTIONS.
42:28SO THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES.
42:29THANK YOU AGAIN TO THE
42:30ADVOCATES AND THANK YOU FOR
42:31UPLIFTING SOMETHING THAT I
42:33OMITTED IN THE BEGINNING.
42:34RIGHT.
42:34THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S
42:36ATTEMPT TO INTIMIDATE US AND
42:38OUR VOTERS IN THE ELECTION
42:41PROCESS.
42:41UH, WE KNOW THAT VOTING IS
42:43SECRET AND WE KNOW THAT
42:44ESPECIALLY IN THIS CLIMATE, UH,
42:46FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT
42:48IN ANYTHING UH, BEYOND WHAT IS
42:51PERMISSIBLE AND WHAT IS LEGAL
42:54UH CREATES FEAR AMONG A LOT
42:56OF COMMUNITIES AND IS
42:57COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY AND IS
42:59DETRIMENTAL TO THE WORK
43:00OF DEMOCRACY.
43:00SO THANK YOU.
43:01I NEVER SAW HIM UPLIFTED IT UM
43:03AND OTHERS AS WELL.
43:04SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK
43:05YOU FOR REMINDING US OF THE
43:06CLIMATE THAT WE'RE IN AND WHY
43:09WE NEED TO EVEN DOUBLE DOWN ON
43:11BEING INTENTIONAL ABOUT MAKING
43:13DEMOCRACY ACCESSIBLE.
43:14TO EVERY PERSON.
43:14SO I'M JUST GOING TO START OFF
43:16WITH SOME QUESTIONS I'M GOING
43:17TO GIVE MYSELF UH TOTAL
43:19OF SEVEN MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS
43:21AND MY COLLEAGUES WILL HAVE TWO
43:22MINUTES NOW EVERYONE EVERYONE
43:23HAVE WE WILL HAVE SEVEN MINUTES
43:26FOR QUESTIONS AND THEN IF YOU
43:28NEED TO WE'LL DO A SECOND
43:29ROUND.
43:29IT'S FRIDAY Y'ALL GOTTA BRING
43:31SOME LEVITY INTO THIS OKAY UM
43:33SO MY FIRST QUESTION UH IT WAS
43:36MENTIONED AND WE TALKED ABOUT
43:37IT AND WE SAW IT IN SOME
43:38JURISDICTIONS UH, DURING THE UH
43:41PRIMARY BUT THERE ARE INACTIVE
43:43VOTERS WHO ARE REMOVED FROM THE
43:45VOTER ROLLS.
43:45IF YOU COULD TALK A LITTLE BIT
43:46ABOUT THAT, DO WE SEE THAT IN
43:48BOSTON?
43:48I KNOW THAT WE SAW IT WAS WE
43:50SAW IT IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
43:51AND WHAT IS THE EFFORT BEING
43:53DONE ON STATEWIDE TO SORT OF UH
43:55,REVERSE THE TREND OF REMOVING
43:57INACTIVE VOTERS WHO ARE DEEMED
43:59TO BE INACTIVE AND WHY THEY'RE
44:00DEEMED INACTIVE FROM THE VOTING
44:02ROLLS.
44:06UH, SO I MEAN, I JUST KNOW THAT
44:08WE HAVE LEGISLATION THAT WE'RE
44:09TRYING TO ADVANCE TO DECOUPLE
44:11THAT SO THAT WE CANNOT HAVE UM
44:13,YOU NOT FILLING OUT THE
44:15CENSUS IN THE FIRST PLACE THAT
44:16PUTS YOU ON THAT LIST?
44:18UM, BUT WE DO HAVE INACTIVE
44:21VOTERS AND WE HAVE A BUNCH OF.
44:23GO AHEAD.
44:25YEAH.
44:25>> I WOULD JUST ADD TO THAT
44:27THAT YES, THE MUNICIPAL CENSUS
44:28WE DO SEE AS THE NUMBER ONE
44:30BARRIER AND THE REASON FOR
44:32INACTIVE VOTERS UH.
44:34VOTERS TO BE DEEMED INACTIVE IN
44:36MASSACHUSETTS.
44:37I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW
44:38THINGS AS PART OF OUR
44:39LEGISLATIVE PUSH FOR THIS IS
44:41THAT MASSACHUSETTS IS THE ONLY
44:42STATE IN THE NATION.
44:43THAT HAS THE.
44:44MUNICIPAL CENSUS AND THE ANNUAL
44:46STREET LISTING TIED TO VOTER
44:48REGISTRATION IN THIS WAY THIS
44:50IS A UNIQUE PROBLEM TO
44:52MASSACHUSETTS AND UNFORTUNATELY
44:52NOT SOMETHING WE LEAD IN.
44:54UM, WE ALSO KNOW THAT, YOU
44:56KNOW, AS CHERYL PUT GREAT UH,
44:58VERY WELL IN HER REMARKS THAT
45:00VOTER EDUCATION CAN ONLY GO SO
45:02FAR THE AT.
45:03>> THE.
45:04LEAGUE WE CONTINUE TO REMIND
45:05VOTERS TO UM FILL OUT THEIR
45:07ANNUAL STREET LISTING BUT ONLY
45:09ONE STREET LISTING IS SENT PER
45:11HOUSEHOLD AND IN MANY UM, YOU
45:13KNOW, DISTRICTS IF YOU'RE A
45:15RENTER IT CAN BE.
45:16EVEN MORE COMPLICATED.
45:17TO GET YOUR STREET LISTING.
45:18ALL IT TAKES IS THE ONE PERSON
45:20WHO GRABS THE MAIL IN YOUR
45:21HOUSEHOLD.
45:21UM, ACTUALLY MY FIANCÉ DID THIS
45:23TO US WHERE HE THREW OUT THE
45:25STREET LISTING.
45:25I HAD TO FISH IT OUT AND, UH,
45:27GET THAT TOO.
45:28>> AND IF IT'S NOT RETURNED TO
45:29ALL THE VOTERS IN THE HOUSEHOLD
45:30THEN ARE DEEMED.
45:31YES, ALL THE VOTERS IN THE
45:33HOUSEHOLD ARE THEN.
45:33DEEMED I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IN
45:34BOSTON WE DO WE DO THIS DO WE
45:37DO THIS TO THE SAME EXTENT THAT
45:38WE DO?
45:38WE DO OKAY.
45:39WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT AT THE ON
45:41THE NEXT PANEL.
45:41SO YEAH SO I WOULD HIGHLIGHT
45:43THAT IS THE STREET LISTING.
45:44WE HAVE HAD LEGISLATION PUT
45:46FORWARD TO DECOUPLE THE
45:47MUNICIPAL CENSUS.
45:48WE'LL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR
45:49THAT.
45:49BUT IT IS.
45:50A WRAPAROUND APPROACH AND VOTER
45:51EDUCATION CAN ONLY GET US SO
45:53FAR IF.
45:54>> WE.
45:54DO NOT.
45:54>> REMOVE THAT TIE TO THE
45:55CENSUS.
45:56THANK YOU.
45:56I KNOW THAT THIS WAS A MAJOR
45:57ISSUE IN THE LAST MUNICIPAL
45:58ELECTION AS WELL IN OTHER
46:00JURISDICTIONS AND SO I'D LOVE
46:02TO WE DOES HAVE TO BE AT THIS
46:04MOMENT BUT IF SOMEONE CAN NAME
46:05THE BILL SO WE CAN SEE WHAT
46:07THIS COMMITTEE CAN DO TO BE IN
46:08SUPPORT, THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL
46:10IF ANYONE HAS THE BILL NUMBER
46:11AND STATUS OF WHERE IT STANDS
46:12AND HOW AND WHO FILED IT AND
46:14HOW WE CAN BE SUPPORTIVE.
46:16I CAN GRAB THAT FOR YOU IN JUST
46:17A SECOND.
46:18I HAVE OUR TRACKER PULLED UP.
46:20THANKS, BROOKE.
46:21>> I KNOW YOU ALSO SPOKE TO
46:22THIS SO I'M NOT SURE IF YOU
46:23WANTED TO SHARE.
46:24>> I THINK.
46:25UM I AM A BOSTON RESIDENT.
46:28>> I LIVE IN JAMAICA PLAIN.
46:29UM, AND I SIMILARLY I RECENTLY
46:33MOVED AND SORT OF SOME OF MY
46:37MAIL GOT LOST IN THE SHUFFLE
46:38AND UM BUT WE ALSO RECEIVED THE
46:42THE CENSUS UM FORM AND LUCKILY
46:46I DID FILL IT OUT.
46:47BUT YOU KNOW, I THINK UM IT'S
46:49IMPORTANT THAT WE FOCUS ON
46:51DECOUPLING.
46:51I KNOW THAT UM THE ISSUE IS IS
46:55PREVALENT IN BOSTON.
46:56>> THERE ARE CERTAIN CERTAINLY.
46:57OTHER MUNICIPALITIES WHERE IT
46:59WAS A.
46:59BIGGER ISSUE DURING THE PRIMARY
47:01THERE.
47:01WAS ONE POLLING PLACE IN
47:03LAWRENCE.
47:04WHERE 80%.
47:06OF THE VOTERS THAT SHOWED UP
47:08WERE ON THE INACTIVE LIST,
47:09WHICH IS LIKE TRULY REMARKABLE
47:12TO THINK THAT THE NUMBER WAS
47:1480%.
47:16SO I DON'T HAVE SPECIFIC DATA
47:17FOR WHAT.
47:18>> IT LOOKED LIKE AT.
47:18POLLING PLACES IN BOSTON IN
47:20PARTICULAR.
47:20BUT I KNOW THIS IS AN ISSUE
47:22THAT REALLY AFFECTS EVERY
47:23CORNER OF THE COMMONWEALTH
47:24BECAUSE EVERYONE IS GETTING
47:26THAT THE SAME MAILINGS.
47:28YEAH THANK YOU.
47:29YEAH I I'VE HEARD ABOUT IT FROM
47:30A NUMBER OF VOTERS PARTICULARLY
47:31IF UH I HEAR ABOUT IT FROM
47:33HAITIAN VOTERS UM IN OTHER
47:35JURISDICTIONS.
47:35AND SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
47:37THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE
47:38CAN WORK ON LIKE IS IT IS THE
47:41ARE WE AT THE POINT WHERE ANY
47:43SORT OF BENEFIT THAT WE THINK
47:44WE'RE GETTING FROM REMOVING
47:45PEOPLE FROM THE ROLLS, UM, IS
47:48COMPLETELY OUTWEIGHED BY THE
47:49HARM THAT IS HAPPENING?
47:50AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT WE MAY
47:52BE AT THAT TIPPING POINT AND WE
47:54MAY HAVE BEEN THERE FOR SOME
47:55SOME TIME.
47:55OKAY, I'M TALKING TOO MUCH SO I
47:57WON'T BE ABLE TO GET TO MY
47:58QUESTIONS BUT UM UH MY NEXT OH
48:00AND WE'VE BEEN JOINED BY UH
48:02COUNCILOR AT LARGE.
48:02YOU'LL HEAR MEJIA.
48:03THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS
48:04MORNING.
48:04UM.
48:05>> WANTED TO ASK AS WE THINK
48:08ABOUT QUESTION FOUR AND THE
48:10IMPORTANCE OF SAME DAY UM, UH,
48:13VOTER REGISTRATION CAN YOU TALK
48:14ABOUT WHAT ELSE THE CITY SHOULD
48:16BE DOING IN ORDER TO PREPARE
48:17FOR THE POTENTIAL AND HOPEFUL
48:19IMPLEMENTATION OF IT IN 2028 TO
48:22ENSURE THAT, YOU KNOW, ONE
48:23OF THE CRITIQUES IS THAT, YOU
48:24KNOW, HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT
48:25THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO
48:27VOTE ARE THE ACTUAL ONES
48:30VOTING?
48:30SO IF ANYONE COULD COULD SPEAK
48:31TO THAT THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.
48:37YEAH.
48:37>> AND THANK YOU SO MUCH
48:38COUNCILOR FOR BRINGING THAT UP
48:40BEFORE I GET INTO THAT I JUST
48:41FIND THE BILL NUMBER FOR THE
48:43DECOUPLING BILL.
48:44SO IT'S HOUSE BILL 799 SENATE
48:45BILL 503 UM PRESENTED BY
48:48REPRESENTATIVE ARRIAGA.
48:50>> IN.
48:50THE HOUSE AND UM SENATOR CINDY
48:52CREAM IN THE SENATE UM AND IT
48:54IS CURRENTLY UM SENT TO STUDY
48:56UH DUE TO THE NEW RULES UM IN
48:59THE HOUSE OR IN THE STATE HOUSE
49:01BUT SPEAKING TO THE
49:03IMPLEMENTATION OF ELECTION DAY
49:04REGISTRATION, THE SUPPORT OF WE
49:07CANNOT UM, UNDERMINE HOW MUCH
49:08THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY
49:10COUNCIL HERE IN BOSTON WOULD
49:11HELP US.
49:11>> WITH THIS.
49:12IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICALLY IN
49:13HELPING US IDENTIFY THE WAYS
49:15THAT.
49:16UM.
49:17>> WE CAN WORK BETTER AS
49:18ADVOCATES TO SUPPORT
49:19IMPLEMENTATION.
49:20UM, WE KNOW THAT THIS IT HAS
49:23THE SUPPORT OF OUR CHIEF CLERK
49:25,UM, SECRETARY GALVIN WHO
49:26BROUGHT IT TO THE BALLOT.
49:27BUT WE.
49:28ALSO KNOW THAT THIS IS
49:29SOMETHING THAT TAKES A LOT
49:30OF CARE.
49:31UM, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE
49:33IMPLEMENTATION AND HOW BEST TO
49:35PREPARE FOR IT.
49:36UM, I'M WORKING DIRECTLY WITH
49:38THE SECRETARY'S OFFICE AS
49:39ALWAYS.
49:40WHAT I HIGHLY RECOMMEND UM,
49:41THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED THE.
49:42>> DIFFERENT.
49:43WAYS THAT.
49:43HAVE A FUNDING.
49:44CAN HELP WITH THE.
49:45IMPLEMENTATION UM, AS WELL AS
49:47DIFFERENT WAYS TO UM EDUCATE
49:49AND TRAIN ON ELECTION DAY
49:52REGISTRATION.
49:53UM, SOMETHING I ALWAYS LIKE TO
49:54POINT TO AS WELL IS THAT
49:56ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION OR
49:57SOME FORM OF SAME DAY
49:58REGISTRATION IS ACTUALLY NOT
50:00QUITE NEW TO MASSACHUSETTS.
50:01IT'S NEW IN THE SENSE OF ON
50:03ELECTION DAY.
50:04BUT DURING THE EARLY VOTING
50:05PERIOD WE DO HAVE A DAYS
50:07OVERLAP WHERE OUR POLL WORKERS
50:09AND OUR AWESOME ADMINISTRATORS
50:11ARE USED TO DOING A FORM
50:12OF VOTER REGISTRATION ON AN
50:14ELECTION DAY.
50:15SO I WOULD LOOK TO THOSE
50:17PROCESSES AND UM I APOLOGIZE
50:19I'M NOT A RESIDENT OF BOSTON SO
50:21I CAN'T SPEAK TO UH THAT HERE.
50:24I WOULD LOOK TO OUR OTHER
50:25PANELISTS FOR THAT.
50:25BUT UM, AS FAR AS THAT I ALWAYS
50:28LOOK TO HOW ARE THOSE PROCESSES
50:29GOING AND CAN THAT BE EXPANDED
50:31FURTHER?
50:32THANK YOU.
50:33UM, CHERYL, YOU.
50:34WANT TO.
50:34>> I.
50:35WAS JUST GOING TO SAY I'VE
50:36WITNESSED IT HAPPENING IN NEW
50:37HAMPSHIRE.
50:38WE TOOK A BUNCH OF FOLK OVER
50:39TO.
50:40>> NEW HAMPSHIRE TO WATCH.
50:41ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION
50:42HAPPENING.
50:43IT WAS SEAMLESS AND I WE THINK
50:45THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE IN IN 23
50:47OTHER STATES AND IN WASHINGTON
50:49DC THAT WE COULD PULL.
50:50FROM SOME OF THE SUCCESSES THAT
50:52THEY'VE HAD IN IMPLEMENTING UM
50:54EDR BUT TRAINING AND EDUCATION.
50:56SO JUST YOU KNOW, WHAT WE DO IN
50:58ANY WAY IS CRITICAL AS WE BRING
51:00IT FORWARD.
51:00THANK YOU CHERYL AND TRACY I
51:02JUST WANT TO SAY IF YOU
51:03WHENEVER YOU WANT TO JUMP IN TO
51:04ALSO TRACY FEEL FREE.
51:06SO UM I AM NOW GOING TO MOVE ON
51:08TO UH MY COLLEAGUES AND IF I
51:09HAVE MORE QUESTIONS SO THERE
51:10WILL BE A SECOND ROUND I'LL ASK
51:12A SECOND ROUND BUT UM,
51:13COUNCIL PRESIDENT BREADON, YOU
51:14HAVE THE FLOOR.
51:15UM THANK YOU.
51:16UM, I.
51:17>> THINK.
51:18THIS ISSUE.
51:18WITHIN ACTIVE.
51:19VOTING UM, IT'S DEFINITELY
51:21NEEDED.
51:21WE NEED TO ADDRESS IT.
51:23>> UH, I'M CURIOUS THE THE
51:25LAURENS PRECINCT WHERE THE, UH
51:27,INACTIVE VOTERS WHO WERE HAD
51:30TO PROBABLY TAKE A PROVISIONAL
51:31BALLOT UM.
51:33UH.
51:34>> IS IS THE CURRENT IS THE
51:36CURRENT IMMIGRATION CLIMATE UM,
51:39IMPACTING YOU KNOW, ARE FOLKS
51:42AFRAID TO UM, RETURN THEIR
51:45MUNICIPAL CENTERS?
51:46UH, I'M JUST CURIOUS JUST.
51:49THAT'S I.
51:50CAN'T SPEAK TO THAT
51:51SPECIFICALLY, BUT I DO KNOW
51:53THAT.
51:53FOLKS WHO COME FROM MIXED
51:55STATUS HOUSEHOLDS.
51:56WHO ARE.
51:57INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUALS OF COLOR
52:00UM, WHO ARE IMMIGRANTS
52:01THEMSELVES CERTAINLY.
52:02ARE A LITTLE BIT.
52:03MORE WARY OF ANY TYPE
52:04OF GOVERNMENT MAIL.
52:05UM AND I THINK THAT AND THEN
52:08ALSO IF YOU'RE AN INACTIVE
52:09VOTER YOU HAVE TO SHOW AN ID UM
52:11AND SOMETIMES THAT IT DOESN'T
52:13HAVE TO BE A PHOTO ID BUT STILL
52:16PEOPLE.
52:16GET A LITTLE KIND OF ON EDGE
52:18WHEN THEY'RE ASKED TO PRESENT A
52:19FORM OF IDENTIFICATION EVEN IF
52:20THEY ARE AN ELIGIBLE VOTER.
52:21AND SO I THINK ALL OF THESE
52:23SORT OF.
52:24LET'S CALL IT.
52:26>> JUST LIKE BUREAUCRATIC.
52:27PAPERWORK FOR LACK OF.
52:28A BETTER TERM.
52:29IT IT DEFINITELY STANDS TO
52:31CHILL ELIGIBLE VOTERS, UM,
52:33PARTICULARLY FROM THESE MOST
52:34VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES.
52:36THANK YOU.
52:36>> UM SO SAME TO VOTER
52:39REGISTRATION REALLY SEEMS LIKE
52:40A NO BRAINER TO ME BUT UM AND
52:42THESE 24 OTHER STATES HAVE BEEN
52:44DOING IT.
52:45UM, UH, ARE THERE PARTICULAR
52:49BARRIERS IN MASSACHUSETTS THAT
52:51YOU KNOW, HOW DO WE IF WE HAD
52:53AN EXCEPTION TO THE RULE, WHY
52:55IS IT SUCH A CHALLENGE HERE?
52:58ARE THERE PARTICULAR BARRIERS
53:00THAT PEOPLE HOLD UP?
53:03>> AND SO WE COULDN'T I THINK
53:04IT'S.
53:04CALLED LEGISLATORS.
53:05YOU JUST.
53:06>> CAN'T JUST GET IT.
53:07YOU SAID IT MIGHT BE.
53:09NO I THINK THAT IS A PART
53:10OF IT.
53:10WE I CAME TO MASS VOTE AS I
53:12SAID IN MY REMARKS IN.
53:132008 AS AN ORGANIZER TO PASS
53:16EDR AND WE'VE BEEN AT IT WE'VE
53:18BEEN AT IT.
53:18AND TO YOUR POINT, COUNCILOR,
53:21IT IS A NO BRAINER.
53:22THERE ARE BARRIERS AT.
53:23>> THE STATEHOUSE.
53:24>> I'M JUST.
53:25>> GOING TO SAY IT.
53:25THERE ARE.
53:26>> BARRIERS AT THE STATEHOUSE
53:27THAT.
53:27>> ARE PREVENTING THIS FROM
53:28HAPPENING AND I'M NOT SURE IF
53:31IT'S BECAUSE THEY DON'T BELIEVE
53:32THAT.
53:32IT WORKS OR.
53:33THE THINGS THAT THEY WERE
53:35THINKING INITIALLY HAVE NOT
53:37COME TRUE OR ARE NOT TRUE.
53:40AND NOW IT'S A THING OF DIGGING
53:41IN.
53:41THAT'S HOW I FEEL THAT YOU
53:43KNOW, DIGGING IN WE'RE NOT
53:44GOING TO MOVE BECAUSE AND WE
53:46HAVE SO MUCH WE HAVE OVER 69%
53:49OF THE OF MASSACHUSETTS
53:51ELIGIBLE VOTERS THAT ARE IN
53:54FAVOR OF ELECTION DAY
53:57REGISTRATION.
53:58SO SO IN TERMS OF UM, WHO THE
54:01FOLKS THAT ARE THE MOST
54:02IMPACTED BY THE INABILITY TO,
54:05YOU KNOW, REGISTERED SAME DAY
54:07VOTER REGISTRATION.
54:08I THINK YOU KNOW.
54:11SO IT'S AN ACROSS THE BOARD
54:13PROBLEM.
54:14UM, YOU KNOW.
54:15I ALWAYS POINT TO ANYONE IN.
54:17>> THE COMMONWEALTH CAN BECOME
54:18A VOTER AFFECTED BY THIS AT THE
54:20LEAGUE WE ALWAYS POINT TO ANY
54:22MARRIED WOMAN IF YOU GET
54:23MARRIED AT THE WRONG TIME AND
54:24CHANGE.
54:24>> YOUR NAME AT THE WRONG TIME,
54:25YOU ARE.
54:26>> NOW AFFECTED BY THE LACK
54:27OF ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION.
54:29BUT WHERE WE POINT TWO DIRECTLY
54:30AS PART OF THIS CAMPAIGN ARE
54:32RENTERS.
54:33OUR WORKING CLASS.
54:35UM FOLKS AND UH DISABLED FOLKS
54:38AS WELL AS ANYONE WHO HAS THAT
54:41UM INABILITY OR LACK OF ABILITY
54:42TO GET IN FRONT OF UM EITHER
54:45THEIR ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATORS
54:47ACCESS.
54:47>> TO INTERNET.
54:48>> IS SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY
54:49IMPORTANT AS WELL AS IF YOU'RE,
54:50YOU KNOW, WORKING TO TRY AND
54:52USE PUBLIC ACCESS IF YOU'RE A
54:53LIGHT WORKER, YOU KNOW
54:55LIBRARY'S CLOSED AND YOU CAN'T
54:56GET ONLINE TO ONLY VOTE TO
54:58REGISTER ONLINE.
54:59SO THERE IS A WIDE VARIETY
55:01OF PEOPLE WE POINT DIRECTLY TO
55:02RENTERS IN THE WORKING CLASS
55:04WHO.
55:04>> THIS WAY.
55:05WE'D SEE THE WIDE MARGIN
55:06AFFECTING BUT TRULY IT CAN BE
55:08ANYONE AT ANY TIME THAT NEEDS
55:09ELECTION DAY VOTER.
55:10REGISTRATION AND I JUST WANT.
55:12>> TO MAKE SURE WE LIFT UP LOW
55:14INCOME CITIZENS BECAUSE THEY
55:15TEND TO MOVE MORE FREQUENTLY.
55:17YEAH SO.
55:18AND AND I'LL JUST ADD TO THAT I
55:20THINK I THINK THIS GOES TO SHOW
55:22THAT IT REALLY IS IT COULD BE
55:23ANYONE UM BUT I THINK LOW
55:26INCOME FOLKS WHO ARE OF WORKING
55:28CLASS ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY
55:30PEOPLE OF COLOR AND THEY MIGHT
55:33NOT HAVE ACCESSIBLE
55:34TRANSPORTATION TO TO GO THEY
55:36MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE OFF
55:37OF WORK TWO DAYS VERSUS IF YOU
55:39HAVE JUST ONE DAY TO GO TO A
55:41POLLING PLACE AND YOU KNOW YOU
55:42CAN BOTH REGISTER AND VOTE ON
55:44THAT SAME DAY, THAT BECOMES AND
55:46IF YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH CHILD
55:47CARE RIGHT, IT JUST BECOMES SO
55:49MUCH EASIER IF IT'S A ONE STOP
55:50SHOP FOR FOR THE WHOLE PROCESS
55:53SO SORRY I NEVER STARTED YOUR
55:55TIME OUT IF.
55:56FOR MORE MINUTES.
55:595558 SORRY.
56:02SO UM CHERYL, YOU SAID YOU WENT
56:03UP TO NEW NEW HAMPSHIRE TO
56:05OBSERVE AND OBSERVE WHAT THEY
56:06DID.
56:06UM, IN TERMS OF OF OF THEIR
56:08BEST PRACTICES FROM OUR
56:11NEIGHBORING STATES THAT ARE
56:12DOING THIS LIKE OTHER OTHERS.
56:13BEST PRACTICES THAT WE SHOULD
56:15TRY AND EMULATE.
56:16I WOULD THINK THE PROCESS WAS.
56:18SO SEAMLESS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
56:20THAT WE COULD LOOK TO THEM.
56:22THEY'RE ONE OF OUR NEIGHBORING
56:23STATES TO SHARE WITH US.
56:25I MEAN LIKE WE LITERALLY WALKED
56:27INTO THE POLLING LOCATION AND
56:28WITNESSED PEOPLE THAT WERE NOT
56:30ON UM, THE LIST AND THEY WOULD
56:33SIMPLY TO ANOTHER LINE SHOWED
56:35PROOF OF RESIDENCY AND VOTED ON
56:38A REAL BALLOT.
56:39RIGHT BECAUSE THAT MATTERS.
56:41PROVISIONAL BALLOTS WE ALREADY
56:43KNOW IS A MAJOR PROBLEM
56:45PARTICULARLY HERE IN
56:47MASSACHUSETTS.
56:47AND WE KNOW THAT ELECTION DAY
56:49REGISTRATION WOULD ELIMINATE
56:50SOME OF THAT.
56:53AND I REPRESENT ALLSTON
56:54BRIGHTON SO 70% OF THE
56:57NEIGHBORHOOD CHANGED ADDRESS ON
56:58SEPTEMBER 1ST WHICH IS IT'S A
57:01BIG PROBLEM.
57:02SO UM I KNOW ONE ARGUMENT THAT
57:04I'VE HEARD FROM UH, AN ELECTED
57:08OFFICIAL WAS THAT WELL, HAVING
57:10SAME DAY ELECTION DAY
57:12REGISTRATION PREVENTS UM THEM
57:16UH, MAILING THEIR RESIDENTS AND
57:19HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT
57:21POLICY OR WHATEVER.
57:22UM, IS THERE AN IS THERE AN
57:24ANTIDOTE TO THAT OR IS IT A
57:25COUNTER ARGUMENT FOR THAT LIKE
57:27UM YOU SHOULD BE TALKING TO
57:28EVERYBODY REGARDLESS BUT IN
57:31ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO VOTE TO
57:32REGISTER AHEAD OF TIME RIGHT.
57:34>> AND JUST DO YOUR JOB.
57:35ALL THE.
57:36>> TIME RIGHT?
57:36LIKE EVERYBODY'S GOING TO KNOW
57:37WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND.
57:39I MEAN IT'S NOT IT'S NOT LIKE
57:41WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE.
57:42VOTING IN ANY ELECTION.
57:44IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATA IN
57:46MASSACHUSETTS THANK YOU SABINO
57:47FOR SENDING THAT OUT TIMELY
57:49WHILE WE'RE WATCHING UH.
57:51LIVE RESULTS COME IN.
57:55WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT.
57:58VOTING IN ONE PARTICULAR AREA
58:00AND THEN GOING TO ANOTHER AREA
58:02RUNNING CAMPAIGNS ON ELECTION
58:04DAY.
58:04I WISH THEY WOULD.
58:05RUN CAMPAIGNS ON ELECTION DAY
58:07TO GET PEOPLE OUT TO VOTE.
58:08I JUST THINK THAT IT'S A THING.
58:10NOW AND IT'S IT'S NOT AN
58:11EXISTING.
58:12THAT WE'RE.
58:12>> NOT ORGANIZED.
58:13WE'RE GOOD ORGANIZERS I MUST
58:15SAY, BUT WE'RE NOT ORGANIZING
58:16AT THAT LEVEL.
58:17SO WHAT NEW RESPONSIBILITIES
58:19WOULD FALL ON MUNICIPAL
58:21ELECTIONS, UH, OFFICIALS OR
58:22POLL WORKERS YOU KNOW, TO DO
58:24ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION?
58:26IS IT IS IT YOU SAID IT'S NOT
58:28IT'S NOT AN ONEROUS TASK.
58:30UH COULD.
58:30>> YOU ONE YEAH I CAN TAKE
58:31THAT.
58:33SO THERE WOULDN'T IT'S
58:34IMPORTANT TO UNDERLINE THAT
58:35IT'S NOT EXTRANEOUS WORK THAT
58:36IS ADDED TO ANY ELECTION
58:38ADMINISTRATOR.
58:39IT IS A SHIFTING OF WHERE
58:41CERTAIN RESOURCES ARE ON
58:42ELECTION DAY.
58:43UM, I KNOW CHERYL HAS POINTED
58:45TO PROVISIONAL BALLOTS AS THE
58:46HUGE PROBLEM THAT THEY ARE AND
58:48WE'VE SEEN IN THE 24 UM STATES
58:51AND D.C. THAT HAVE UM ELECTION
58:54DAY REGISTRATION THAT THERE IS
58:55A REDUCED NUMBER OF THOSE
58:57PROVISIONAL BALLOTS BEING
58:58FILLED OUT WHICH ALLOWS FOR
59:00THOSE POLL WORKERS OR ELECTION
59:02ADMINISTRATORS WHO ARE TAKING
59:03ON THE ARDUOUS WEEKS LONG TASK
59:06OF VERIFICATION TO FOCUS THAT
59:08ON ELECTION DAY IN GETTING REAL
59:10BALLOTS INTO THE HANDS
59:12OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS.
59:13UM.
59:14>> IT'S A VERY SMALL ADDITION
59:15TO THAT WORK TO POTENTIALLY PUT
59:18RESOURCES UM, WE DO ACKNOWLEDGE
59:19IT MAY TAKE MOVING MAYBE SOME
59:21UH POLL WORKERS TO MORE UM,
59:24HIGH PROFILE OR HIGH YIELD UM
59:26POLLING SITES BUT WE REALLY
59:28DON'T SEE ANY MAJOR INCREASE IN
59:30THE WORK.
59:31UM, IT'S JUST MOVING THAT
59:32PROVISIONAL BALLOT WORK THAT
59:34TAKES AGAIN WEEKS TIME,
59:36RESOURCES, MONEY TO VERIFY
59:38AFTER ELECTION DAY AND ALLOWING
59:40IT TO OCCUR ON ELECTION DAY TO
59:42BE COUNTED WITH OUR RESULTS.
59:44>> I SEE TRACY.
59:46YOU'RE GOOD.
59:46YOU HAVE A MINUTE?
59:47>> 30 I'M SORRY.
59:48I'M A MINUTE.
59:48UM.
59:51SO I I'M A BIG PROPONENT I IN
59:53THE CONSTITUENCY I CAME FROM
59:55BACK HOME IN NORTHERN IRELAND
59:56THAT WAS CONSIDERED A MAJOR
59:58DISASTER OF VOTER TURNOUT
59:59DECREASE TO 60% AND THAT WAS
1:00:02THAT WAS WHAT'S GONE WRONG.
1:00:04UM, THERE'S GOOD REASONS WHY
1:00:06THAT WAS HIGH BUT UM I CAN WE I
1:00:10FEEL VOTING IS SUCH A SACRED
1:00:12RESPONSIBILITY.
1:00:13IT'S LIKE SERVING ON A JURY.
1:00:14IT'S UM AND IT'S REALLY PART
1:00:17OF BEING A CITIZEN AND BE
1:00:18REALLY ENGAGED.
1:00:19UM, HOW CAN WE TRY AND LIKE I
1:00:23THINK 8080 MILLION PEOPLE
1:00:24DIDN'T VOTE IN THE LAST
1:00:26PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION?
1:00:27UM, I CAN WE I CAN WE REALLY
1:00:30WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND
1:00:33EVERYBODY TO GET THEM TO BE
1:00:35MORE AND TO TO ACTUALLY GET OUT
1:00:37AND VOTE LIKE ANY ANY AND
1:00:39THERE'S ANY SECRET SAUCE I
1:00:42THINK IT'S AN.
1:00:43ATTACK IT FROM ALL FRONTS UM
1:00:45KIND OF STRATEGY.
1:00:46YOU KNOW IT TAKES US AS
1:00:47ADVOCATES IT TAKES UH YOU.
1:00:49KNOW.
1:00:50>> YOU AS THE TRUSTED
1:00:51MESSENGERS UM, TO ALLOW PEOPLE
1:00:53TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS
1:00:54SOMETHING THAT WE ARE ALL
1:00:55DEEPLY INVESTED IN, UM, NOT
1:00:57ONLY AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND
1:00:58AS VOTERS BUT AS PEOPLE WHO
1:01:00WANT THIS NEXT GENERATION TO BE
1:01:02INVOLVED.
1:01:03AND I THINK TO YOUR POINT ON
1:01:04THESE YOUNG VOTERS, UM,
1:01:05COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I THINK.
1:01:06THAT.
1:01:07>> YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO INVITE
1:01:08THEM INTO THE ROOM IN ELECTION
1:01:09DAY REGISTRATION ALLOWS US TO
1:01:11DO THAT ALLOWS US TO INVITE
1:01:13THESE YOUNG PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT
1:01:15MASSACHUSETTS WANTS THEM TO
1:01:16HAVE THIS ACCESS TO VOTE, WHICH
1:01:18WE KNOW FOR STUDENT
1:01:19POPULATIONS, ESPECIALLY IN
1:01:20BOSTON MANY OF THEM DON'T HAVE
1:01:21BECAUSE OF THEIR MOVING AND
1:01:23BECAUSE OF THAT SEPTEMBER 1ST,
1:01:24I KNOW THE PRIMARY DAY THIS
1:01:26YEAR WE SAW A LOT OF THAT.
1:01:28UM, SO I THINK THAT ALLOWING US
1:01:30TO ATTACK FROM ALL ANGLES AND
1:01:32USING WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW
1:01:33WORKS OF VOTER EDUCATION BUT
1:01:35TAKING THESE POLICY ANGLES
1:01:37OF ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION
1:01:39OF DECOUPLING THE MUNICIPAL
1:01:40CENSUS ALLOWS US TO SEND THE
1:01:42MESSAGE THAT VOTERS NEED TO
1:01:43HEAR, WHICH IS THAT WE WANT TO
1:01:45HEAR THEIR VOICE AND THEIR
1:01:46VOICE IS THEIR POWER AND
1:01:47MASSACHUSETTS RESPECTS THAT.
1:01:49THANK YOU.
1:01:50>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
1:01:51THANK YOU.
1:01:51WE'VE ALSO BEEN JOINED BY
1:01:53COUNCILOR EARL.
1:01:53UH.
1:01:54COUNCILOR WEBER.
1:01:54>> YOU HAVE THE FLOOR IN SEVEN
1:01:56MINUTES.
1:01:56OKAY.
1:01:56>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
1:01:58UH, WITH.
1:01:58SORRY.
1:01:58>> UM.
1:01:59>> NO, UH, YOU'RE GOING TO
1:02:03START THE CLOCK FOR ME.
1:02:03YES YES YES.
1:02:04SORRY I FOR.
1:02:05SEVEN MINUTES.
1:02:06>> IF YOU NEED.
1:02:06MORE I WILL COME BACK.
1:02:07SEVEN MINUTES IS VERY GENEROUS,
1:02:08SO.
1:02:09OKAY.
1:02:09>> NO, UH THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
1:02:11UH, JUST FOLLOWING UP ON THAT
1:02:12UH, LAST QUESTION I DID I SAW
1:02:16UH, I THERE'S A I DON'T KNOW
1:02:18WHERE WHO'S READY FOR NOW E.J.
1:02:19DIONNE, UH, HAD A BOOK OUT A
1:02:22YEAR OR SO AGO ABOUT VOTER
1:02:24PARTICIPATION PARTICIPATION.
1:02:25AND HE LOOKED AT AUSTRALIA
1:02:27WHICH HAS VERY HIGH
1:02:28PARTICIPATION.
1:02:29THEY ALSO THEY FINE PEOPLE $20
1:02:31IF THEY DON'T VOTE AND THAT
1:02:33APPARENTLY GETS YOUR VOTER
1:02:35TURNOUT VERY HIGH I, I.
1:02:38DON'T I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT
1:02:39HERE BUT I MEAN UH IS THERE
1:02:42SOME SOMETHING WE CAN DO TO
1:02:45INCENTIVIZE PEOPLE TO GO OUT TO
1:02:46VOTE?
1:02:47I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU THINK
1:02:48ABOUT AUSTRALIA UH, IN THAT
1:02:50MODEL.
1:02:50I LOVE THAT.
1:02:51YEAH I DO I LIKE.
1:02:53IS IT CALLED UNIVERSAL.
1:02:55VOTING PRINCIPLE DURING
1:02:57SOMETHING LIKE.
1:02:58VOTING COMPULSORY?
1:03:00YEAH I LIKE IT.
1:03:01AND THE REASON WE.
1:03:02I THINK WE'RE NOT.
1:03:03REALLY PUSHING IT HARD HERE
1:03:05FROM MY PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE
1:03:07THINGS TEND TO BE
1:03:09DISPROPORTIONATELY DISTRIBUTED
1:03:12SO $20 IN A COMMUNITY WHERE
1:03:14PEOPLE CAN'T.
1:03:15AFFORD THAT.
1:03:17VERSUS SOMEBODY THAT MAKES
1:03:19$200,000 A YEAR AND THEY DECIDE
1:03:21NOT TO VOTE $20 IS A DROP IN
1:03:23THE BUCKET.
1:03:24IF WE COULD FIGURE OUT.
1:03:25HOW I THINK I CAN'T REMEMBER.
1:03:27WHAT COUNTRY IT IS.
1:03:28I'M SORRY BUT THEY TAKE THEIR
1:03:30LICENSE.
1:03:30HOW ABOUT THAT?
1:03:31THAT MAKES IT EVEN YOU DON'T.
1:03:34VOTE.
1:03:34>> YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR DRIVER'S
1:03:35LICENSE SO THEREFORE YOU CANNOT
1:03:37PARTICIPATE IN MOST THINGS
1:03:38RIGHT.
1:03:39BUT FIGURING OUT SOME WAY I
1:03:41THINK IT'S EVERYBODY'S.
1:03:44UH THAT SHOULD BE THE THING
1:03:46THAT YOU DO IS TO VOTE AND TO
1:03:47SPEAK AND TO PARTICIPATE IN
1:03:50DEMOCRACY IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
1:03:52HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD.
1:03:54NOT TOO.
1:03:55MANY TOO FEW PEOPLE ARE MAKING
1:03:58DECISIONS FOR ALL OF US BECAUSE
1:03:59WE DON'T GO OUT TO VOTE.
1:04:00AND THE QUESTION OF WHAT ELSE
1:04:02CAN WE DO?
1:04:03I MEAN OUTSIDE OF SETTING.
1:04:05OURSELVES ON FIRE, WE'RE
1:04:06LOOKING FOR.
1:04:07PEOPLE TO REALLY GIVE US UM,
1:04:10SUGGESTIONS.
1:04:11WE'RE TAKING IT TO THE STREETS.
1:04:13WE THINK ONE ON ONE
1:04:14CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE
1:04:15REALLY WORK.
1:04:16BEST HELPING PEOPLE.
1:04:18TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS AT STAKE
1:04:20FOR THEM.
1:04:21I THINK THEY MISS IT BECAUSE
1:04:22THEY CAN'T SEE THE RESULTS
1:04:24OF IT OF AN ELECTION.
1:04:25WHEN WE'RE FIGHTING FOR
1:04:26SOMETHING AND IT DOESN'T.
1:04:28PASS, THEY DON'T.
1:04:29SEE IT AS BEING MEANINGFUL
1:04:32BECAUSE IT DIDN'T AFFECT THEM.
1:04:33DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
1:04:34SO WE GOT TO FIGURE OUT WAYS
1:04:35TO.
1:04:36>> HAVE THEM CONNECT THE.
1:04:37DOTS TO UNDERSTAND HOW VOTING
1:04:41IS IMPACTS THEIR DAILY LIVING.
1:04:44YEAH I'M TRYING YEAH WELL
1:04:46CERTAINLY BEFORE WE DID
1:04:47ANYTHING LIKE THAT WE NEED TO
1:04:48MAKE SURE WE CAN GET PEOPLE
1:04:50REGISTERED, REMOVE THE
1:04:51OBSTACLES TO VOTING SO THE BUT
1:04:53UH DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING.
1:04:54I WAS JUST GOING TO ADD UM, TWO
1:04:56THINGS.
1:04:57ONE KIND OF ADDING ON TO THAT I
1:04:59THINK ESPECIALLY WITH WITH
1:05:03YOUTH UM, REALLY BRINGING THE
1:05:05IMPACT OF THEIR VOICE AND THEIR
1:05:07VOTE CLOSER TO HOME.
1:05:09I THINK THAT UM, YOU KNOW, IT'S
1:05:11EXCITING TO CAST YOUR BALLOT
1:05:12FOR PRESIDENT AND THESE THESE
1:05:14BIG UM, YOU KNOW, I GUESS WHAT
1:05:17WE THINK OF AS THESE BIGGER,
1:05:19MORE MORE STAKES ELECTIONS BUT
1:05:20I THINK AS LAWYERS FOR CIVIL
1:05:22RIGHTS, WE AND THESE
1:05:23ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL WE FOCUS
1:05:24A LOT ON WHAT'S LOCAL, WHAT'S
1:05:26CLOSER TO HOME.
1:05:28UM, THINGS LIKE YOUR SCHOOL
1:05:29BOARD ELECTION YOU KNOW, THESE
1:05:31PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE THAT YOU
1:05:33HAVE THE CHANCE TO ELECT ARE
1:05:34REALLY GOING TO REPRESENT YOUR
1:05:36NEEDS ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS.
1:05:38AND SO I THINK TRYING TO
1:05:41TRANSLATE THAT TO YOUTH TO TO
1:05:43GET EXCITED ABOUT THESE MORE
1:05:46CLOSE TO HOME ISSUES I THINK IS
1:05:48IMPORTANT.
1:05:49UM, AND THEN IF WE WANT TO
1:05:50THROW ANOTHER SORT OF PIE IN
1:05:52THE SKY IDEA I DON'T THINK IT
1:05:54SHOULD BE PIE IN THE SKY BUT.
1:05:55ELECTION DAY SHOULD BE A
1:05:57HOLIDAY BREAK THAT WOULD
1:05:58ELIMINATE SO MANY BARRIERS FOR
1:06:00SO MANY PEOPLE.
1:06:02UM AND WOULD WOULD CERTAINLY
1:06:04SOLVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS.
1:06:06OKAY.
1:06:07>> UH AND THEN SO FOR UM, UH,
1:06:09SAME DAY REGISTRATION OR VOTING
1:06:11DAY REGISTRATION LIKE I THINK
1:06:13YOU I UH WHAT DO WE HAVE TO
1:06:17HAVE IN PLACE FOR THAT TO BE
1:06:18EFFECTIVE?
1:06:18YOU KNOW, UH IS IT CAN WE DO IT
1:06:21WITH THE SAME STAFF TO WE NEED
1:06:24MACHINES AND, YOU KNOW, UH,
1:06:26LIKE WHAT WOULD WE NEED TO MOVE
1:06:28TO GET THAT.
1:06:30EFFECTIVE EQUIPMENT?
1:06:32MHM.
1:06:32>> RIGHT.
1:06:34UH ELECTRONIC IPADS.
1:06:35>> I THINK WE TRIED IT ON EARLY
1:06:37VOTING HAVING THOSE KIND
1:06:39OF SYSTEMS IN PLACE TO MAKE
1:06:40PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THE ELECTION
1:06:42IS SECURE.
1:06:42RIGHT FOR SURE.
1:06:44YEAH.
1:06:44AS LONG AS.
1:06:45>> A POLLING LOCATION CAN GET
1:06:47UM ACCESS INTO VIRUS THIS IS A
1:06:49REALLY SIMPLE THING TO GET
1:06:51FORWARD.
1:06:51SO FOR SOME UM, YOU KNOW,
1:06:53POLLING LOCATIONS GETTING THAT
1:06:55ACCESS WHETHER IT BE UM
1:06:57TECHNOLOGY WOULD BE UH A BIG
1:06:59ONE BUT REALLY IT IS A VERY
1:07:01SIMPLE IMPLEMENTATION HERE IN
1:07:03MASSACHUSETTS BECAUSE OF THE
1:07:04WAY THAT WE ALREADY HAVE
1:07:06STRUCTURED UM, OUR YOU KNOW,
1:07:08VOLUNTEERS, OUR POLL WORKERS,
1:07:10OUR ADMINISTRATORS IT'S JUST
1:07:11MOVING THOSE RESOURCES AROUND,
1:07:13UM, AWAY FROM THE.
1:07:14PROVISIONAL BALLOTS.
1:07:15ALTHOUGH I SEE TRACY HAS HER
1:07:17COFFEE.
1:07:18TRACY, COME ON.
1:07:19IN MY BAG.
1:07:20COME ON.
1:07:21>> TRACY.
1:07:21OH, WORRIES.
1:07:21>> NO WORRIES.
1:07:22YEAH, JUST JUST A FOLLOW UP A
1:07:24LITTLE BIT.
1:07:24UM, I I TOTALLY AGREE WITH
1:07:26BROOKE THAT WE ARE WE'RE IN A
1:07:28SITUATION WHERE WE NEED TO
1:07:30BRING IN AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE
1:07:32POSSIBLY CAN AND MAKE IT AS
1:07:33EASY FOR THEM TO BE
1:07:35PARTICIPATORY IN OUR DEMOCRACY.
1:07:36UH, AS A FORMER EDUCATOR, I
1:07:38BELIEVE THAT IT'S IT NEEDS TO
1:07:39START EARLY.
1:07:41UM, AND YOU KNOW, AND I'M
1:07:43TALKING LIKE SCHOOL AGE, RIGHT?
1:07:45LIKE IT NEEDS TO START EARLY AS
1:07:47TO WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO TO
1:07:49PARTICIPATE IN OUR DEMOCRACY.
1:07:51AND THEN THE OTHER PIECE OF IT
1:07:52IS IN TERMS OF THE EDUCATION
1:07:54PIECE.
1:07:54UM, SO AT THE ACLU WE RUN A
1:07:57PROGRAM CALLED BIPOC TO THE
1:07:58BALLOT BOX WHERE IT REALLY IS
1:08:00ABOUT MUNICIPAL AND ELECTIONS.
1:08:03RIGHT?
1:08:04LIKE THE DAY TO DAY THINGS THAT
1:08:05AFFECT YOUR YOUR DAILY LIVES.
1:08:07UM, AND YOU KNOW, BROOKE
1:08:09BROUGHT UP THE GREAT POINT OF,
1:08:10YOU KNOW, THE SCHOOL BOARD LIKE
1:08:11IT'S THE SCHOOL BOARD WHO
1:08:12DECIDES IF THEY YOU KNOW, IF
1:08:14THEY'RE GOING TO BAN BOOKS OR
1:08:16YOU KNOW, AND SO, YOU KNOW,
1:08:18THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM FOCUSES
1:08:20A LOT ON MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
1:08:22AND THE WAYS IN WHICH THOSE DAY
1:08:25TO DAY UM, THOSE FOLKS WHO ARE,
1:08:27YOU KNOW, MAKING THOSE DAY TO
1:08:28DAY DECISIONS FOR YOU IMPACT
1:08:30YOUR DAILY LIVES.
1:08:31ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO
1:08:32FIND THOUGH, IN TERMS OF WHY
1:08:34PEOPLE AREN'T PARTICIPATING
1:08:35WHEN PEOPLE ARE ARE TRYING TO
1:08:38SURVIVE, YOU KNOW, ELECTION IS
1:08:40PRETTY LOW.
1:08:42YOU KNOW, VOTING IS PRETTY LOW
1:08:43ON THE LIST OF OF THINGS.
1:08:45RIGHT.
1:08:46UM, WE'VE GOT TO MAKE IT
1:08:47APPARENT TO THEM WHY VOTING IS
1:08:50IMPORTANT AND HOW IT IMPACTS
1:08:52THEIR DAILY LIVES, HOW IT
1:08:54IMPACTS THEIR GROCERY STORE
1:08:55PRICES, HOW IT IMPACTS THEIR
1:08:56YOU KNOW, THE THE EDUCATION
1:08:58THAT THEIR CHILDREN RECEIVE,
1:08:59HOW IT IMPACTS THEIR ROADS THAT
1:09:01THEY DRIVE ON EVERY SINGLE DAY.
1:09:02AND I THINK A LOT OF THAT IS IS
1:09:04THE EDUCATIONAL PIECE OF IT.
1:09:06BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT STARTING
1:09:07ON THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL IS WHERE
1:09:10WE REALLY, REALLY NEED TO
1:09:12EDUCATE FOLKS ON HOW YOU KNOW,
1:09:14HOW PARTICIPATING IN ELECTIONS
1:09:15REALLY AFFECTS THEM.
1:09:17UH, ONE QUICK, QUICK JUST IN
1:09:21TERMS OF VOTER PARTICIPATION
1:09:23SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT,
1:09:25ANYBODY HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON WE
1:09:27HAVE A QUESTION I THINK IT'S
1:09:28SEVEN ABOUT UH ELIMINATING UH
1:09:30PARTY PRIMARIES HERE IN THE
1:09:32STATE QUESTION.
1:09:33THAT'S THREE.
1:09:33>> THOSE ARE THREE.
1:09:34SORRY I APOLOGIZE UH ANY
1:09:36THOUGHTS ON HOW THAT WOULD
1:09:38WOULD IT WOULD IMPACT
1:09:40PARTICIPATION INCREASE DECREASE
1:09:43YOUR THOUGHTS.
1:09:45NO I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THE NO
1:09:46IS I DON'T WANT TO ANSWER OR NO
1:09:48NOT.
1:09:48THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS.
1:09:50MASSACHUSETTS HASN'T TAKEN A
1:09:52POSITION.
1:09:52>> ON.
1:09:52QUESTION THREE BUT I'D BE HAPPY
1:09:54TO PROVIDE WE DID A FORUM WITH
1:09:56BOTH THE YES AND THE NO SIDES
1:09:58UM VIRTUALLY AND HAVE THAT
1:09:59RECORDING AVAILABLE FOR FOLKS
1:10:00THAT WANT TO HEAR MORE ON THE
1:10:02ARGUMENTS.
1:10:02UM.
1:10:03>> FOR THE MERITS OF THE
1:10:04QUESTION.
1:10:04OKAY.
1:10:05>> THANK YOU THANK YOU CHAIR.
1:10:06THANK YOU.
1:10:07I WILL SAY THAT A.
1:10:08LOT OF.
1:10:08>> LABOR IS.
1:10:09UM AGAINST.
1:10:10QUESTION THREE AND I KNOW THAT
1:10:11QUESTION AND I THINK.
1:10:12QUESTION THREE WHEN YOU LOOK AT
1:10:14THERE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS
1:10:15THERE'S.
1:10:16>> A LOT OF ISSUES.
1:10:17>> BUT IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
1:10:18EXPANDING DEMOCRACY.
1:10:19AND REALLY GIVING VOTERS A
1:10:20CHOICE, I THINK QUESTION THREE
1:10:22IS THE WRONG QUESTION.
1:10:23THE RIGHT QUESTION.
1:10:23IS RANKED.
1:10:24CHOICE VOTING WHICH WE.
1:10:25>> DID TAKE HERE UP HERE ON THE
1:10:26COUNCIL.
1:10:26SO JUST.
1:10:27PUTTING MY $0.02 OUT THERE.
1:10:28AND I LOVE THAT YOU RAISE
1:10:29ELECTION DAY UH ELECTION DAY
1:10:32SHOULD.
1:10:32>> BE A FEDERAL HOLIDAY.
1:10:33SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU.
1:10:34IF YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS
1:10:35COUNCILOR WE WILL DO A SECOND
1:10:36ROUND BECAUSE I HAVE MORE
1:10:37QUESTIONS.
1:10:37>> AS WELL.
1:10:38THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES
1:10:38COUNCILMEMBER HERE BECAUSE HERE
1:10:39YOU HAVE THE FLOOR AND SEVEN
1:10:40MINUTES.
1:10:41THANK YOU CHAIR AND.
1:10:41THANK YOU.
1:10:42>> FOR HOSTING THIS HEARING.
1:10:44AND UH FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT
1:10:46KNOW I ONE BY ONE VOTE SO YOU.
1:10:48KNOW.
1:10:48>> I'M GOING TO.
1:10:49>> SHOW.
1:10:49UP.
1:10:50FOR THIS HEARING BECAUSE.
1:10:51EVERY VOTE.
1:10:52LITERALLY MATTERS AND UM, THE
1:10:54MORE THAT WE CAN UH, REDUCE
1:10:56BARRIERS FOR ENGAGEMENT I AM
1:10:59ALWAYS GOING TO SHOW UP FOR
1:11:00THEM.
1:11:00I ALSO JUST I KNOW WE'RE GOING
1:11:01TO TALK.
1:11:01TO SABINO AND KERRY LATER.
1:11:03SO THESE ARE MY PEOPLE AND I'M
1:11:04REALLY EXCITED THAT WE'RE GOING
1:11:06TO BE ABLE TO BRAINSTORM
1:11:07TOGETHER ABOUT WHAT WE.
1:11:08NEED TO DO.
1:11:09UM, TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE
1:11:11APATHY, UH.
1:11:12>> THAT THAT.
1:11:13EXISTS HERE IN THE CITY
1:11:14OF BOSTON.
1:11:15BUT UM, JUST REALLY QUICK I
1:11:17HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS.
1:11:19UM.
1:11:19SO ALL OF YOUR ORGANIZATIONS
1:11:21ARE PART.
1:11:21OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ELECTION
1:11:24UM PROTECTION COALITION, RIGHT
1:11:26UM AND ARE LEADING POLL
1:11:28MONITORING EFFORTS FOR OUR
1:11:30ELECTIONS.
1:11:31UM, THAT JUST HAPPENED IN
1:11:32SEPTEMBER AND THE UPCOMING ONE
1:11:33IN NOVEMBER TO ASSIST VOTERS
1:11:35WITH ISSUES WITH BARRIERS TO
1:11:36ACCESS RECORD ISSUES,
1:11:39IRREGULARITIES SUCH AS RUNNING
1:11:40OUT OF BALLOTS OR MACHINES
1:11:42MALFUNCTIONING UM AND PROVIDING
1:11:43RAPID RESPONSE BY BEING IN
1:11:45TOUCH WITH LOCAL ELECTIONS.
1:11:47UM AND THE MASSACHUSETTS
1:11:48SECRETARY OF STATE I JUST WANT
1:11:50EVERYBODY I SAID ALL THAT YOU
1:11:52ALREADY KNOW ALL OF THAT.
1:11:53BUT UM, FOR.
1:11:53>> THOSE.
1:11:54FOLKS WHO DON'T KNOW NOW THEY
1:11:55KNOW UM AND THIS YEAR.
1:11:57UH, THERE IS AN ADDED.
1:11:59CONCERN ON THE FEDERAL UH,
1:12:01ELECTION MONITORS.
1:12:03UH, AND.
1:12:04SO FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF.
1:12:05JUSTICE, UM, WERE THERE ANY.
1:12:08ISSUES WITH FEDERAL ELECTION
1:12:10MONITORS DURING THE PRIMARY
1:12:10ELECTION?
1:12:12UM AND ARE THERE ANY CONCERNS
1:12:13ABOUT.
1:12:14>> THE GENERAL ELECTION?
1:12:14AND AND IF YOU COULD PLEASE.
1:12:16DISCUSS HOW THE FEDERAL
1:12:18ADMINISTRATION.
1:12:18>> IS IMPACTING, UH, VOTING.
1:12:20ACCESS UH OR DISENFRANCHIZING
1:12:23UM, PEOPLE.
1:12:25SO WE DID SEE DOJ MONITORS IN
1:12:29POLLING PLACES THROUGHOUT
1:12:30BOSTON, UM, AND THROUGHOUT THE
1:12:33COMMONWEALTH.
1:12:33OUR UH OUR VOLUNTEER POLL
1:12:36OBSERVERS WERE IN FOUR
1:12:37DIFFERENT CITIES I BELIEVE UM
1:12:39DURING ON THE PRIMARY DAY AND
1:12:41WE WE.
1:12:41SAW THESE DOJ MONITORS AND ALL
1:12:44OF THOSE CITIES.
1:12:46UM LUCKILY THERE WERE NOT ANY
1:12:47ANY ISSUES OF CONCERN THAT
1:12:50AROSE, UM, WHICH WAS A GOOD
1:12:51THING LOOKING TO THE GENERAL
1:12:54ELECTION, WE WE DON'T YET KNOW
1:12:56IF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
1:12:57WILL BE SENDING THEIR SO-CALLED
1:13:00POLL MONITORS TO POLLING
1:13:02PLACES.
1:13:03UM, THEY LET US KNOW.
1:13:08UM, BY US I MEAN THE PUBLIC
1:13:10THEY THEY ISSUED A PUBLIC
1:13:11STATEMENT UM, A FEW DAYS PRIOR
1:13:13TO THE PRIMARY AND IT WAS NOT
1:13:15UNTIL THE DAY BEFORE THAT THEY
1:13:17ADDED THAT THESE MONITORS WILL
1:13:18BE WOULD BE GOING TO THE UM THE
1:13:20CITY OF LOWELL AS WELL.
1:13:21SO WE WON'T NECESSARILY GET AN
1:13:24ADVANCE NOTICE ABOUT UM, THE
1:13:26DOJ'S PLANS I THINK MORE
1:13:29BROADLY SOMETHING THAT WE AT
1:13:30CIVIL AT LAWYERS FOR CIVIL
1:13:32RIGHTS UM, ARE VERY CONCERNED
1:13:33ABOUT IS THE POTENTIAL PRESENCE
1:13:37OF ARMED FEDERAL AGENTS WHETHER
1:13:38THAT'S DOJ OR FBI OR ICE NEAR
1:13:41POLLING PLACES AND UM, THE
1:13:45FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS
1:13:48INDICATED THROUGH PUBLIC
1:13:49STATEMENTS THAT THIS IS NOT
1:13:50SOMETHING THAT'S OFF THE TABLE.
1:13:52THERE'S ALSO BEEN UM RECORDS
1:13:55OF OF MEETINGS THAT THEY'VE HAD
1:13:56ABOUT HAVING AGENTS SORT
1:14:00OF TAKING CONTROL OF CERTAIN
1:14:02POLLING PLACES UM, THROUGH FOIA
1:14:05REQUESTS THROUGH IT'S BEEN UH,
1:14:09LEARNED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN
1:14:11SOME SOME POTENTIAL PLANS THAT
1:14:13THAT THAT ARE BEING FLOATED AND
1:14:15SO ALL OF THAT IS IS NOT TO
1:14:17STRIKE FEAR INTO ELIGIBLE
1:14:18VOTERS HERE.
1:14:19I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT
1:14:20THAT WE CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE
1:14:23FOLKS TO GO OUT AND VOTE
1:14:24BECAUSE THEY HAVE THAT RIGHT NO
1:14:26MATTER WHAT.
1:14:27AND THE ACTIONS OF THE FEDERAL
1:14:29GOVERNMENT IS WHAT IS UNLAWFUL
1:14:31AND IS WHAT WILL BE STOPPED
1:14:34IMMEDIATELY WHEN ORGANIZATIONS
1:14:36LIKE LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
1:14:37GET GET WIND OF WHAT'S GOING ON
1:14:39,WE ARE READY TO JUMP INTO
1:14:40ACTION BECAUSE THE PRESENCE
1:14:43OF ARMED OFFICERS IS ILLEGAL
1:14:47UNDER SO MANY DIFFERENT.
1:14:49UM PROVISIONS OF FEDERAL LAW
1:14:51STATE LAW UM SO DEFINITELY A
1:14:55CONCERN BUT WE REALLY WANT TO
1:14:56MAKE SURE THAT WE ENCOURAGE
1:14:57FOLKS TO STILL GET OUT AND
1:14:59EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT.
1:15:00OKAY GREAT.
1:15:00THANK YOU.
1:15:02UM, SO THEN UM, ONE OF THE
1:15:05CONCERNS THAT UH, PEOPLE
1:15:07SOMETIMES RAISE ABOUT THE SAME
1:15:08DAY VOTER REGISTRATION.
1:15:10IS ELECTION SECURITY.
1:15:11UM, CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN HOW
1:15:13A QUESTION FOR USE AS PROOF
1:15:14OF RESIDENCY, AN OATH TO SIGN
1:15:16AND.
1:15:16PROVISIONAL BALLOTS ADDRESSES
1:15:18THIS CONCERN OF ELECTION
1:15:20SECURITY?
1:15:22HAVE THANK YOU FOR THAT
1:15:24QUESTION.
1:15:25UM, ONE THING I ALWAYS
1:15:26UNDERLINE IS THAT IT FOLLOWS
1:15:28THE SAME STANDARDS WE REQUIRE
1:15:30UH, THE VOTER REGISTRATION AT
1:15:32ANY OTHER TIME IN ANY OTHER
1:15:34VEHICLE IN MASSACHUSETTS.
1:15:35SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE
1:15:36ALREADY KNOW AND TRUST AND.
1:15:39TO I KNOW WE KNOW THIS HERE BUT
1:15:40TO PUT IT OUT THERE AGAIN VOTER
1:15:42FRAUD IS EXCEPTIONALLY RARE IN
1:15:44THIS COUNTRY AND IN THOSE 24
1:15:46STATES THAT HAVE ELECTION DAY
1:15:48REGISTRATION, THEY HAVE NOT
1:15:50REPORTED ANY ADDITIONAL VOTER
1:15:51FRAUD CONCERNS OR ANYTHING LIKE
1:15:53THAT RELATED TO ELECTION DAY
1:15:55REGISTRATION.
1:15:56UM WE KNOW AUDIT AFTER AUDIT
1:15:58AUDIT AND STUDY AFTER STUDY
1:15:59HAVE SHOWN THAT THIS ISN'T AN
1:16:01ISSUE.
1:16:01UM, TO LOOK MORE SPECIFICALLY
1:16:03AT PROOF OF RESIDENCY UM, IT
1:16:05DOES REQUIRE YOU TO SHOW PROOF
1:16:07OF RESIDENCY.
1:16:07THAT CAN BE.
1:16:08MANY THINGS YOU COULD CHOOSE TO
1:16:10SHOW UM, YOU KNOW IN ID WE ALSO
1:16:13IN MASSACHUSETTS DO REQUIRE YOU
1:16:15TO SHOW AN I.D. THE FIRST TIME
1:16:16YOU REGISTER.
1:16:17UM, WHETHER THAT'S WHEN YOU
1:16:18REGISTER OR AT THE POLLS.
1:16:20UM, SO THAT DOES FOLLOW THAT
1:16:21SAME GUIDANCE.
1:16:23IT ALSO REQUIRES, YOU KNOW, THE
1:16:24PROOF OF RESIDENCY COULD BE
1:16:25YOUR UTILITY BILL.
1:16:26IT COULD BE FOR OUR STUDENTS
1:16:28HERE IN BOSTON.
1:16:29IT COULD BE YOUR TRANSCRIPT OR
1:16:31,UM, YOUR HOUSING ASSIGNMENT
1:16:32FOR YOUR CAMPUS.
1:16:33SO IT REQUIRES THAT SAME
1:16:35THRESHOLD THAT WE ALREADY KNOW
1:16:36AND TRUST HERE IN
1:16:37MASSACHUSETTS.
1:16:38IT'S JUST HAPPENING, UM, ON
1:16:40ELECTION DAY AT YOUR POLLING
1:16:41LOCATION.
1:16:42OKAY.
1:16:43>> KIMBERLY, MY TIME IS ALMOST
1:16:44UP.
1:16:44UM, SO THIS COUNCIL SO.
1:16:46>> THANK.
1:16:47YOU FOR THAT.
1:16:47THIS COUNCIL ALSO RECENTLY
1:16:48PASSED A RESOLUTION IN, UM IN.
1:16:50SUPPORT OF PROTECTING MAIL-IN
1:16:51VOTING.
1:16:52UM, BESIDES MAIL-IN VOTING AND
1:16:54SAME DAY VOTER REGISTRATION,
1:16:56HOW CAN WE MAKE VOTING.
1:16:58MORE ACCESSIBLE.
1:16:59AND WHAT CAN THE COUNCIL DO TO
1:17:01SUPPORT VOTING ACCESS AND
1:17:02EDUCATION?
1:17:03I MEAN THERE'S THINGS THAT WE
1:17:05COULD DO RIGHT NOW AND I'D LOVE
1:17:07TO.
1:17:07HEAR WHAT YOU THINK THOSE
1:17:08THINGS ARE.
1:17:09THAT YOU'VE SEEN.
1:17:09>> IN OTHER MUNICIPALITIES.
1:17:11I'M ALL IN FOR UM, MAKING
1:17:15VOTING UH, A HOLIDAY I.
1:17:17THINK ABOUT.
1:17:18NO BRAINER THERE, BUT WHAT.
1:17:20ELSE CAN WE BE DOING THAT YOU'D
1:17:22LIKE TO SEE US DO?
1:17:24I'D LIKE TO SEE BETTER SIGNAGE
1:17:26THOSE WHITE.
1:17:27SANDWICH BOARDS HAVE BEEN
1:17:28AROUND FOREVER AND THEY BLEND
1:17:29IN WITH THE LANDSCAPE, RIGHT?
1:17:31LIKE FLUORESCENT.
1:17:32ORANGE FLUORESCE.
1:17:33I MEAN, JUST.
1:17:34THINGS TO VISIBILITY IS
1:17:36IMPORTANT.
1:17:36SO I JUST THINK THAT THAT COULD
1:17:38HELP JUST CHANGE IT UP.
1:17:40>> A LITTLE BIT.
1:17:40YEAH.
1:17:40>> AND OUR BOSTON PUBLIC
1:17:41SCHOOLS PLAY A ROLE IN ALSO IN
1:17:43EDUCATION AND CIVICS RIGHT.
1:17:44SO WE COULD BE DOING A BETTER
1:17:46JOB AT TRAINING THE NEXT
1:17:47GENERATION OF VOTERS AS WELL.
1:17:48SO SOME.
1:17:49>> SIGNAGE, SOME PUBLIC
1:17:50EDUCATION ENGAGEMENT AND
1:17:52OUTREACH.
1:17:53>> WHAT ELSE?
1:17:53YEAH.
1:17:54>> UM TO YOUR POINT.
1:17:56I KNOW THAT COUNCILMEMBER HERE
1:17:57AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING UP
1:17:58THE SCHOOLS WHO ARE INCREDIBLE
1:17:59PARTNERS IN THIS WORK.
1:18:00UM, WE KNOW THROUGH THE WORK
1:18:02THAT THE LEAGUE DOES THAT MANY
1:18:04OF OUR LOCAL LEAGUES TRY TO DO
1:18:05NOT ONLY REGISTRATION AT
1:18:07SCHOOLS BUT ALSO THE
1:18:08PRE-REGISTRATION FOR 16 AND 17
1:18:10YEAR OLDS.
1:18:11UM AND I DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER
1:18:13WITH THIS, BUT A HUGE BARRIER
1:18:14THAT WE SEE WHEN WE'RE DOING
1:18:15THIS WORK IS STUDENTS DON'T
1:18:16KNOW THEIR INFORMATION
1:18:18TYPICALLY.
1:18:18YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY IN URBAN
1:18:20AREAS, STUDENTS DON'T HAVE A
1:18:22DRIVER'S LICENSE WITH THEM TO
1:18:23REGISTER TO VOTE.
1:18:24THEY'RE REQUIRED TO, YOU.
1:18:25KNOW.
1:18:25>> HAVE THE LAST FOR THEIR
1:18:26SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.
1:18:27TRYING TO GET THAT OUT OF A 16
1:18:29YEAR OLD IS QUITE DIFFICULT AND
1:18:31RIGHTFULLY SO.
1:18:31SCHOOLS DON'T SHARE THAT
1:18:32INFORMATION WITH VOLUNTEERS SO
1:18:34I WOULD WELCOME ANY PARTNERSHIP
1:18:36OR IDEAS EITHER WITH BOSTON
1:18:37PUBLIC SCHOOLS OR UM, HERE IN
1:18:40THESE HALLOWED HALLS TO SEE HOW
1:18:41WE COULD WORK TOGETHER TO HELP
1:18:42GET STUDENTS THAT INFORMATION
1:18:44BECAUSE WE DO RUN INTO A LOT
1:18:46OF REALLY INCREDIBLE STUDENTS
1:18:47WHO WANT TO DO THIS WORK THAT
1:18:49JUST HAVE THAT INFORMATION BUMP
1:18:51AND THEY DON'T COME BACK TO IT
1:18:53AFTER THAT.
1:18:54OH MY.
1:18:55>> FOR MY SECOND ROUND I WANT
1:18:58TO BE RESPECTFUL.
1:18:58>> UM I.
1:18:59JUST WANT TO SAY COUNSELOR, I
1:19:01LITERALLY USE THAT EXAMPLE
1:19:03WEEKLY THAT YOU ONE.
1:19:05BY ONE YOU.
1:19:06KNOW THE POSTER CHILD.
1:19:08THANK YOU.
1:19:09I'LL BE BACK FOR A SECOND
1:19:10ROUND.
1:19:11THANK YOU.
1:19:11>> AND JUST.
1:19:12JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE TRACY,
1:19:13IF.
1:19:14>> YOU HAD.
1:19:14ANYTHING THAT YOU.
1:19:15>> WANTED TO CHIME IN.
1:19:15YOU GOT TO YOU KNOW JUST.
1:19:16JUST TALK JUST TALK OVER ME.
1:19:18TALK OVER EVERYBODY.
1:19:19>> JUST WANT.
1:19:19>> TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU.
1:19:20FEEL LIKE YOU'RE.
1:19:20PART OF THE CONVERSATION.
1:19:22OH THANK YOU.
1:19:23YEAH I I WOULD AGREE WITH CELIA
1:19:26YOU KNOW THE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
1:19:28BE IN BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO
1:19:29START THIS EDUCATION EARLY,
1:19:31RIGHT TO MAKE SURE THAT
1:19:32STUDENTS UM, UNDERSTAND THEIR
1:19:36RESPONSIBILITY.
1:19:36UM, AND THE BENEFIT
1:19:39OF PARTICIPATING IN OUR
1:19:40DEMOCRACY.
1:19:41UM, SO ANY KIND OF EDUCATIONAL
1:19:43PROGRAM THAT WE COULD, YOU
1:19:45KNOW, THAT WE COULD BUILD
1:19:46WITHIN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WOULD
1:19:47BE AMAZING.
1:19:48UM, THE OTHER THING I THINK
1:19:50THAT, YOU KNOW, IN TERMS
1:19:53OF MAKING IT MORE ACCESSIBLE, I
1:19:55LOVE THE IDEA OF HAVING, YOU
1:19:57KNOW, HAVING ELECTION DAY BE UH
1:19:59,BE A HOLIDAY.
1:20:01BUT YOU KNOW, EVEN ASIDE FROM
1:20:02THAT, IS THERE A WAY THAT WE
1:20:04CAN MAKE IT SO THAT, UM, YOU
1:20:06KNOW THAT THAT STUDENTS YOUNGER
1:20:09PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS
1:20:11THEIR RESPONSIBILITY?
1:20:13I THINK HOWEVER WE CAN MAKE
1:20:14THAT HAPPEN WOULD BE AMAZING.
1:20:16UM, AND I ALSO WANT TO ECHO UM,
1:20:17SHERYL'S POINT ABOUT THE
1:20:19SIGNAGE AS I MENTIONED IN MY IN
1:20:21MY UH, TESTIMONY SIGNAGE IS A
1:20:23HUGE ISSUE, RIGHT?
1:20:25PEOPLE ARE VERY CONFUSED ABOUT
1:20:27ABOUT HOW THEY GET TO WHERE
1:20:29THEY GET TO, PARTICULARLY WHEN
1:20:31WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER
1:20:32OF I GUESS WARDS WITHIN A
1:20:35WITHIN LIKE ONE SCHOOL GYM.
1:20:36RIGHT?
1:20:37LIKE THEY'RE VERY CONFUSED
1:20:38ABOUT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE,
1:20:40WHAT THAT MEANS WHERE THEY'RE
1:20:42SUPPOSED TO BE.
1:20:43UM AND SO WE SHOULD WE SHOULD
1:20:45WORK ON WAYS AND MAKING SURE
1:20:47THAT THE SIGNAGE IS MORE, UM,
1:20:49VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE.
1:20:51AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN DO
1:20:53NOW LIKE BEFORE NOVEMBER.
1:20:55YEAH, YEAH THANK YOU TRACY.
1:20:57AND AGAIN ADMIN IS HERE AND
1:21:00WE'VE.
1:21:00>> HEARD A LOT OF.
1:21:01COMMENTS ABOUT.
1:21:01SIGNAGE SO WE'LL.
1:21:03I'M GOING TO TAKE IT.
1:21:04>> I'M.
1:21:04THE AUTHORITY THE LIBERTY TO
1:21:06SAY.
1:21:06THAT I KNOW THAT THEY'RE GOING
1:21:07TO BE WORKING ON SIGNING FOR
1:21:08THIS UPCOMING ELECTION OKAY.
1:21:10THAT UH CHAIR RECOGNIZES
1:21:12COUNCIL YOU HAVE THE FLOOR AND
1:21:13SEVEN MINUTES.
1:21:14UH THANK YOU, CHAIR.
1:21:16AND THANK YOU TO THE PARENTS
1:21:17THAT ARE HERE.
1:21:17UM, A LOT OF MY, UH, QUESTIONS
1:21:20HAVE BEEN ANSWERED ALREADY.
1:21:22UM, BUT I AM HERE FOR
1:21:24EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN
1:21:26ADVOCATED FOR.
1:21:27UM, YOU KNOW, CHERYL, YOU
1:21:28MENTIONED THE THE SIGNAGE AND I
1:21:30REMEMBER LIKE YOU DRIVE AROUND
1:21:31BOSTON AND SOMETIMES YOU SEE,
1:21:33YOU KNOW, SOMETHING CHAIN
1:21:34LINKED RIGHT TO ONE OF THESE
1:21:36LIGHT POLES AND IT'S LIKE
1:21:37HALFWAY TIPPING OVER OR UM IT'S
1:21:39NOT REALLY VISIBLE.
1:21:41SO I DO BELIEVE WE COULD BE A
1:21:43LOT MORE UM, EXCITED UM, AS A
1:21:46CITY AND ONE OF THE WAYS IS
1:21:48JUST MAKING SURE THAT THAT
1:21:49SIGHTING IS VISIBLE AND VIBRANT
1:21:51AND BRIGHT UM, BUT ALSO VERY
1:21:53MUCH IN FAVOR.
1:21:54OF.
1:21:54>> YOU KNOW, MAKING IT A
1:21:56HOLIDAY, RIGHT?
1:21:56I MEAN, WHEN YOU HAVE A DAY OFF
1:21:58YOU'RE LIKE, WHY DO I HAVE A
1:21:59DAY OFF?
1:22:00RIGHT?
1:22:00AND IT'S LIKE YOU START TO PUSH
1:22:02THAT NARRATIVE THIS IS ELECTION
1:22:03DAY.
1:22:05SO ANY ANY WAY UM THAT WE CAN
1:22:06DO IT PARTNERSHIP WITH THE
1:22:08SCHOOL I LOVE THAT IDEA.
1:22:10UM I YOU KNOW, IT'S SOMETHING
1:22:12THAT JUST SEEMS SO SEAMLESS,
1:22:13RIGHT?
1:22:14WE ALREADY HAVE A GROUP
1:22:14OF VOTERS, UM, IN THE SCHOOLS
1:22:16WHO ARE PROBABLY WAITING AND
1:22:19READY TO BE ENGAGED ON ON THIS
1:22:22TOPIC.
1:22:22SO IF YOU, UM, HAPPY TO PARTNER
1:22:25UH, WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT HIGH
1:22:27SCHOOLS, UH, INSIDE OF DISTRICT
1:22:29FOUR UM, BUT VERY SUPPORTIVE
1:22:31OF, YOU KNOW, REDUCING THE
1:22:32BARRIERS AND SUPPORTIVE OF ALL
1:22:34YOUR WORK.
1:22:34THANK YOU.
1:22:35THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
1:22:36UH, COUNCIL ORAL.
1:22:39ALL RIGHT, COUNCILOR MEJIA YOU
1:22:40CAN USE THE REST OF HIS TIME IF
1:22:42YOU WANT.
1:22:42NO, JUST JUST KIDDING.
1:22:43WE'RE GOING TO DO A SECOND.
1:22:44ROUND RIGHT NOW AND.
1:22:45>> I'LL.
1:22:45COME.
1:22:45BACK AND I'LL COME BACK IT UP
1:22:46AND BACK TO.
1:22:46YOU IF.
1:22:47>> OKAY.
1:22:48>> UM, I.
1:22:49JUST I THINK ACTUALLY ONE OF MY
1:22:52RETURN QUESTIONS IT WAS WHAT
1:22:55RIGHTS.
1:22:55INFORMATION WHAT.
1:22:56WHAT RIGHTS AND INFORMATION.
1:22:57>> TO.
1:22:57BE.
1:22:58POSTED EVERY SITE ABOUT
1:22:59ASSISTANCE ACCESSIBLE EQUIPMENT
1:23:01UM AND THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN
1:23:02LINE AT 8 P.M. IT SOUNDS.
1:23:03>> LIKE YOU ALL WILL SAY THAT.
1:23:04WE NEED MORE.
1:23:05>> OF THAT SIGNAGE.
1:23:06UM.
1:23:07>> ANYTHING SPECIFIC AT THE
1:23:08POLLING LOCATIONS THAT WE NEED
1:23:11TO DO A BETTER JOB OF.
1:23:11>> OF.
1:23:12MAKING SURE THERE'S SIGNAGE
1:23:12ABOUT.
1:23:15TRACY MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING.
1:23:18YES.
1:23:19>> EXCELLENT ACCESSIBLE
1:23:22ENTRANCES, ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCES
1:23:25UM E YEAH.
1:23:27AND AND THEN ALSO.
1:23:29TRACY YOU UPLIFTED.
1:23:30>> THE HEAD YOU UP TO UPLIFTED
1:23:31THAT HIGGINS AND LEWIS AND
1:23:33ROXBURY FROM THIS PRIMARY RIGHT
1:23:35SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE SAW
1:23:36YES YOU WEEKS AGO OKAY.
1:23:37>> YEAH.
1:23:38YES YES.
1:23:40UM YOU KNOW AND AND IT ALSO
1:23:42NEEDS TO BE WHEN I SAY
1:23:43ACCESSIBLE IT ISN'T JUST
1:23:45WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY UM
1:23:47BECAUSE THE ACCESSIBILITY LOOKS
1:23:49DIFFERENT FOR SOMEONE IN A
1:23:51WHEELCHAIR VERSUS SOMEONE WITH
1:23:52A WALKER OR A CANE.
1:23:54RIGHT.
1:23:55SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I
1:23:56ENCOUNTERED, UM, YOU KNOW, ONCE
1:24:01WE COULD ONCE WE FIGURED OUT
1:24:02LIKE THE THE AUTOMATIC DOOR
1:24:04SITUATION.
1:24:04RIGHT.
1:24:05THAT WAS FINE.
1:24:06THERE WAS A RAMP YOU COULD GET
1:24:07THROUGH THE AUTOMATIC DOOR.
1:24:09UM, BUT THEN YOU HAD TO
1:24:10LITERALLY GO ABOUT THE LENGTH
1:24:12OF A FOOTBALL FIELD BEFORE YOU
1:24:13GOT TO THE ELEVATOR THAT WAS
1:24:15THEN GOING TO TAKE YOU UP SO
1:24:17THAT DISTANCE WORKS FINE FOR
1:24:19SOMEONE IN IN A WHEELCHAIR THAT
1:24:21MIGHT NOT WORK WELL FOR SOMEONE
1:24:23WHO HAS TO WALK THAT DISTANCE
1:24:24AND HAS YOU KNOW, MOBILITY
1:24:26CHALLENGES.
1:24:27RIGHT?
1:24:28SO WE NEED TO LOOK AT IT
1:24:29THROUGH A VARIETY
1:24:30OF ACCESSIBILITY LENSES.
1:24:32UM AND AND THAT'S IMPORTANT AS
1:24:34WELL.
1:24:35THANK YOU TRACY.
1:24:38UM.
1:24:39UH WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR
1:24:41EDUCATING VOTERS.
1:24:42ABOUT THE.
1:24:43COMPLEXITY OF.
1:24:45UH, THE QUESTION.
1:24:46NOT THEY'RE NOT COMPLEX BUT
1:24:48THERE ARE NINE QUESTIONS.
1:24:49>> ON.
1:24:50THE BALLOT.
1:24:50UM, AND SO WHAT IS A PLAN.
1:24:52>> TO.
1:24:53EDUCATE VOTERS I WILL NEVER
1:24:54FORGET.
1:24:56ON ELECTION DAY IN 2020.
1:24:59WITH, UH.
1:25:00>> RANKED CHOICE VOTING
1:25:01STATEWIDE.
1:25:02BEFORE I WAS ELECTED MYSELF
1:25:04RANKED CHOICE.
1:25:04VOTING WAS ON.
1:25:05>> THE.
1:25:06BALLOT STATEWIDE.
1:25:07AND I REMEMBER TALKING.
1:25:08TO VOTERS.
1:25:08>> WHO.
1:25:09CAME OUT.
1:25:10OF UH, THE.
1:25:11POLLING LOCATIONS AND.
1:25:12>> SAID THAT THEY VOTED NO ON
1:25:13IT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T
1:25:14UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION AND
1:25:16LIKE I WANTED TO TEAR MY HAIR
1:25:17OUT BECAUSE I'M LIKE WE COULD
1:25:18HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB OF VOTER
1:25:20EDUCATION, BUT HOW ARE WE
1:25:22EXPLAINING TO PEOPLE IN SIMPLE
1:25:24TERMS WHAT ARE THE NINE
1:25:25QUESTIONS AND WHAT THEY WOULD
1:25:27MEAN FOR PEOPLE?
1:25:29YEAH I KNOW WE ALL HAVE.
1:25:31SOMETHING TO SAY HERE BUT I CAN
1:25:32SEE.
1:25:33A REAL QUICK UM.
1:25:34UH JUST.
1:25:35>> A PLUG FOR THE LEAGUE HAS
1:25:36BEEN WORKING ON EDUCATING EVEN
1:25:38JUST THROUGH THE BALLOT
1:25:39PROCESS.
1:25:40I THINK THIS HERE HIGHLIGHTED
1:25:41QUITE A BIT ABOUT BALLOT
1:25:43QUESTIONS WHAT WE LOVE, WHAT
1:25:44PEOPLE WANT TO WORK ON THAT
1:25:45KIND OF THING.
1:25:46SO WE'VE BEEN WORKING FOR ABOUT
1:25:47A YEAR NOW ON UM EDUCATING
1:25:49VOTERS ON ALL THE PROPOSALS
1:25:51THEN.
1:25:52ALL THE QUESTIONS NOW AND NOW
1:25:53INTO WHAT OUR ADVOCACY IS.
1:25:55UM, THE NUMBER ONE TOOL I
1:25:57RECOMMEND FOR VOTERS AND WHAT
1:25:58WE HAVE BEEN REALLY PUSHING IS
1:25:59OUR VOTE FOR ON 1.ORG ONLINE
1:26:01TOOL.
1:26:01WE PUT IT IN SIMPLE TERMS FOR
1:26:03THE BALLOT QUESTIONS.
1:26:05UM THIS IS ALSO SEPARATE FROM
1:26:06OUR ADVOCACY WORK VOTE FOUR ON
1:26:07ONE SO WE DON'T PROVIDE YOU
1:26:09KNOW WHICH QUESTION WE'RE
1:26:11SUPPORTING.
1:26:11UM IT'S JUST THE PLAIN LANGUAGE
1:26:13INFORMATION ON A YES AND A NO
1:26:15VOTE UM.
1:26:16>> VOTE.
1:26:16FOR A RUN ALSO ALLOWS VOTERS ON
1:26:18ELECTION DAY TO HAVE UM THEY
1:26:20CAN TOGGLE ON THEIR PHONE SO
1:26:22THEY CAN, YOU KNOW, SAVE A
1:26:23QUESTION, SAVE A YES VOTE, SAVE
1:26:25A NO VOTE AND BE ABLE TO REFER
1:26:26BACK TO IT IN AN EASY AND
1:26:28ACCESSIBLE WAY AT THE BALLOT
1:26:29BOX AS WELL.
1:26:30WE KEEP IT RUNNING UP UNTIL THE
1:26:32A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER THE
1:26:34ELECTION.
1:26:34SO THERE'S NO WAY THAT VOTERS
1:26:36WOULD, YOU KNOW, SHOW UP AT THE
1:26:38POLLING LOCATION AT 755.
1:26:39AND NOT.
1:26:40>> HAVE ACCESS TO THAT
1:26:41INFORMATION.
1:26:42UM, WE'VE ALSO BEEN DOING OUR
1:26:43BALLOT QUESTION FORUMS ACROSS
1:26:45THE STATE WITH OUR LOCAL
1:26:47LEAGUES.
1:26:47UM, I KNOW HERE WE HAVE BEEN
1:26:49FOCUSING A BIT MORE ON ZOOM
1:26:51JUST BECAUSE OF THE INTEREST
1:26:52IN.
1:26:53>> UH, THESE.
1:26:53UH, QUESTIONS AND AND HOW HIGH
1:26:55PROFILE THEY ARE.
1:26:56BUT THAT WOULD BE OUR RESPONSE
1:26:58AND HOW WE'RE WORKING ON THAT.
1:27:00UM, AND REFERRING PEOPLE
1:27:01CONTINUALLY TO THE RED BOOK
1:27:02THIS YEAR UM, AS LONG AS IT MAY
1:27:04BE UM BECAUSE OF THE GREAT
1:27:06INFORMATION.
1:27:06WITHIN IT.
1:27:07>> THANK YOU.
1:27:07THIS WILL BE MY LAST QUESTION
1:27:08BECAUSE I WAS.
1:27:09>> GOING TO GET.
1:27:10OH OH.
1:27:10GO AHEAD SHARE MY BAD I'M
1:27:11SORRY.
1:27:12NO BECAUSE I'M SO EXCITED.
1:27:13YES BECAUSE YOU'VE.
1:27:14>> BEEN.
1:27:14WORKING ON THIS IS YOUR BABY.
1:27:16FRESH HOT.
1:27:17>> OFF THE PRESS WE.
1:27:18CREATED A BOOKMARK SO IT'S
1:27:20SKINNY RIGHT?
1:27:21AND IT HAS THE NINE QUESTIONS
1:27:23FIVE ON THE.
1:27:23FRONT.
1:27:24>> FOUR ON THE BACK AND IT.
1:27:25HAS THE QUESTION AND IT SAYS
1:27:28YES NO.
1:27:29AND WHAT WE'RE HOPING TO DO IS
1:27:32TO GIVE IT OUT EVERYWHERE
1:27:33MOVING FORWARD AT ALL OF OUR
1:27:35EVENTS TABLING EVENTS THE FORM
1:27:38AND.
1:27:38ASK EVERYBODY TO.
1:27:39MAKE THAT DECISION BEFORE AND
1:27:41TAKE THIS BOOKMARK WITH YOU,
1:27:43UM.
1:27:44TO THE POLLING LOCATION.
1:27:45>> NO ONE IS GOING TO SIT UP
1:27:46THERE AND.
1:27:46READ THAT RED BOOK, UM COVER TO
1:27:49COVER AND UNDERSTAND IT.
1:27:51UH, AND.
1:27:52THEN REMEMBER THEN DEFINITELY
1:27:53NOT GOING TO GO INTO THE
1:27:55POLLING LOCATION YOU HAND THEM
1:27:56I.
1:27:56ANTICIPATE THE BALLOTS GOING TO
1:27:58BE ABOUT FIVE AT MINIMUM SEVEN
1:28:00PAGES.
1:28:00HOW MANY PAGES?
1:28:01ONLY THREE.
1:28:03COMMISSIONERS INQUIRY.
1:28:04WELL I'M JUST THINKING NINE
1:28:06QUESTIONS BUT ANYWAY UM BUT
1:28:09ASKING PEOPLE TO FLIP FLIP FLIP
1:28:11KNOW WOULD KNOW WE ALWAYS ASK
1:28:13PEOPLE TO MAKE A.
1:28:14>> PLAN.
1:28:15BEFORE YOU.
1:28:15HOW ARE YOU GOING TO VOTE NOW
1:28:16WE'RE ASKING YOU TO MAKE.
1:28:17>> SURE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND
1:28:18WHAT'S ON THE BALLOT BEFORE YOU
1:28:20WALK IN THERE.
1:28:21THOSE NINE BALLOT QUESTIONS CAN
1:28:23BE YOU KNOW, OH COME SOON.
1:28:25AND SO YES THANK YOU THAT'S
1:28:27GREAT AND I LOVE I HOPE THAT
1:28:29BOOKMARK GETS PROMOTED.
1:28:30AND I ALSO HOPE THAT I KNOW
1:28:32THAT YOU MIGHT VOTE IS
1:28:33NONPARTISAN BUT I HOPE THAT WE
1:28:34ARE YOU KNOW GIVING PEOPLE LIKE
1:28:36YES ON QUESTION FOUR NO ONE
1:28:38QUESTION THREE THAT WE ARE
1:28:39GIVING UH I KNOW THAT YOU ARE
1:28:41SAYING THAT.
1:28:41>> AND.
1:28:42SAYING THAT THOSE ARE THE
1:28:42POSITIONS THAT YOU KNOW, I'M
1:28:44PREPARED TO TAKE THAT WE ARE
1:28:45ALSO SHARING THAT INFORMATION
1:28:46WITH OTHERS.
1:28:47UM, OKAY.
1:28:48I'M GOING TO UH
1:28:51COUNCIL COUNCILPERSON BREADON,
1:28:52YOU HAVE THE FLOOR AND FIVE
1:28:53MINUTES FOR ANY ADDITIONAL
1:28:54QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
1:28:55UM, I THINK THE BALLOT THE
1:28:59BALANCE, THE THE THE BALLOT
1:29:02CHALLENGE CAUSED HICCUPS IN THE
1:29:04POLLING PROCESS THE LAST TIME.
1:29:06SO MULTIPLE SHEETS I THINK UM I
1:29:09THINK IT'S A QUESTION OF MAYBE
1:29:10POLLING WORKERS NO 1 TO 1 PAGE
1:29:13AT A TIME AND PUT THEM IN
1:29:14SLOWLY AND DON'T PUT THEM FEED
1:29:16THEM ALL IN TOGETHER LIKE COULD
1:29:18GET CHEWED UP.
1:29:19AND THEN IT'S IT SCREWS UP THE
1:29:20WHOLE PROCESS.
1:29:22BUT UM IN TERMS OF THINKING
1:29:26ABOUT UM.
1:29:28THE BALLOT THE BALLOT QUESTIONS
1:29:32PEOPLE JUST SKIP THOSE BECAUSE
1:29:34IT'S JUST TOO HARD TO THINK
1:29:35ABOUT OR UM AND THEN OR TO THE
1:29:38I DON'T WANT THEM TO THROW THE
1:29:39BABY OUT WITH THE BATHWATER AND
1:29:41DECIDE OH THIS IS JUST TOO MUCH
1:29:42I'M NOT EVEN GOING TO BOTHER
1:29:44VOTING.
1:29:44IS THAT WHAT'S YOUR EXPERIENCE
1:29:45WITH UM YEAH.
1:29:46THAT'S WHAT I AND THAT'S WHAT.
1:29:48>> I BELIEVE IN.
1:29:49>> THE WRITING IS SMALL THE.
1:29:50WRITING IN.
1:29:51ESPECIALLY FINDING OUT.
1:29:53>> THAT YOU'RE GOING TO PUT
1:29:54NINE BALLOT QUESTIONS ON THREE
1:29:55PAGES AND I KNOW THE WRITING IS
1:29:57GOING TO BE SMALL NOW.
1:29:58RIGHT.
1:29:59WE NEED TO MAKE IT LARGER.
1:30:00BUT UM.
1:30:03I THINK PEOPLE GET DISCOURAGED
1:30:05BUT BUT.
1:30:06>> THE POINT I WANT TO BRING.
1:30:07>> UP HERE IN THIS MOMENT IS I
1:30:09REMEMBER TWO YEARS AGO WE HAD
1:30:11MAYBE 2 OR 3 BALLOT TWO BALLOT
1:30:12QUESTIONS BUT IT WAS TWO PAGES
1:30:14TO THE BALLOT AND I.
1:30:16REMEMBER IN.
1:30:17>> ROXBURY THEY WERE ONLY GIVEN
1:30:18OUT ONE PAGE.
1:30:19THEY WEREN'T GIVING OUT TWO
1:30:21PAGES.
1:30:21MANY OF.
1:30:22>> THOSE BALLOT.
1:30:22QUESTIONS DID NOT GET APPROVED
1:30:24OR VOTED ON BECAUSE THEY DID
1:30:25NOT HAVE TWO PAGES.
1:30:27I WANT TO MAKE SURE.
1:30:28THIS YEAR IF HOWEVER MANY PAGES
1:30:30IT IS THAT EVERY PRECINCT HAS
1:30:33ALL THE PAGES AND THAT THE
1:30:35TRAINERS THE POLL WORKERS YOU
1:30:37KNOW ARE TRAINED TO MAKE SURE
1:30:39THAT THESE PACKAGES ARE GETTING
1:30:41IN EVERYONE'S HAND NOT
1:30:43PARTIALLY.
1:30:43IT'S NOT FAIR TO THE BALLOT
1:30:45QUESTIONS THAT ARE ON THE BACK.
1:30:46IF THE LAST PAGE IS NOT EVEN
1:30:48GIVEN TO THE VOTER.
1:30:51>> THE OTHER QUESTION HOW MANY
1:30:52DO YOU WANT THEM TO UNDERSTAND
1:30:53YEAH I WOULD.
1:30:54JUST ADD THAT YOU.
1:30:55KNOW, FOR US PART OF THE
1:30:57EDUCATION WITH THE BALLOT
1:30:58QUESTIONS AS WELL AS NOT ONLY,
1:30:59YOU KNOW, THE APATHY OR THE
1:31:01CONFUSION THAT HAVING SO MANY
1:31:03QUESTIONS HAS BUT ALSO JUST THE
1:31:04SIMPLY TURN OVER YOUR BALLOT
1:31:07CHECK THAT NEXT PAGE FOR VOTERS
1:31:09UM, SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT
1:31:10YOU KNOW, WE LOOK TO WORK IN
1:31:11PARTNERSHIP WITH ADMINISTRATORS
1:31:13AND POLL WORKERS ON IN OUR
1:31:14EDUCATION OF JUST REMINDING
1:31:16VOTERS THAT THERE IS MORE THAN
1:31:17THE CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT.
1:31:18AND THAT THEY.
1:31:19>> DO HAVE.
1:31:19>> TO CHECK THOSE ADDITIONAL
1:31:20PAGES FOR THAT A.
1:31:22>> NO LIVE ISSUE.
1:31:22I'LL PROBABLY ASK THIS QUESTION
1:31:23OF OUR OUR ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT
1:31:25FOLKS WHEN THEY COME, BUT HOW
1:31:27DO WE MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE
1:31:28ENOUGH UM, ELECTION POLL
1:31:32WORKERS IN AN ELECTION DAY?
1:31:33BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IT'S AN
1:31:35ONEROUS COMMITMENT.
1:31:36YOU HAVE TO BE THERE VERY EARLY
1:31:37IN THE MORNING AND YOU'RE
1:31:38WORKING LATE INTO THE EVENING.
1:31:39IT'S NOT VERY WELL COMPENSATED
1:31:41BUT IT IS LIKE A CIVIC DUTY.
1:31:43PEOPLE TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY.
1:31:45HOW DO WE RECRUIT MORE PEOPLE
1:31:47AND GET MORE PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY
1:31:48OUR YOUNGER PEOPLE ENGAGED IN
1:31:49THIS PROCESS AND.
1:31:52WE'VE SEEN SO AT THE LEAGUE WE
1:31:54DO AN EXTENSIVE POLL WORKER
1:31:55RECRUITMENT.
1:31:56UM WE KNOW POLL WORKERS ARE
1:31:57SOME OF THE LIFEBLOOD OF OUR
1:31:59ELECTIONS.
1:32:00UM WHAT WE'VE.
1:32:01SEEN HELP INCENTIVIZE YOUNGER
1:32:03PEOPLE IS THAT VOLUNTEER HOURS
1:32:05COULD THIS GO TOWARDS THEIR
1:32:06NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
1:32:07REQUIREMENT?
1:32:07COULD THIS GO TOWARDS, YOU
1:32:09KNOW, A RESUME AND GIVING THEM
1:32:11THE INFORMATION THAT HELPS WITH
1:32:12THAT?
1:32:13WE TELL EVERY YOUNG PERSON THAT
1:32:14COMES TO US AND SAYS I'M GOING
1:32:16TO BE A POLL WORKER TO COME
1:32:17BACK TO US AFTER ELECTION DAY
1:32:18TO GET THE LANGUAGE ON HOW TO
1:32:20REFLECT THAT IN COLLEGE
1:32:21APPLICATIONS IN THEIR RESUMES
1:32:22AND THAT KIND OF WORK.
1:32:24SO FOR YOUNG PEOPLE I THINK
1:32:25IT'S KIND OF EMPHASIZING WHAT
1:32:27BEING A POLL WORKER MEANS AND
1:32:28HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS AND HOW
1:32:30ADMITTEDLY GREAT THAT LOOKS FOR
1:32:32THEM UM, AS BEING THAT
1:32:33INVOLVED.
1:32:33BUT AS FAR AS UM, OTHER PEOPLE
1:32:36BECAUSE I THINK UNDERSTANDING
1:32:37UM FOR THOSE THAT YOU KNOW,
1:32:39HAVE BEEN VOTING WHAT THE ROLE
1:32:40OF A POLL WORKER IS UM, AND WHY
1:32:42THAT'S SO IMPORTANT, YOU KNOW,
1:32:44WE ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE IT'S
1:32:45THEIR CIVIC DUTY, BUT THE.
1:32:47FUNCTION OF A POLL WORKER CAN
1:32:48SOMETIMES BE A MYSTERY TO.
1:32:49UM, CONSTITUENTS.
1:32:51SO I WOULD POINT TO JUST
1:32:52FURTHER EDUCATION AND KIND
1:32:53OF LIKE THE DUTIES AND
1:32:54RESPONSIBILITIES HOW LONG OUR
1:32:56SHIFTS, YOU KNOW WHAT IS THE
1:32:58COMPENSATION AND SAYING THAT
1:32:58PLAINLY IF IT'S VOLUNTEERISM OR
1:33:02WHAT CAN THAT GO TOWARDS KIND
1:33:03OF THING JUST PROVIDING THAT
1:33:04SORT OF VALUE ADDED TO THE UM
1:33:06VOLUNTEER CHOOSING TO DO THAT
1:33:07WORK.
1:33:08I ALSO THINK UM I'D LOVE TO
1:33:09HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS ON CIVICS
1:33:10EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS.
1:33:12I KNOW WHEN I WAS A KIDDO UM
1:33:14OUR SCHOOL CLOSED FOR ELECTION
1:33:15DAY AND ALL THE GEAR ARRIVED
1:33:17AND OUR PRINCIPALS WE WERE
1:33:20REALLY TINY COUNTRY SCHOOL BUT
1:33:22WE ACTUALLY ENACTED WHAT WAS
1:33:24GOING TO HAPPEN THE NEXT DAY
1:33:25FOR THE BIG FOR THE ADULTS.
1:33:27BUT WE HAD A LITTLE ELECTION
1:33:29AND EXPLAINED WHAT WHAT VOTING
1:33:31WAS ALL ABOUT.
1:33:32BUT HOW DO WE HOW DO WE IMPROVE
1:33:34OUR CIVICS EDUCATION?
1:33:35AND BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S A
1:33:37BIG BIG ISSUE AS WELL.
1:33:39LIKE WHAT HOW DO WE HOW DO WE
1:33:41GET INCREASE VOTER
1:33:42PARTICIPATION THROUGH STARTING
1:33:44GET THEM EARLY.
1:33:46THAT'S WHERE I WAS GOING TO GO
1:33:48WITH TRACY STARTING WITH THAT
1:33:49WE HAVE TO START EARLIER AND
1:33:50MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE FAMILIAR
1:33:52WITH THE PROCESS.
1:33:53THE OTHER POINT I WANTED TO
1:33:55BRING THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT IS
1:33:56PARTNERING WITH COLLEGES I KNOW
1:33:57SUFFOLK VOTES, WE PARTNERED
1:33:59WITH SOMETHING VOTES ON THEIR
1:34:01ACTIVITIES TO TURN OUT THE
1:34:03STUDENTS IN AT SUFFOLK, BUT
1:34:05THEY WERE PART OF A MUCH LARGER
1:34:08UM PROCESS RIGHT?
1:34:09THEY OF THE COLLEGES BUT REALLY
1:34:11HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK
1:34:12WITH THOSE STUDENTS ABOUT TO
1:34:14YOUR POINT HOW IT IMPACTS THEIR
1:34:17LIFE RIGHT AND HOW MUCH FUN IT
1:34:18CAN BE BECAUSE IT REALLY IS FUN
1:34:20ON ELECTION DAY TO BE ENGAGED,
1:34:21CIVICALLY ENGAGED AND IT'S
1:34:23MEANINGFUL.
1:34:23BUT I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE
1:34:25PARTNER WITH COLLEGES.
1:34:27I THINK THAT'S GOOD.
1:34:28THAT'S A.
1:34:28MAKING IT A SOCIAL.
1:34:30EVENT AND YOU KNOW, LET'S GO
1:34:32FOR COFFEE OR GO FOR A BEER OR
1:34:33WHATEVER IT IS, UM, TO MAKE IT
1:34:35A SOCIAL EVENT THAT YOU.
1:34:37DO AS.
1:34:37>> A GROUP.
1:34:39UM YEAH.
1:34:39THANK YOU.
1:34:40THANK YOU.
1:34:41>> OH YEAH.
1:34:42>> THE ACLU.
1:34:42DOES A NUMBER OF, UM, CIVIC
1:34:44EDUCATION SCHOOLS AROUND THE
1:34:46COMMONWEALTH.
1:34:46UM, OUR TARGET AUDIENCE IS AT
1:34:49IS YOU KNOW, IS ADULTS.
1:34:51BUT I COULD ABSOLUTELY SEE HOW
1:34:53THIS COULD BE SOMETHING THAT
1:34:54COULD BE, YOU KNOW, PUT INTO
1:34:55SCHOOLS.
1:34:56UM, YOU KNOW, IF THE SCHOOLS
1:34:57ARE INTERESTED IN IN IT IN IT
1:34:59AND I DO YEAH, I I COMPLETELY
1:35:02BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO START
1:35:03THIS PROCESS EARLIER.
1:35:05RIGHT.
1:35:06STUDENTS NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHY
1:35:07THIS IS IMPORTANT.
1:35:10UM, AND I, I, I LOVE THE IDEA
1:35:12OF OF GETTING STUDENTS TO
1:35:14UNDERSTAND THAT POLL BEING A
1:35:16POLL WORKER COULD BE TO THEIR
1:35:18BENEFIT AS WELL AS DOING GOOD
1:35:20IN THE COMMUNITY.
1:35:21RIGHT.
1:35:23SO YEAH, I THINK THERE ARE A
1:35:24NUMBER OF WAYS THAT WE CAN
1:35:25APPROACH IT.
1:35:26THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR.
1:35:28THANK YOU.
1:35:29THANK YOU SO MUCH.
1:35:30UH, COUNCIL PRESIDENT BRANDON,
1:35:31THANK YOU TO THIS PANEL, UH,
1:35:32THE.
1:35:32TRACK AND.
1:35:33>> AS A COUNCIL MEMBER YOU HAVE
1:35:34FIVE MINUTES.
1:35:35THANK YOU.
1:35:36>> UM, I WILL SAY, UH, THE
1:35:38AROUND THE PRESIDENTIAL
1:35:39ELECTION 2024, I WENT OUT WITH
1:35:41A GROUP OF FIFTH GRADERS AT THE
1:35:43B2 SCHOOL.
1:35:44I RECREATED SOMETHING THAT I
1:35:46REMEMBER FROM BEING A FIFTH
1:35:47GRADER AND WE WE RAN THROUGH
1:35:48THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND WE
1:35:50DID A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
1:35:52WHEN I WAS IN FIFTH GRADE IT
1:35:54WAS MONDALE REAGAN BUT UH BUT
1:35:57AND I WE DIDN'T DO TRUMP HARRIS
1:35:59BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WOULD JUST
1:36:00BE A LANDSLIDE.
1:36:01SO WE DID MICHAEL JACKSON
1:36:02VERSUS TAYLOR SWIFT AND MICHAEL
1:36:04JACKSON WON THE POPULAR VOTE,
1:36:06BUT TAYLOR SWIFT WON THE
1:36:07ELECTORAL COLLEGE BECAUSE SHE
1:36:08HAD CALIFORNIA AND FLORIDA.
1:36:10BUT UM UH BUT I MEAN THAT STUCK
1:36:12WITH ME FOR A LOT OF YEARS.
1:36:14UH, AND I HOPEFULLY THOSE KIDS
1:36:17UH, YOU KNOW, REMEMBER THAT
1:36:18KIND OF EXPERIENCE.
1:36:20I THINK WE CAN DO A LOT IN THE
1:36:21SCHOOLS AROUND THAT.
1:36:23THANK YOU TO TRACY BILLY AT THE
1:36:24SCHOOLS LIBRARIAN THERE FOR FOR
1:36:26DOING THAT WITH ME.
1:36:27UM, OKAY, SO NUMBER ONE I GUESS
1:36:29MAYBE THIS IS FOR FOR UH, TRACY
1:36:31UP THERE FOR.
1:36:32ADA COMPLIANCE.
1:36:34UM, DO WE HAVE LIKE UH UH ALL
1:36:37THE POLLING PLACES AUDITED OR
1:36:39DO YOU HAVE OR IS THIS JUST
1:36:40LIKE YOU YOU'VE BEEN TO A FEW
1:36:42AND YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT
1:36:43PROBLEMS?
1:36:44DO WE HAVE A SENSE OF LIKE IF
1:36:45WE HAD TO GRADE ALL THE
1:36:47LOCATIONS, HAVE WE HAD THEM
1:36:49VISITED AND SIGNED OFF ON OR
1:36:51NOT?
1:36:52>> IT'S FUNNY YOU SHOULD
1:36:52MENTION THAT.
1:36:53SO, UH, THE ELECTION
1:36:55MODERNIZATION COALITION HAS A
1:36:57BILL UM, THAT THAT IS ASKING
1:37:00THAT THE POLLING PLACES BE
1:37:02AUDITED ON A REGULAR BASIS.
1:37:04UM, MAYBE CELIA CAN LOOK THAT
1:37:07ONE UP TOO, BUT UM YEAH, WE YOU
1:37:11KNOW, THE IDEA IS THAT A
1:37:13REGULAR AUDIT OF THE POLLING
1:37:15PLACES AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH
1:37:16WOULD ALERT US TO THESE ISSUES
1:37:18AND PROBLEMS, UM, AHEAD OF TIME
1:37:20AS OPPOSED TO US FINDING
1:37:21FINDING OUT ABOUT THESE
1:37:22SITUATIONS THE DAY OF I MEAN,
1:37:24SOME OF THE OTHER ISSUES THAT,
1:37:27UM, I WAS BASED IN LAWRENCE UM
1:37:30PRIMARY DAY UM, AND WE HAD
1:37:33OTHER FOLKS YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY
1:37:34AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH BUT
1:37:35SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE RAN
1:37:37INTO COULD HAVE BEEN REMEDIED.
1:37:39UM, YOU KNOW, HAD WE HAD WE
1:37:40JUST HAD A LITTLE BIT OF NOTICE
1:37:42ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE FOUND
1:37:44OUT UM, IN A COUPLE OF PLACES
1:37:45BECAUSE WE USE SCHOOL
1:37:47BUILDINGS, UM, WE RAN INTO
1:37:50SITUATIONS WHERE SCHOOL STAFF
1:37:53WERE LEAVING AT 3:00 AND SO
1:37:57DOORS WERE THEN LOCKED BECAUSE
1:38:01SCHOOL STAFF WAS NOT THERE TO
1:38:03KEEP THEM OPEN.
1:38:05UM, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE
1:38:07COULD IDENTIFY AHEAD OF TIME
1:38:09RECOGNIZING THE SCHEDULING THAT
1:38:11EXISTS IN, YOU KNOW, IN OUR
1:38:13SCHOOLS.
1:38:13UM, SO THAT'S JUST ONE EXAMPLE
1:38:16BUT YES, BUT THE IDEA
1:38:18OF AUDITING POLLING PLACES HAS
1:38:21IS OUT THERE.
1:38:22WE HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR
1:38:23THAT.
1:38:24UM, IT JUST HAS NOT.
1:38:27GONE THE WAY WE.
1:38:28>> HAD.
1:38:28HOPED FOR.
1:38:29OKAY.
1:38:30>> UM UH THEN SO IN TERMS
1:38:33OF LIKE FEDERAL OFFICIALS
1:38:34SHOWING UP AT POLLING STATIONS
1:38:36IS CAN YOU JUST EXPLAIN LIKE
1:38:38WHAT WAS THE REAL REASON WHY
1:38:40THEY WERE HERE DURING THE
1:38:42DURING THE PRIMARIES AND THEN
1:38:44DO YOU EXPECT THIS TO CONTINUE
1:38:47SO UM, THERE'S BEEN A HISTORY
1:38:49AND I BELIEVE RACE ON HALL SORT
1:38:51OF WAS ALLUDING TO THIS OF OF
1:38:53DOJ SENDING OBSERVERS UM OR
1:38:57POLL MONITORS TO POLLING PLACES
1:38:59TO CHECK IN PARTICULARLY ABOUT
1:39:01LANGUAGE ACCESS.
1:39:02SO UNDER THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT
1:39:03THERE ARE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS
1:39:05ABOUT UM DIFFERENT TYPES
1:39:07OF LANGUAGE ACCESS UH OR
1:39:10DIFFERENT TYPES OF LANGUAGE
1:39:11ACCESSIBILITY AND.
1:39:15UM THAT IS SORT OF THE GUISE
1:39:17UNDER WHICH THEY WERE
1:39:20PURPORTING TO TO SEND MONITORS
1:39:23TO POLLING PLACES, UM, IN
1:39:25SELECT STATES AND SELECT
1:39:27CITIES.
1:39:28UM DURING THE PRIMARY.
1:39:30OKAY.
1:39:32>> UH, DO THEY CARE ABOUT ALL
1:39:34LANGUAGE I ACCESS?
1:39:35I GUESS I'M JUST YOU KNOW, I
1:39:37KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENED WITH THE
1:39:38REFUGEE PROGRAM WHERE NOW ALL
1:39:39OF A SUDDEN ALL WE CARE ABOUT
1:39:40ARE WHITE SOUTH AFRICANS AND,
1:39:42UH, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE ONLY
1:39:43PEOPLE BEING ADMITTED.
1:39:44BUT, UH.
1:39:46SO THERE'S THERE'S AND I DON'T
1:39:47HAVE THE NUMBER OFF THE TOP
1:39:49OF MY HEAD BUT THERE ARE
1:39:50CERTAIN NUMBER OF LANGUAGES, UM
1:39:52,THAT ARE RECOGNIZED AS THAT
1:39:54ARE RECOGNIZED UNDER THE VOTING
1:39:56RIGHTS ACT.
1:39:56AND THEN IN CERTAIN
1:39:59MUNICIPALITIES IT DEPENDS ON
1:40:00SORT OF THE THE POPULATION
1:40:03OF FOLKS THAT SPEAK THOSE
1:40:04LANGUAGES.
1:40:06UM, SO IT DIFFERS BASED ON YOU
1:40:08KNOW, A TOWN OR A CITY LIKE
1:40:09BOSTON WOULD HAVE DIFFERENT
1:40:11LANGUAGES THAN MAYBE WORCESTER
1:40:14UM.
1:40:17YEAH.
1:40:17>> OKAY.
1:40:17AND THEN.
1:40:18>> JUST IN TERMS OF THE UH THE
1:40:20PRACTICE OF PUTTING PEOPLE ON
1:40:21AN ACTIVE STATUS, UH, SO IS
1:40:24THERE A POLICY REASON TO KEEP
1:40:27THAT LIKE YOU KNOW, IS THERE A
1:40:30GOOD POLICY REASON FOR THAT OR
1:40:31JUST YOU?
1:40:32I THINK.
1:40:33I CAN SPEAK FOR ALL OF US THAT
1:40:34THE ANSWER TO THAT IS NO.
1:40:36OKAY.
1:40:37>> UH AND UM I GUESS MAYBE PART
1:40:42OF THAT IS ALSO I KNOW THERE'S
1:40:44PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CENSUS
1:40:46PROCESS.
1:40:47THERE'S BEEN ATTEMPTS TO GET
1:40:48IMMIGRATION STATUS PUT ON THE
1:40:50CENSUS.
1:40:50I THINK COUNCILOR BRADEN'S
1:40:52ESSENTIALLY UH, TALKING ABOUT
1:40:54SOME OF THAT PEOPLE DON'T WANT
1:40:56TO RETURN THEIR CENSUS SO THAT
1:40:58THAT MIGHT BE ANOTHER REASON TO
1:40:59MAKE SURE BY 2030 WE'RE NOT
1:41:01STILL RELYING ON THAT IN I TO
1:41:03HAVE THAT CORRECT.
1:41:05UM, YEAH.
1:41:06>> WE COULD GO DOWN.
1:41:07>> THE THERE'S A LAUNDRY LIST
1:41:08OF, YOU KNOW, REASONS TO UM
1:41:10DECOUPLE I, I WOULD POINT TO
1:41:12THAT ESPECIALLY YOU KNOW,
1:41:13ANYTHING THAT CAN HELP BOOST UM
1:41:15VOTERS CONFIDENCE AND TRUST IN
1:41:17WHAT THEY'RE EXPECTED TO
1:41:19PROVIDE AS PART OF THE PROCESS
1:41:20IS ALWAYS A BENEFIT.
1:41:22UH, BUT WE.
1:41:23KNOW THAT DECOUPLING WHEN WE GO
1:41:24DOWN THE UM, LINE ON REASONS I
1:41:26MEAN IT'S FULL CENSUS CAN BE A
1:41:28BARRIER.
1:41:28YOU KNOW, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE
1:41:30YOU KNOW, ONE'S UM CENSUS PER
1:41:32HOUSEHOLD IN UH THE STATE IT
1:41:34CAN EVEN GO AS FAR AS YOU KNOW,
1:41:36AT THE LEAGUE WE POINT TO
1:41:37VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
1:41:38WHO MAY NOT JUST STRAIGHT UP
1:41:39GET ACCESS TO THEIR MAIL OR
1:41:41THEIR VOTE.
1:41:41WE GO INTO UM, YOU KNOW,
1:41:44TALKING ABOUT UM, ACCESSIBILITY
1:41:46THAT MANY OF THESE STREET
1:41:47LISTINGS AREN'T PROVIDED IN
1:41:49BRAILLE OR WITH A SCREEN READER
1:41:50OR ANY KIND OF WAY FOR.
1:41:52FOLKS WITH VISION.
1:41:53PROBLEMS OR EVEN THE FILLING
1:41:54OUT OF THE ACTUAL PAPERWORK
1:41:56WHICH I KNOW IN BOSTON THERE IS
1:41:57AN ONLINE VERSION AND I WANT TO
1:41:58COMMEND YOU FOR THAT.
1:41:59UM, THAT IS NOT SOMETHING WE
1:42:01SHARE ACROSS THE STATE.
1:42:02UM, SO THERE'S A LOT
1:42:03OF BARRIERS TO EVEN FILLING
1:42:05THIS OUT EVEN IF YOU WANTED TO
1:42:06DO IT IN GOOD NATURE AND YOU
1:42:08TRUST IT, THERE'S STILL THOSE
1:42:09BARRIERS THERE.
1:42:10IT JUST IT ONLY STANDS TO BE IN
1:42:12THE WAY OF VOTERS.
1:42:13THANK YOU OKAY THANK YOU CHAIR.
1:42:15THANK YOU.
1:42:16UH, COUNCIL WHATEVER THE CHAIR
1:42:18RECOGNIZES COMES FROM HERE.
1:42:18YOU HAVE THE FLOOR AND FIVE
1:42:19MINUTES.
1:42:20THANK YOU.
1:42:20CHAIR.
1:42:21UM, SO YES.
1:42:24REAL QUICK.
1:42:26UM.
1:42:26>> YOU CAN GO.
1:42:27I'M JUST STRUGGLING.
1:42:28TO MAKE SURE.
1:42:29ALL RIGHT.
1:42:30SO, UM, I OFTEN TALK ABOUT THE
1:42:32FACT THAT MY MOM HAS A LOW
1:42:35LITERACY.
1:42:36SHE DIDN'T MAKE IT BEYOND THE
1:42:37THIRD GRADE.
1:42:38AND SO.
1:42:40THOSE THAT BOOK IS NOT ONLY THE
1:42:42LETTERS ARE SMALL, IT'S NOT
1:42:44ACCESSIBLE TO FOLKS WHO HAVE
1:42:45LOW LITERACY.
1:42:46AND I'M JUST CURIOUS WHAT IF
1:42:48ANY ADVOCACY UM, YOU'D LIKE TO
1:42:50SEE AROUND MAYBE UTILIZING MORE
1:42:52VISUALS AS AS WAYS TO EDUCATE
1:42:54AND INFORM PEOPLE?
1:42:56I ALSO.
1:42:57AM A BIG ADVOCATE OF AUDIO.
1:43:00UM SO JUST CURIOUS IF YOU HAVE
1:43:02SEEN OTHER OTHER CITIES OR
1:43:04STATES DOING THINGS AROUND
1:43:06LANGUAGE INFORMATION JUSTICE IS
1:43:08REALLY WHAT I LIKE TO CALL IT
1:43:09NOT JUST LANGUAGE ACCESS.
1:43:11I JUST THINK THAT WE HAVE TO
1:43:12START THINKING ABOUT THE WHOLE
1:43:13PERSON AND I'M CURIOUS WHAT
1:43:14WHAT IF ANYTHING HAVE YOU SEEN
1:43:16IN OTHER CITIES AND STATES AS
1:43:17IT RELATES TO INFORMATION
1:43:19JUSTICE?
1:43:20YEAH.
1:43:21>> SO I CAN'T SPEAK TO.
1:43:22WHAT WE'VE.
1:43:22>> SEEN IN.
1:43:23OTHER CITIES OR STATES.
1:43:23BUT TO YOUR POINT ON AUDIO I
1:43:25ALWAYS LIKE TO UNDERLINE UM AND
1:43:26I WANT TO THANK THE DISABILITY
1:43:28LAW CENTER WHO'S NOT HERE TODAY
1:43:29BUT POINTED THIS OUT TO US AND
1:43:31EDUCATED OUR ORGANIZATION THAT
1:43:32THE AUTO MARK MACHINE THAT IS
1:43:34TYPICALLY USED FOR FOLKS THAT
1:43:35MAY NEED HELP FILLING IN UM,
1:43:38THE CIRCLES OR HELP FILLING OUT
1:43:39A BALLOT ALSO CAN READ THE
1:43:41BALLOT TO YOU INCLUDING THE
1:43:42FULL LANGUAGE OF THESE
1:43:43QUESTIONS IN MULTIPLE
1:43:45LANGUAGES.
1:43:45SO FOR FOLKS THAT YOU KNOW
1:43:47UNDER OUR CURRENT SYSTEM WHERE
1:43:48WE HAVE THIS BLOCK OF ACCESS TO
1:43:50INFORMATION, THE AUTO MARK
1:43:51MACHINE CAN BE USED FOR SO MUCH
1:43:53MORE THAN JUST THE FILLING OUT
1:43:54OF A BALLOT.
1:43:55IT WILL ALLOW YOU TO BE RIGHT
1:43:56THAT FOR THOSE THAT MAY HAVE
1:43:58ISSUES WITH LITERACY UM OR MAY
1:44:00NOT HAVE THAT ACCESS TO UM
1:44:01LITERACY PROGRAMS, IT WOULD BE
1:44:03THE BETTER WAY TO PUT THAT.
1:44:04UM.
1:44:05>> I KNOW IN SOME OF OUR OTHER
1:44:06STATE LEAGUES UM IN OUR STATE
1:44:08PARTNERS WE'VE SEEN UM A LITTLE
1:44:09BIT MORE OF LIKE THE PLAIN
1:44:11LANGUAGE GO A BIT FARTHER UM,
1:44:13JUST STRAIGHT UP TRANSLATING IT
1:44:15FROM THE LEGAL LANGUAGE INTO
1:44:16THE UM, YOU KNOW, PLAIN
1:44:18LANGUAGE.
1:44:19THE PROBLEM THAT WE SEE IN
1:44:20MASSACHUSETTS FROM A LEAGUE
1:44:21PERSPECTIVE IS THAT SOME
1:44:22OF THESE QUESTIONS ARE
1:44:24INTENTIONALLY COMPLICATED AND
1:44:25THE LANGUAGE IS INCREDIBLY HARD
1:44:28TO TRANSLATE NOT ONLY INTO
1:44:29PLAIN ENGLISH BUT INTO OTHER
1:44:31LANGUAGES.
1:44:31UM, IN A WAY I KNOW AT THE
1:44:33LEAGUE THAT'S BEEN A BARRIER
1:44:34FOR US INTO TRANSLATING SOME
1:44:35OF OUR MATERIALS IS WE DON'T
1:44:36HAVE ACCESS TO BE ABLE TO GET
1:44:38THAT.
1:44:38>> MORE.
1:44:39TECHNICAL LANGUAGE TRANSLATED.
1:44:40UM, SO ANYTHING WE CAN SEE
1:44:42ADVOCACY WISE AND I WELCOME UM
1:44:44SOLUTIONS FROM OUR PARTNERS AND
1:44:46UM OUR ADVOCATES ELSEWHERE, UM,
1:44:48INTO HOW CAN WE KIND
1:44:51OF DESTIGMATIZE AND KIND
1:44:52OF TECHNICALLY MAKE.
1:44:54THESE LESS TECHNICAL I GUESS.
1:44:55OKAY SO.
1:44:56YEAH.
1:44:57>> I'M OFF TO ANSWER JUST
1:44:58BECAUSE MY TIME.
1:44:59>> IS.
1:44:59TICKING BUT IF SHE.
1:45:00>> SAID EVERYTHING WERE GOOD.
1:45:01I WOULD JUST ADD REALLY QUICKLY
1:45:02THAT YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE
1:45:04SOMEONE HELP.
1:45:05>> YOU.
1:45:06>> VOTE UM, WHETHER IT'S A
1:45:07LANGUAGE PROBLEM OR NOT TO YOUR
1:45:09POINT SORT OF AN INFORMATION
1:45:10GAP.
1:45:11SO JUST SPREADING THE WORD THAT
1:45:12EVERYONE DOES HAVE THAT RIGHT.
1:45:14YEAH OKAY MESSAGE SHOW YEAH I'M
1:45:16>> GOOD.
1:45:17I.
1:45:17I GOT THREE MORE QUESTIONS.
1:45:18>> AND I'M TRYING TO GET THEM
1:45:19IN BEFORE MY.
1:45:20>> TIME OKAY.
1:45:21SO UM I'M ALSO.
1:45:23CURIOUS ABOUT.
1:45:23UH.
1:45:24>> THE POLL.
1:45:25WORKERS IN DIVERSE LANGUAGES.
1:45:26I'M CURIOUS WHAT IF ANY UM,
1:45:29PARTNERSHIPS THAT YOU HAVE IN
1:45:31TERMS OF TAPPING TO NONPROFIT
1:45:33ORGANIZATIONS WITH.
1:45:34DIVERSE LANGUAGE.
1:45:35UH, SKILLS.
1:45:37I DO KNOW THAT THAT IS THE
1:45:39FOCUS OF MASS VOTE IN THE VOTER
1:45:41TABLE BECAUSE WE HAVE UM
1:45:43REGIONALLY WE HAVE ALL OF THESE
1:45:45ORGANIZATIONS AND WE HAVE MANY
1:45:46DIFFERENT LANGUAGES AND SO WE
1:45:48WE I HEARD YOU MAKE THIS
1:45:50REQUEST YESTERDAY IN THE
1:45:51MEETING ASKING PEOPLE FOR THAT
1:45:53VERY REASON HAITIAN CREOLE BY
1:45:56ALL THESE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
1:45:58WHERE OUR ORGANIZATIONS UM,
1:46:00THRIVE THAT WERE TRYING TO
1:46:03RECRUIT POLL WORKERS FROM THOSE
1:46:06ORGANIZATIONS WITH, YOU KNOW,
1:46:07HIGHLIGHTING THOSE LANGUAGES.
1:46:09YEAH.
1:46:09>> BECAUSE WHAT I THINK WOULD
1:46:11BE IMPORTANT IS LIKE YES, WE
1:46:13NEED IT SAY WE NEED ELECTION
1:46:15DAY COVERAGE BUT IF THERE'S A
1:46:17WAY.
1:46:18I'M LOOKING AT Y'ALL BACK THERE
1:46:20TO MAYBE EVEN BRING PEOPLE ON
1:46:21BOARD.
1:46:22SOONER SO.
1:46:23THAT THOSE POLL WORKERS ARE
1:46:24ALSO EDUCATING MAYBE THEIR
1:46:26IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOODS IT'S
1:46:27GOING TO BE ELECTION DAY NEXT
1:46:28WEEK.
1:46:29MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A PLAN LIKE
1:46:30THERE'S OTHER WAYS THEN THAT WE
1:46:32CAN ACTIVATE FOLKS THAT IT'S
1:46:34NOT JUST A ONE OFF.
1:46:34AND I THINK THAT THAT WOULD
1:46:36ALSO HELP SUPPORT UM.
1:46:38THE THE LEVEL OF ENTHUSIASM.
1:46:40BECAUSE YOU KNOW, OF UM VOTING
1:46:43ISN'T SEXY IS NOT FUN LIKE AND
1:46:45WHO WANTS TO GO TURN UP AT A
1:46:47POLL?
1:46:47NOBODY REALLY UNLESS YOU KNOW
1:46:48WHAT WE CAN MAKE IT FUN.
1:46:49WE CAN MAKE IT FUN, RIGHT?
1:46:51SO WE SHOULD.
1:46:52AND YOU AND I HAVE.
1:46:53>> BEEN TO SOME OF YOUR YOUR
1:46:54ELECTION DAY PARTIES AND I I
1:46:55LOVE THEM BUT I.
1:46:58>> YOU KNOW UNTIL IN 2000.
1:46:59TO UM.
1:47:01COUNCIL MEMBERS.
1:47:01UH, YOU KNOW, GOING DOWN MEMORY
1:47:04LANE I USED TO WORK AT MTV AND
1:47:06I COVERED THE PRESIDENTIAL
1:47:07ELECTIONS BETWEEN GORE AND BUSH
1:47:08AND I GOT TO TRAVEL THE ENTIRE
1:47:10COUNTRY TRYING TO GET YOUNG
1:47:12PEOPLE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT
1:47:14VOTING.
1:47:14AND THAT WAS MY FIRST
1:47:16EXPERIENCE WITH WHY PEOPLE
1:47:17DON'T CARE.
1:47:18AND YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT,
1:47:20TRACY.
1:47:20PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THE
1:47:22CONNECTION THAT, UH, YOU KNOW,
1:47:24POLITICS HAS ON THEIR DAY TO
1:47:26DAY LIFE AND THAT WAS IN 2000
1:47:28AND THEN AFTER THAT I CAME BACK
1:47:29HOME AND THEN I INITIATED THIS
1:47:31INITIATIVE CALLED DETERMINED
1:47:32DIVAS WHERE WE INCENTIVIZE
1:47:34PEOPLE TO REGISTER TO VOTE AND
1:47:36WE MADE A CONTEST OUT OF IT.
1:47:38SO THE PEOPLE WHO REGISTERED
1:47:39THE MOST GOT, YOU KNOW, GIFT
1:47:41CARDS LIKE WE JUST TRY TO MAKE
1:47:42IT AS FUN AS POSSIBLE.
1:47:43BUT THE AT THE END OF THE DAY.
1:47:46PEOPLE AREN'T.
1:47:47>> VOTING BECAUSE THEY JUST
1:47:48DON'T SEE THEMSELVES REFLECTED
1:47:50IN THE CONVERSATION.
1:47:51AND I THINK THAT THAT'S ALSO ON
1:47:54THE ELECTEDS AND THE CANDIDATES
1:47:56THAT ARE RUNNING FOR THEM TO
1:47:57UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ALSO HAVE
1:47:59A ROLE TO PLAY.
1:48:00IT CAN'T JUST BE CITY
1:48:01GOVERNMENT AND AND THE.
1:48:02NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT
1:48:03THERE IS A ROLE FOR EVERYONE TO
1:48:05PLAY AND GETTING PEOPLE.
1:48:06ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THAT.
1:48:07AND I LOOK.
1:48:08>> FORWARD.
1:48:09TO WORKING IN COLLABORATION
1:48:09WITH YOU ALL TO DO JUST THAT.
1:48:11THANK YOU.
1:48:12THANK YOU.
1:48:14UM THANK YOU TO THIS REALLY
1:48:15WONDERFUL PANEL FOR YOUR
1:48:17INSIGHTS AND FOR ALL YOU DO TO
1:48:18UPHOLD DEMOCRACY AND TO MAKE
1:48:19SURE DEMOCRACY IS ACCESSIBLE TO
1:48:21THOSE.
1:48:21WHO HAVE.
1:48:22>> TOO OFTEN BEEN FORGOTTEN BY
1:48:23OUR SYSTEMS UM, INTENTIONALLY
1:48:26SO UH, FOLKS WHO ARE WORKING
1:48:27CLASS TOO OFTEN OUR BLACK AND
1:48:29BROWN VOTERS VOTERS OF COLOR
1:48:31LIKE COUNCIL MEDIA STATED THOSE
1:48:32WITH LOW LITERACY RATES.
1:48:34WE WANT TO THINK ABOUT HOW
1:48:35WE'RE BRINGING EVERYBODY INTO
1:48:37THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND THE
1:48:39ADVICE THAT YOU GAVE US AND THE
1:48:40ADVICE THAT YOU'VE GIVEN TO UH
1:48:42,THE CITY I THINK WILL BE
1:48:43REALLY WELL TAKEN.
1:48:44UH, YES.
1:48:45UM, QUESTION FOR US THAT WE CAN
1:48:46HAVE ELECTION DAY VOTER
1:48:47REGISTRATION SO WE KNOW THAT
1:48:49THIS IS YOUR BEEN LIKE YOUR
1:48:50LIFE'S WORK ESPECIALLY WITH
1:48:51MASS VOTER TABLE.
1:48:52SO WE APPRECIATE YOU UM, AND
1:48:54LET US KNOW THAT WE HAVE A
1:48:56RESOLUTION THAT I ENTERED AND
1:48:58WE'LL BE VOTING ON GOD WILLING
1:49:00NEXT, UH, WEDNESDAY.
1:49:02UH, BUT WE'LL LET THIS BODY
1:49:03KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO TO FURTHER
1:49:06STRENGTHEN WHAT NEEDS TO BE
1:49:07DONE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET A
1:49:08YES.
1:49:08UM, QUESTION FOR UM THANK YOU
1:49:11TO TRACY AND ROSEANNE, UH, WHO
1:49:13ARE ALSO HERE WITH US VIA
1:49:14VIDEO.
1:49:15WE APPRECIATE YOUR TESTIMONY.
1:49:16UH, WE ARE NOW GOING TO
1:49:18TRANSITION TO THE
1:49:18ADMINISTRATION PANEL SO YOU ALL
1:49:20ARE RELIEVED, BUT FEEL FREE TO
1:49:21STICK AROUND AND HEAR.
1:49:23>> FROM.
1:49:23THE ADMINISTRATION.
1:49:24UH, LET ME TURN TO CENTER STAFF
1:49:26TO SEE IF WE HAVE ANYONE SIGNED
1:49:27UP FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
1:49:29AND WE.
1:49:30>> DON'T HAVE WE WE HAVE ONE
1:49:31PERSON HERE.
1:49:32>> FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY OR
1:49:33DURING THE TRANSITION.
1:49:34ALAN.
1:49:34UH, I I KNOW HIS NAME SO HE CAN
1:49:36ALAN TANNER, IF YOU COULD
1:49:38PLEASE COME UP TO THE MIC.
1:49:39YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.
1:49:41PLEASE IDENTIFY YOUR.
1:49:42NAME WHERE.
1:49:43>> YOU'RE FROM AND YOU HAVE TWO
1:49:44MINUTES FOR TESTIMONY.
1:49:45CERTAINLY.
1:49:46>> GIVE ME JUST ONE MOMENT.
1:49:49>> OKAY.
1:49:49THANK YOU.
1:49:59PERFECT.
1:50:09>> HELLO.
1:50:10>> UM, MY NAME IS ALAN TANNER.
1:50:13UM, AND I AM HERE TESTIFYING IN
1:50:16FAVOR OF I BELIEVE IT'S STUCK
1:50:17AT NUMBER 1805.
1:50:21OKAY.
1:50:22UH, GOOD MORNING.
1:50:23MEMBERS OF THE BOSTON CITY
1:50:26COUNCIL AND ALL WHO ARE PRESENT
1:50:27IN THIS CHAMBER TODAY.
1:50:29I TESTIFY TODAY AS A FORMER
1:50:32VOTER ENGAGEMENT ORGANIZER AND
1:50:34ACTIVELY ENGAGED RESIDENT
1:50:35OF THE CITY OF BOSTON.
1:50:37I STAND IN FAVOR OF SAME DAY
1:50:38VOTER REGISTRATION AS I BELIEVE
1:50:41THIS IS A CRITICAL TOOL IN THE
1:50:44TOOLBOX TO INCREASE VOTER
1:50:45TURNOUT IN OUR ELECTIONS BY
1:50:48ELIMINATING THE BUREAUCRATIC
1:50:49HURDLE OF REGISTRATION
1:50:51DEADLINES, THEREBY CREATING A
1:50:53MORE ACCESSIBLE ELECTION
1:50:55SYSTEM.
1:50:55THIS ALSO ALLOWS BUSY
1:50:57PROFESSIONALS WHO DO NOT HAVE
1:51:01UM TIME.
1:51:02TO DUE TO THE ONE.
1:51:03SESSION UM TO FILL OUT LOTS
1:51:05OF PAPERWORK TO SEND THINGS
1:51:07BACK UM OR STRUGGLE TO REMEMBER
1:51:10DEADLINES OR ELECTIONS BECAUSE
1:51:11THEY HAVE MANY OTHER DEADLINES
1:51:13OR OTHER MATTERS THEY ARE
1:51:15KEEPING IN THEIR HEAD ALSO THIS
1:51:17OPENS THE DOOR FOR THOSE WHO
1:51:18MAY CHANGE THEIR MIND AT THE
1:51:20LAST MINUTE ABOUT WHETHER THEY
1:51:22WANT TO VOTE OR NOT.
1:51:23AND FOR NEW VOTERS THAT ARE
1:51:25UNFAMILIAR WITH THE SYSTEM NOW
1:51:27THIS IS ONE LESS CHALLENGE THEY
1:51:29WILL NEED TO FACE.
1:51:30I BELIEVE THAT THIS MEASURE
1:51:32SHOULD PASS IF WE TRULY WANT
1:51:34MORE REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY
1:51:36AND A MORE ACCESSIBLE ELECTION
1:51:38SYSTEM AN ELECTION SYSTEM THAT
1:51:41IS INVITING TO NOT DISSUASIVE
1:51:43WITH A DEADLINE AFTER DEADLINE
1:51:45I ALSO BELIEVE THAT INCREASING
1:51:47VOTER TURNOUT IS HELPFUL TO
1:51:49CANDIDATES FOR ANY OFFICE
1:51:50BECAUSE IT INCREASES THE NUMBER
1:51:52OF VOTERS THAT WILL ACTUALLY BE
1:51:53VOTING, THEREBY CREATING THE
1:51:56AFOREMENTIONED MORE
1:51:56REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY.
1:51:58THIS MEASURE WOULD ALSO HELP
1:51:59THE BUSY MOTHER WHO HAS TO GET
1:52:01HER KIDS OFF TO SCHOOL AND GET
1:52:03HERSELF TO WORK BEFORE NEEDING
1:52:05TO BE HOME BEFORE THE KIDS GET
1:52:07HOME AND START PREPARING DINNER
1:52:09UM, LEAVING LITTLE TIME FOR
1:52:11VOTING ON SUCH A BUSY DAY.
1:52:13THIS ACT HAS GREAT POTENTIAL
1:52:15AND SHOULD PASS THIS BODY
1:52:16FAVORABLY.
1:52:18UM YEAH I HAVE TOO MUCH MORE TO
1:52:21GO SO I WILL HAVE WHAT I HAVE
1:52:23MORE LIKE.
1:52:24>> A LOT MORE TO GO.
1:52:25>> SO I'LL GIVE YOU ANOTHER TWO
1:52:27MINUTES.
1:52:27UH, JUST BECAUSE YOU SINCE
1:52:28YOU'RE THE ONLY PERSON HAVE FOR
1:52:29PUBLIC TESTIMONY BUT THEN WE WE
1:52:30WILL TURN TO SO YOU CAN
1:52:31CONTINUE.
1:52:32THANK YOU.
1:52:32MORE MINUTES.
1:52:33ALL RIGHT.
1:52:33>> THANK YOU.
1:52:34I ALSO BELIEVE THAT BY
1:52:36INCREASING VOTER TURNOUT THIS
1:52:39IS HELPFUL TO CANDIDATES FOR
1:52:40ANY OFFICE BECAUSE IT INCREASES
1:52:41THE NUMBER OF VOTERS THAT WILL
1:52:44ACTUALLY BE VOTING, THEREBY
1:52:46CREATING THE AFOREMENTIONED
1:52:47MORE REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY.
1:52:48THIS MEASURE WOULD OH, I
1:52:50ALREADY WENT THROUGH THAT TO
1:52:51ADDRESS THE OPPOSITION ON THIS
1:52:53BALLOT MEASURE AND THE
1:52:55MASSACHUSETTS UM WHO IS THE
1:52:57MASSACHUSETTS REPUBLICAN PARTY
1:52:59UM, THESE ARGUMENTS MADE ABOUT
1:53:01ELECTION SECURITY ARE THE SAME
1:53:03TYPE OF ARGUMENT SEEN WHEN THE
1:53:05CURRENT FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION
1:53:07TRIED TO ELIMINATE OR DISSUADE
1:53:08MAIL IN VOTING DUE TO SO-CALLED
1:53:11SECURITY CONCERNS.
1:53:12THIS RHETORIC ONLY UNDERMINES
1:53:14OUR DEMOCRACY AND
1:53:16DISENFRANCHIZES VOTERS.
1:53:17THIS DOES NOT LEAVE ROOM FOR
1:53:19PEOPLE WHO DO NOT FIT UM INTO
1:53:23THE CATEGORY OF FRAUD OR
1:53:25GENERALLY TRYING TO TAKE PART
1:53:27IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.
1:53:29IF YOU WOULD REVIEW YOUR RED
1:53:31BOOKLET ISSUED BY THE SECRETARY
1:53:32OF THE COMMONWEALTH
1:53:34OF MASSACHUSETTS, YOU WOULD SEE
1:53:35THAT THERE ARE IN FACT SECURITY
1:53:37MEASURES IN PLACE SUCH AS
1:53:39DOCUMENT CERTIFICATION
1:53:41OF CLAIMED FACTS REGARDING
1:53:42RESIDENCE FOR THOSE LOOKING TO
1:53:44CHANGE THEIR VOTING ADDRESS ON
1:53:45ELECTION DAY AND ALSO SWORN
1:53:47STATEMENTS AFFIDAVITS UNDER THE
1:53:49STRICT FELONY UM PENALTIES FOR
1:53:52MISINFORMATION.
1:53:53LET US PASS A QUESTION FOR AN
1:53:55ADVANCE THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
1:53:57LET'S STAND AGAINST THE
1:53:58RHETORIC THAT TRIES TO TAKE
1:53:59AWAY OPPORTUNITIES TO
1:54:01PARTICIPATE IN OUR DEMOCRATIC
1:54:02SYSTEM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY,
1:54:04EVEN IN PLACES WHERE WE WOULD
1:54:06LEAST EXPECT SUCH RHETORIC.
1:54:08THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
1:54:09TO SPEAK ON THIS MATTER TODAY.
1:54:11I YIELD THIS TIME.
1:54:12THANK YOU ALLAN AND THANK YOU
1:54:13FOR YOUR ADVOCACY.
1:54:15UM.
1:54:15>> AND.
1:54:16I ALSO BEFORE WE TURN OVER TO
1:54:17THIS PANEL, SOMETHING ELSE THAT
1:54:19MENTIONED AND THAT OTHERS
1:54:20MENTIONED IS THAT THE THE VERY
1:54:21THE FEAR ABOUT VOTER FRAUD AND
1:54:23HOW LOW INCIDENCES OF ANY FRAUD
1:54:26WHETHER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
1:54:27MASSACHUSETTS OR AROUND THE
1:54:28COUNTRY, HOW LOW IT IS AND AS
1:54:31YOU KNOW, SOMEONE WHO USED TO
1:54:33FIGHT AGAINST VOTER ID LAWS
1:54:35BECAUSE.
1:54:38BECAUSE WE KNEW THAT THEY WERE
1:54:39MORE OF AN INTIMIDATION AND A
1:54:40CHILLING TACTIC THAN THEY WERE
1:54:42ONE ABOUT VOTER FRAUD.
1:54:43I JUST WANTED TO THANK EVERYONE
1:54:44FOR REITERATING HOW, UM,
1:54:47DAMAGING IT IS WHEN WE PUT THAT
1:54:48LANGUAGE OUT INTO UM INTO OUR
1:54:51DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.
1:54:52SO THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR
1:54:53TESTIFYING.
1:54:53I'M NOW GOING TO TURN IT OVER
1:54:55TO THIS ESTEEM PANEL WHICH IS
1:54:57OUR ADMINISTRATION PANEL.
1:54:58WE HAVE KERRY JORDAN, NEWLY
1:55:00EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
1:55:01BOSTON ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT,
1:55:03PAUL CHUNG COMMISSIONER CITY
1:55:04RECORDS AND FORMER INTERIM
1:55:06DIRECTOR UM AND A MAN OF MANY
1:55:09HATS AND A MAN THAT WE ALL KNOW
1:55:12VERY DEARLY HERE.
1:55:13UH, SABINA PIEMONTE, HEAD
1:55:15ASSISTANT REGISTRAR OF VOTERS,
1:55:16BOSTON ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT.
1:55:17I'M NOW GOING TO TURN IT OVER
1:55:18FOR YOU FOR ANY PRESENTATION.
1:55:20UM, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
1:55:24THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCILOR.
1:55:27UH LOUIJEUNE.
1:55:27UH, WE WANT TO THANK THE CHAIR
1:55:31,THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT,
1:55:33COUNCILOR WEBER AND
1:55:35COUNCILOR MCCARTHY.
1:55:35UH, UM, AND ALL THE MEMBERS
1:55:38OF THIS BODY.
1:55:40I REALLY NEEDED THIS HEARING.
1:55:43IT IS NOURISHING TO THE SOUL TO
1:55:45HEAR SUBSTANTIVE FACTUAL
1:55:50DISCUSSION ABOUT THE WAY THAT
1:55:52WE DO OUR CIVIC LIFE TOGETHER.
1:55:54AND SO I AM SO GRATEFUL TO AS
1:55:56VOTES TO THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN
1:55:58VOTERS, TO THE ACLU, TO LAWYERS
1:56:01FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND TO THIS
1:56:02BODY FOR THE KIND
1:56:05OF CONVERSATION THAT WE'RE
1:56:06HAVING TODAY BECAUSE TO ME IT
1:56:09PROVES THAT WHAT WE HAVE HERE
1:56:11IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR.
1:56:14SO MY DEEPEST GRATITUDE WE
1:56:17HAVE, UH, ELECTION COMMISSIONER
1:56:20JANET SLOVAN HERE WITH US
1:56:21TODAY.
1:56:22COMMISSIONER SLOVAN, THANK YOU
1:56:24FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
1:56:25UH, AND THANK YOU FOR BEING
1:56:26HERE AND TO OUR COMMISSIONERS
1:56:28WHO COULDN'T BE HERE.
1:56:29UM, WE HAVE OUR CHAIR ADAM
1:56:31CEDAR, UM, UH, REPUBLICAN
1:56:33MEMBER RACHEL KEMP AND UH,
1:56:35REPUBLICAN MEMBER UH, ELLEN
1:56:37ROONEY AS WELL.
1:56:38MY DEEP THANKS TO THEM AND
1:56:41ESPECIALLY TO UH, THE ELECTION
1:56:43DEPARTMENT STAFF WHO ENABLED
1:56:4879,474 VOTERS TO VOTE UH, IN
1:56:50THE SEPTEMBER PRIMARY, WHO
1:56:53ANSWERED ALMOST 800 PHONE CALLS
1:56:55WITH A WAIT TIME OF LESS THAN
1:56:5816 SECONDS.
1:56:59UM, WHO STAFFED AND ORGANIZED
1:57:04275 PRECINCTS ALL ACROSS THE
1:57:06CITY.
1:57:07I AM SO DEEPLY PROUD OF THE
1:57:09WORK THAT WE DO EVERY DAY.
1:57:11UM, THESE ELECTION DEPARTMENT
1:57:14STAFF AND OUR 1700 POLL WORKERS
1:57:16,UM, WORK TIRELESSLY.
1:57:18AND JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME
1:57:20PERSPECTIVE, THE ELECTION
1:57:21DEPARTMENT STAFF WORKED 50 DAYS
1:57:23STRAIGHT, UM, TO MAKE SURE THAT
1:57:26THESE ELECTIONS HAPPEN.
1:57:27THIS IS NOT, UH, AN
1:57:29ORGANIZATION THAT HAS A LOT
1:57:31OF SLACK.
1:57:31THESE ARE THE HARDEST WORKING
1:57:33PEOPLE I KNOW.
1:57:35SO MY GRATITUDE.
1:57:37UH, TO ALL THE ELECTION
1:57:38DEPARTMENT STAFF.
1:57:40UM, AND SABINO EXEMPLIFIES THAT
1:57:42UM, SO, UH, WITH THAT I'M
1:57:45PLEASED TO BE HERE.
1:57:47UM, I WAS THE INTERIM ELECTION
1:57:51DIRECTOR.
1:57:52UM, KERRY IS THE NEW ELECTION
1:57:54DIRECTOR.
1:57:55UM, QUESTIONS ABOUT THE
1:57:58SEPTEMBER 1ST PRIMARY.
1:57:59I WILL DO MY BEST TO ANSWER THE
1:58:01QUESTIONS.
1:58:01UM, ABOUT OUR PREPARATIONS
1:58:03MOVING FORWARD, I WILL DEFER
1:58:05TO, UH, MR JORDAN AND
1:58:08MR COMMITTEE.
1:58:09UM, I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT
1:58:13YES, WE DID HAVE FEDERAL
1:58:15ELECTION MONITORS AND YES,
1:58:18THERE ARE CHALLENGES AND VERY
1:58:20LEGITIMATE FEARS AMONG BOTH THE
1:58:23VOTING PUBLIC AND OUR POLL
1:58:25WORKERS ABOUT THE STATE
1:58:28OF FEDERAL OVERSIGHT.
1:58:29BUT I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE
1:58:31THAT OUR VOTERS KNOW THAT IF
1:58:35YOU BELIEVE BAD ACTORS ARE
1:58:37TRYING TO DISENFRANCHIZE YOU
1:58:39FROM VOTING, THEN NOT VOTING
1:58:42ACCOMPLISHES THOSE ENDS.
1:58:44SO I WOULD REQUEST THE
1:58:46ASSISTANCE OF THIS COUNCIL.
1:58:48I WOULD ENCOURAGE VOTERS TO
1:58:51VOTE AND WE HAVE TWO WEEKS
1:58:53OF EARLY VOTING STARTING
1:58:55OCTOBER 17TH.
1:58:55VOTE EARLY.
1:58:57YOU CAN VOTE BY MAIL.
1:58:58WE HAVE CITY OPERATED LOCKED
1:59:02DROPBOXES AND THERE'S A MAP ON
1:59:03OUR WEBSITE IN EVERY
1:59:05NEIGHBORHOOD.
1:59:06UM SO IF YOU DON'T TRUST THE
1:59:09USPS WE PICK THOSE UP.
1:59:11UM AND THEN ELECTION DAY AS
1:59:13WELL.
1:59:14UM, THERE'S A LOT TO TALK ABOUT
1:59:17OPERATIONALLY AND UM, I JUST
1:59:19WANT TO MAKE A QUICK NOTE FOR
1:59:21THIS BODY THE BUDGET THAT WE
1:59:25DECIDE SOON IT'S COMING UP WILL
1:59:28BE THE BUDGET THAT TAKES US
1:59:30THROUGH THE BEGINNING OF THE
1:59:32PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES IN 2028
1:59:35AND SO AS WE TALK ABOUT
1:59:37ELECTION PREPARATIONS AND THE
1:59:39THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING TO
1:59:40TRAIN POLL WORKERS TO HIRE
1:59:41STAFF TO MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES,
1:59:44WE WILL NEED YOUR HELP BECAUSE
1:59:46WE HAVE TO LAY THE FOUNDATIONS
1:59:47NOW IN ORDER TO BE PREPARED FOR
1:59:512028 AS UH, FAR OFF AS THAT MAY
1:59:54SOUND.
1:59:54SO WITH THAT I THANK YOU AND,
1:59:57UM, CHAIR BACK TO YOU.
1:59:59OKAY.
2:00:00>> WELL THANK YOU.
2:00:01UM, THANK YOU TO, UH, YOU ALL
2:00:04FOR BEING HERE.
2:00:05I MY FIRST QUESTION IS THAT THE
2:00:07DEPARTMENT REMAINS SUBJECT TO
2:00:09THE SECRETARY.
2:00:10SECRETARY GALVIN'S FEBRUARY
2:00:112025.
2:00:11ORDER, ORDER!
2:00:13UM, WHAT HAS MICHAEL SULLIVAN
2:00:16REVIEWED OR APPROVED FOR
2:00:17NOVEMBER?
2:00:17WHICH REQUIREMENTS ARE FULLY
2:00:18MET AND ARE THERE UNRESOLVED
2:00:19FINDINGS OR CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
2:00:21AND, UH, WHEN WILL THE
2:00:24SECRETARY OF STATE'S ORDER
2:00:26TERMINATE?
2:00:28SO WE HAVEN'T HAD THE
2:00:29CONVERSATION WITH THE SECRETARY
2:00:30OF THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE YET,
2:00:32BUT THEY HAVE BEEN VERY ENGAGED
2:00:34WITH US, UH, INCLUDING THE
2:00:36SECRETARY'S DESIGNEE.
2:00:38SO WE HAVE UH, RUNNING DIALOG
2:00:40WITH UM KERRY AND I WERE AT A
2:00:42TRAINING UM, HOSTED BY THE
2:00:44SECRETARY'S OFFICE SAID THIS
2:00:46WEEK LAST WEEK LAST WEEK.
2:00:48UM AND SO WE TALK WITH THEM
2:00:50VERY REGULARLY.
2:00:51THEY WERE VERY INVOLVED IN
2:00:53MEETING WITH DEPARTMENT
2:00:55OF JUSTICE.
2:00:55AND SO WE PLAN TO HOLD A VERY
2:00:59SUCCESSFUL ELECTION IN NOVEMBER
2:01:02AND THEN WE WILL REVISIT THAT
2:01:04CONVERSATION, UH, WITH OUR
2:01:05PARTNERS AT THE STATE.
2:01:06THANK YOU.
2:01:07>> WE LISTENED TO THE EARLIER
2:01:08PANEL TALK ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY
2:01:09ISSUES, TALK ABOUT SIGNAGE
2:01:10ISSUES AFTER THE SEPTEMBER
2:01:12PRIMARY.
2:01:13WHAT DID THE INCIDENTS LOG SHOW
2:01:16BY PRECINCT AND CATEGORY?
2:01:19SO I DON'T HAVE EVERY DETAIL IN
2:01:22FRONT OF ME BUT WE ARE
2:01:24CERTAINLY, UH, EXCITED TO WORK
2:01:26WITH OUR PARTNERS TO ADDRESS
2:01:28ANY POTENTIAL ISSUES.
2:01:29I WOULD SAY AND I THINK I'M A
2:01:31LITTLE BIASED BUT OVERALL WE
2:01:33HAD A VERY SMOOTH ELECTION.
2:01:36OKAY.
2:01:37>> UM WELL I GUESS I'LL ASK THE
2:01:39QUESTION MORE DIRECTLY.
2:01:40WE HEARD FROM THE PRIOR PANEL
2:01:41ABOUT HOW WE CAN IMPROVE UPON
2:01:44ACCESSIBILITY WHEN IT COMES TO
2:01:45SIGNAGE.
2:01:46UH, WHEN IT COMES TO
2:01:47INFORMATION ABOUT ASSISTANCE AT
2:01:49AT POLLING LOCATIONS, IS THAT
2:01:50SOMETHING THAT WE'RE READY TO
2:01:51IMPLEMENT AND DO?
2:01:54WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO WORK
2:01:55WITH YOU, COUNCILOR AND OTHERS
2:01:58TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ALL OF OUR
2:02:00POLLING PLACES ARE ACCESSIBLE
2:02:02AS POSSIBLE AND THAT WE IMPROVE
2:02:03OUR SIGNAGE.
2:02:05AND WHAT WILL WE BE DOING?
2:02:06ARE WE DOING ANYTHING
2:02:07DIFFERENTLY?
2:02:07YOU KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT THE
2:02:09SANDWICH.
2:02:09BOARDS WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO?
2:02:10UH, BILLBOARDS MORE UH,
2:02:13ADVERTISEMENTS ON THE RADIO.
2:02:14WHAT ELSE ARE WE THINKING ABOUT
2:02:15DOING TO INCREASE VOTER
2:02:16ENGAGEMENT AND VOTER TURNOUT?
2:02:18UH, KERRY JORDAN EXECUTIVE
2:02:20DIRECTOR, ELECTION DEPARTMENT.
2:02:21I'M JUST EXCITED TO SHARE THAT
2:02:23THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN
2:02:24UNDERGOING, UM, A CREATIVE
2:02:25REBRANDING JUST SO THAT OUR
2:02:26MATERIALS STAND OUT A LOT MORE
2:02:28SO THEY DO FEATURE SOME MORE
2:02:29ORANGES THAT THEY, UM, YOU
2:02:31KNOW, ARE ALIGNED WITH THE CITY
2:02:33BLUES.
2:02:34UM, SO THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS
2:02:35THAT WE'RE PUTTING UP IN THE IN
2:02:36THE DIFFERENT UM, STREET
2:02:37FURNITURE.
2:02:38UM, I THINK THEY'RE JUST
2:02:39GETTING APPROVED WITHIN THESE
2:02:40DAYS.
2:02:41UM, BUT WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO
2:02:42MAKE SURE OUR WEBSITE IS
2:02:43ACCURATE IS UP TO DATE.
2:02:45UM, SO SHOUT OUT TO OUR
2:02:47CREATIVE TEAM.
2:02:47SHOUT OUT TO OUR UM, YOU KNOW,
2:02:49OUR COMMUNICATIONS IAN FLOOD
2:02:51AND ALL THE WORK THAT HE DOES
2:02:52TO MAKE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW,
2:02:53WE'RE GETTING THE RIGHT
2:02:54MESSAGES OUT TO THE COMMUNITY.
2:02:55WE'RE ABSORBING THE MATERIALS.
2:02:57THE DEPARTMENT'S BEEN OPEN TO
2:02:58ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IN MY
2:03:00THREE WEEKS OF BEING THERE.
2:03:01IT'S JUST BEEN A GREAT
2:03:02OPPORTUNITY TO KIND OF SEE A
2:03:04DIFFERENT SIDE OF THIS BUILDING
2:03:05AND HOW MANY DEPARTMENTS WITHIN
2:03:07THIS BUILDING COME TOGETHER TO
2:03:08MAKE SURE THAT THEY SUPPORT A
2:03:10SUCCESSFUL ELECTION OPERATION?
2:03:11UM, ONE OF THE WAYS WE DO THAT
2:03:13IS WITH THE PRE-MEETING THAT
2:03:14BRINGS IN ALL THE OPERATIONAL
2:03:15STAKEHOLDERS BRINGS IN BRINGS
2:03:17IN BISCHOFF WHO MAKES SURE WE
2:03:18TALK TO THOSE FACILITY
2:03:19DEPARTMENTS TO MAKE SURE THE
2:03:20DOORS ARE OPEN, THE LIGHTS ARE
2:03:21RUNG, THE HEAT'S ON, THE AREA'S
2:03:23READY FOR UM ELECTION DAY.
2:03:25SO I THINK THE I'M LEARNING HOW
2:03:26PROACTIVE THIS DEPARTMENT IS.
2:03:28UM I'M HAPPY TO DEMYSTIFY THAT.
2:03:30IT'S A TWO DAY OPERATION FOR
2:03:32THE WHOLE YEAR.
2:03:32NOT TRUE.
2:03:33THE TEAM HAS BEEN WORKING
2:03:35NONSTOP CRANKING EVERY DAY I
2:03:36COME IN FOLKS ARE HEAD DOWN
2:03:38GETTING THE WORK DONE.
2:03:39SO EXCITED TO JOIN THAT TEAM
2:03:40AND UM, UPLIFT THE FEAR AND
2:03:42SAFE ELECTIONS THAT THE CITY
2:03:43DOES.
2:03:44THANK YOU.
2:03:44>> AND I ONE OF THE THINGS THAT
2:03:46I SAY AND THAT I WAS HAPPY TO
2:03:47SUPPORT IS THAT, YOU KNOW.
2:03:49ELECTRONIC POLL BOOKS ARE NOW
2:03:50THE NORM AT ALL OF OUR POLLING
2:03:51LOCATIONS AND I WAS VERY
2:03:52EXCITED AND VERY EXCITED TO SEE
2:03:53HOW SEAMLESSLY IT'S WORKING.
2:03:54I'M TRYING TO GET IN ONE MORE
2:03:56QUESTION.
2:03:56UM, IN 2024, THE ISSUE THAT WE
2:03:58SAW UM THAT ELECTION THAT LED
2:04:00TO BALLOT SHORTAGES, THE DOUBLE
2:04:02SUBTRACTION IN THE BALLOT
2:04:03FORMULA CONTRIBUTED TO THEM IS
2:04:05IS THAT 100% OF REGISTERED
2:04:07VOTERS REDISTRIBUTION POLICY IN
2:04:08FORCE IN EVERY PRECINCT IN
2:04:09EVERY BALLOT CARD THIS
2:04:11NOVEMBER?
2:04:12YES, SIR.
2:04:13OKAY.
2:04:13>> CAN YOU CAN YOU ELABORATE ON
2:04:15THAT?
2:04:16ABSOLUTELY.
2:04:17>> UM, THERE'S AND I.
2:04:18THINK SHERYL ALSO TALKED ABOUT
2:04:19THIS TOO.
2:04:19ARE WE MAKING SURE THAT, YOU
2:04:20KNOW, THERE ARE NO PAGES
2:04:21MISSING ESPECIALLY WE HAVE YOU
2:04:23SAID THREE PAGES FOR THE VERY
2:04:25LONG NINE BALLOT QUESTIONS.
2:04:28ABSOLUTELY.
2:04:28>> UM, AND SABINO CAN GIVE YOU
2:04:31THE EXACT, UH, EXACT IN DETAIL
2:04:34BUT THERE IS A QUALITY CONTROL
2:04:37AND QUALITY ASSURANCE PROCESS
2:04:39THAT IS VERY RIGOROUS HAS BEEN
2:04:40APPROVED BY THE SECRETARY
2:04:42OF COMMONWEALTH.
2:04:43THERE ARE MULTIPLE SIGN OFFS AT
2:04:45MULTIPLE STAGES UH, TO ENSURE
2:04:47THAT WE COUNT AND WE RECOUNT
2:04:50THE NUMBER OF BALLOTS THAT GO
2:04:51INTO OUR BALLOT BOXES.
2:04:53UM, SO YOU KNOW, IF UH, IN THE
2:04:57DAYS AHEAD OF THE ELECTION, HE
2:04:59AND HIS TEAM UH, SPENT LONG
2:05:02HOURS, UH, MAKING SURE THAT THE
2:05:04INVENTORY OF BALLOTS THAT WE
2:05:06ORDERED IS THE INVENTORY
2:05:07OF BALLOTS THAT WE RECEIVE AS
2:05:09THE INVENTORY BALLOTS THAT WE
2:05:10PACK.
2:05:10UM, AND THEN THAT GOES ALL THE
2:05:12WAY TO THE POLL WORKERS WHO,
2:05:14UH, MAKE SURE THAT THE BALLOTS
2:05:16ARE THERE AS WELL.
2:05:17SO, YOU KNOW.
2:05:18YEAH, JUST TO ADD THAT THERE IS
2:05:20A PACKING SLIP THAT WE INCLUDE
2:05:22THAT.
2:05:23NOT ONLY DO WE SIGN OFF ON THE
2:05:25COMMISSIONER SIGNS OFF ON.
2:05:26AND THE POLL WORKERS.
2:05:27HAVE TO SIGN OFF ON SO
2:05:29IMMEDIATELY FIRST THING IN THE
2:05:30MORNING IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE
2:05:32AMOUNT THAT'S BEING ASSIGNED TO
2:05:33THEM THEY WILL CALL US UM TO
2:05:35IDENTIFY ANY SHORTAGES.
2:05:36THANK YOU.
2:05:37>> I HAVE A FEW ADDITIONAL
2:05:38QUESTIONS BUT I'LL TURN IT TO
2:05:39MY COLLEAGUES.
2:05:39UM, COUNCIL PRESIDENT BRITTON,
2:05:41YOU HAVE THE FLOOR IN SIX
2:05:42MINUTES.
2:05:42THANK YOU.
2:05:43>> GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL.
2:05:43THANK YOU SO MUCH.
2:05:44AND, UM.
2:05:48YES, UH, THANK YOU TO THE
2:05:49ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT.
2:05:50UH.
2:05:51>> FOR THEIR DILIGENT ATTENTION
2:05:52THIS IS A HUGELY IMPORTANT
2:05:54ISSUE FOR US IN THE CITY.
2:05:56UM, JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO.
2:05:59UM.
2:06:00>> RECENT NATIONAL REPORTING ON
2:06:01HOW, UH, HIGHLIGHTED, UM, A
2:06:04SUPREME COURT DECISION ALLOWING
2:06:05STATES TO ACCESS A NEW.
2:06:07FEDERAL VOTER VERIFICATION
2:06:08SYSTEM THAT COMBINES
2:06:09CITIZENSHIP, SOCIAL SECURITY
2:06:11AND OTHER GOVERNMENT RECORDS TO
2:06:12IDENTIFY POTENTIALLY IN AN.
2:06:15ELIGIBLE VOTERS.
2:06:17UM, GIVEN BOSTON'S COMMITMENT
2:06:19TO BOTH ELECTION INTEGRITY AND
2:06:20VOTER ACCESS, CAN THE ELECTION
2:06:22COMMISSION EXPLAIN WHAT
2:06:24PROCEDURES IN PLACE TO ENSURE
2:06:25THAT VOTER REGISTRATION RECORDS
2:06:27ARE ACCURATE AND HOW DOES THE
2:06:29CITY PROTECT ELIGIBLE VOTERS
2:06:31FROM BEING IMPROPERLY
2:06:33CHALLENGED OR REMOVED FROM THE
2:06:35VOTER ROLLS?
2:06:37AND WHAT SAFEGUARDS EXIST TO
2:06:39ADDRESS ERRORS THAT WHEN
2:06:41GOVERNMENT DATABASES CONTAIN
2:06:43INACCURATE OR UPDATED
2:06:45INFORMATION?
2:06:46ARE WE.
2:06:47WE INTERSECTING WITH.
2:06:49THAT THAT PROCESS AT ALL?
2:06:53SO UM MOST OF OUR SYSTEMS ARE
2:06:56CONTROLLED BY THE SECRETARY
2:06:57OF STATE'S OFFICE.
2:06:58UM, UH, PEOPLE REGISTER ONLINE
2:07:00USING THEIR UM UH WEBSITE WHICH
2:07:03GOES TO A PROCESS OF VERIFYING
2:07:06UM VOTE RESIDENTS TO BECOME
2:07:08VOTERS.
2:07:09AND ONCE THEY PASS THAT
2:07:10PROCESS, IT COMES TO OUR QUEUE
2:07:11FOR US TO REGISTER TO VOTE.
2:07:14SO WE COMPLY WITH THE STATE
2:07:16REQUIREMENTS.
2:07:17UM, SO THE VOTER REGISTRATION
2:07:20IS PROCESS TO THE STATE UH
2:07:23VARIES SYSTEM.
2:07:26WE UH DO NOT IN THE ELECTION
2:07:29DEPARTMENT USE UH THE FEDERAL
2:07:32UH SAVES DATABASE.
2:07:34UM SO THERE IS NO FEDERAL
2:07:36INTERSECTION.
2:07:37UM, AS FAR AS OUR LOCAL OFFICE
2:07:40IS CONCERNED.
2:07:41BECAUSE UM AND THEN.
2:07:43ALSO THE OTHER ISSUE UM IT
2:07:45TALKS ABOUT MANPOWER AND THE
2:07:46GRIP TEAM THAT YOU HAVE YOU
2:07:48SAID 1700 POLL WORKERS.
2:07:51UM, WHAT'S THE CURRENT STATUS
2:07:53OF RECRUITMENT FOR POLL WORKERS
2:07:54AND ARE THERE VACANCIES THAT
2:07:56REMAINED STILL VACANT TO BE
2:07:57FILLED?
2:07:58AND TAKE.
2:07:59>> YOUR.
2:07:59MOMENT TO PITCH THE JOB UH, FOR
2:08:02WANTED POLL WORKERS?
2:08:04ABSOLUTELY.
2:08:04>> I NEED UM I THINK WE'RE
2:08:05THAT'S ONE OF OUR NUMBER ONE
2:08:07TASK.
2:08:07UM, WE HAVE A TRAINING SCHEDULE
2:08:09THAT STARTS MONDAY.
2:08:09THE FIRST WAVE OF, UM, UM, POLL
2:08:12WORKERS ARE GOING TO GO THROUGH
2:08:13THAT TRAINING.
2:08:14UM, AND I THINK WE'RE TRAINING
2:08:15ALL THE WAY UP UNTIL NOVEMBER.
2:08:17SO WE'RE DEFINITELY TRYING TO
2:08:17GET AS MANY FOLKS, UM, TO STAFF
2:08:20THE POLLS AS WE CAN.
2:08:21UM, SO ANY EFFORTS THAT CAN
2:08:22SUPPORT THAT CAUSE AND GET
2:08:24FOLKS TO SIGN UP ON BOSTON
2:08:25AMBASSADOR GOV SLASH ELECTIONS
2:08:27WOULD BE GREAT TO FOLKS TO TO
2:08:29SIGN.
2:08:29UP TO.
2:08:30>> AND CAN POLL WORKERS SIGN UP
2:08:31TO.
2:08:32WORK IN THEIR OWN DISTRICT OR
2:08:33ARE THEY SENT TO OTHER PLACES
2:08:35BECAUSE ONE OF THEIR IT'S AN
2:08:36EARLY MORNING START IF YOU
2:08:38DON'T HAVE YOUR OWN YOU KNOW,
2:08:40WHEELS ON TRANSPORTATION WE
2:08:42RELY ON PUBLIC TRANSIT OR
2:08:43WHATEVER THE HOW DOES IT WORK
2:08:45IN OTHER PARTICULAR AREAS IN
2:08:47THE IN THE CITY WHERE YOU STILL
2:08:48NEED MORE PEOPLE.
2:08:51SO WE'RE WE'RE OPEN TO TRYING
2:08:53OUR BEST TO STAFF FOLKS WHERE
2:08:54THERE'S NEED UM TO WHERE
2:08:56THEY'RE WHERE YOU KNOW WE'RE
2:08:58THEY'RE CLOSE TO HOME WHEN WE
2:08:59CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT WE'LL TRY
2:09:00TO MOVE THEM OUT JUST AS MUCH
2:09:02AS WE CAN BUT STILL KEEP THEM
2:09:03CLOSE TO HOME.
2:09:04UM, AND I KNOW YOUR DISTRICT
2:09:06ALSO IN BRIGHTON IS ONE OF THE
2:09:08AREAS THAT WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING
2:09:09TO TO BUILD POLL WORKERS.
2:09:11SO WE'RE WORKING WITH THE
2:09:11SCHOOLS IN THE AREAS UM, TO
2:09:13MAKE SURE WE PUT THAT WORD OUT,
2:09:14GET THAT MESSAGE OUT OKAY.
2:09:16WE GIVE IT A PLUG.
2:09:18UM AND HOW CAN WE AS.
2:09:19CITY COUNCIL TO STRENGTHEN
2:09:21ACCOUNTABILITY AROUND ELECTION
2:09:22ADMINISTRATION WHILE.
2:09:23MAINTAINING CONFIDENCE IN THE
2:09:25ELECTION OUTCOMES LIKE WHAT DO
2:09:27YOU NEED FROM US.
2:09:28TO SUPPORT YOU TO.
2:09:30DO YOUR VERY IMPORTANT JOB?
2:09:32I'LL START AND THEN POINT IT
2:09:33THIS WAY BUT UM POINTING FOLKS
2:09:35TO BOSTON.GOV WE TRY TO PUT ALL
2:09:36THE UM FACTUAL INFORMATION
2:09:38THERE.
2:09:38THE DEPARTMENT IS IS THEIR
2:09:41MISSION IS TO DELIVER FAIR AND
2:09:43SAFE ELECTIONS FOR EVERYONE
2:09:44WHO'S REGISTERED AND YOU KNOW
2:09:47WANTING TO CAST THEIR BALLOT.
2:09:49SO POINTING FOLKS THERE WE'RE
2:09:50TRYING TO KEEP THAT INFORMATION
2:09:51UP TO DATE.
2:09:52WE'RE ALSO IN THE COMMUNITY OUR
2:09:54UM COMMISSIONERS ARE OUT MAKING
2:09:55SURE THAT TABLING EVENTS
2:09:57ALONGSIDE THE DEPARTMENT.
2:09:58SO WHATEVER EFFORTS WE CAN DO
2:10:00IN OUR IN OUR SMALL BUT MIGHTY
2:10:01WORKFORCE, WE'RE DOING OUR BEST
2:10:02TO.
2:10:03YOU KNOW, PUT PEOPLE.
2:10:04>> IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO
2:10:05WHERE THE FACTS ARE AND WE GET
2:10:06SO MUCH FROM THE STATE
2:10:07INCLUDING THE RED BOOK.
2:10:08UM, SO WE CHECK THAT AND WE TRY
2:10:10TO, YOU KNOW, JUST POINT PEOPLE
2:10:12TO WHERE THE FACTS ARE.
2:10:12AND UM, THE OTHER THING.
2:10:14>> WE TALKED EARLIER ABOUT
2:10:16ACCESSIBILITY AND SIGNAGE.
2:10:16YOU JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT.
2:10:18VERY OFTEN ELECTION DAY FALLS
2:10:19ON THE FIRST TUESDAY OF THE
2:10:20MONTH, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE
2:10:22STREET CLEANING DAY AND ALLSTON
2:10:24BRIGHTON.
2:10:24AND PEOPLE GET TOLD WHEN THEY
2:10:26GO IN TO VOTE.
2:10:27SO UM.
2:10:28MAKE SURE THAT OWNERS
2:10:30COMMUNICATE AND ON ELECTION DAY
2:10:32WE WILL BE TOWING.
2:10:34IN THE VICINITY OF A.
2:10:35POLLING PLACE OR SOMETHING.
2:10:36THAT MIGHT BE HELPFUL AS WELL.
2:10:39UM, I'M GOING TO RUN FOR TIME.
2:10:41ERICA, YOU HAVE A MINUTE?
2:10:42IF YOU HAVE A MINUTE.
2:10:43OH, WOW.
2:10:43THIS IS INCREDIBLE.
2:10:44UM.
2:10:45>> JUST THINKING BIG PICTURE.
2:10:46AND HAVE YOU ANY OTHER OTHER
2:10:49ANTICIPATED CHALLENGES FOR THE
2:10:51UPCOMING ELECTION DAY?
2:10:52UH.
2:10:53>> TO IT'LL BE A NICE DAY, BUT
2:10:55ABSOLUTELY.
2:10:56THERE'S A THREE PAGE BALLOT AND
2:10:57IT'S DOUBLE SIDED.
2:10:59SO AS YOU KNOW, OUR CHECK-IN
2:11:01PROCESS IS MUCH MORE EFFICIENT
2:11:02NOW.
2:11:04UM, THANKS TO UH, THE
2:11:06ELECTRONIC POLL BOOKS THERE.
2:11:07BUT IF IT TAKES 30S TO CHECK
2:11:10IN, UM, BUT IT TAKES 30S TO
2:11:13FEED EACH PAGE INTO THE BALLOT
2:11:15BOX.
2:11:15UM, WE ARE ANTICIPATING THAT,
2:11:18UH, IT WILL BE A LONGER AND
2:11:20LENGTHIER PROCESS FOR PEOPLE TO
2:11:22VOTE IN PERSON.
2:11:24SO ON ELECTION NIGHT ESPECIALLY
2:11:26SO WE REALLY ENCOURAGE UM
2:11:28VOTERS TO VOTE EARLY UM, OR TO
2:11:31VOTE BY MAIL.
2:11:32AND WITH EARLY VOTING I THINK
2:11:34WE'RE HITTING NINE
2:11:35NEIGHBORHOODS UM FOR AN
2:11:37ADDITIONAL WEEKS OR TWO WEEKS
2:11:39OF EARLY VOTING.
2:11:40UM, AND SO WE'RE TRYING TO HIT
2:11:41AS MANY DISTRICTS AS WE CAN TO
2:11:43MAKE SURE VOTERS WE'RE COMING
2:11:44TO WHERE FOLKS CAN VOTE AHEAD
2:11:46OF TIME.
2:11:46YEAH.
2:11:47AND REALLY ENCOURAGING PEOPLE
2:11:49TO MAKE A PLAN EARLY VOTING
2:11:51SCRIPT GET IT DONE.
2:11:53UM.
2:11:53>> BUT ALSO MAKE A PLAN AND IF
2:11:55YOU HAVE TO VOTE ON ELECTION
2:11:56DAY MAKE SURE YOU YOU KNOW,
2:11:59HAVE A PLAN TO BE THERE IN GOOD
2:12:00TIME AND WORK IT.
2:12:02JUST DO IT.
2:12:04AND READ THE QUESTIONS IN
2:12:05ADVANCE.
2:12:06READ THE.
2:12:06>> QUESTIONS.
2:12:07>> AND SO SOME OF.
2:12:08>> THEM ARE INCREDIBLE.
2:12:08THEY'RE REALLY LONG AND COMPLEX
2:12:10SO YEAH SO THAT'S.
2:12:11>> OUR HOMEWORK.
2:12:12YEAH THANK YOU I HAVE TO GO OFF
2:12:14TO ANOTHER MEETING BUT THANK
2:12:15YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE AND UH
2:12:17THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR.
2:12:18THANK YOU COUNCIL.
2:12:19THANK YOU.
2:12:19>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT
2:12:20BREADON AND THANK YOU TO THESE
2:12:22QUESTIONS.
2:12:23I WANT TO GIVE A BIG SHOUT OUT
2:12:24TO ED SHOEMAKER HERE FROM
2:12:25RANGERS, BOSTON RANGERS
2:12:26MASSACHUSETTS BOSTON RANGERS
2:12:29BOSTON.
2:12:29SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE
2:12:31WITH US.
2:12:31THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES
2:12:32COUNCIL HERE YOU HAVE THE FLOOR
2:12:33AND SIX MINUTES.
2:12:356 OR 7.
2:12:36>> WE HAD SEVEN THE FIRST TIME
2:12:38575 AND NOW SIX.
2:12:39BUT IF.
2:12:39>> YOU NEED MORE.
2:12:40YOU'RE THE ONLY COUNSELOR.
2:12:41YOU CAN BE HERE UNTIL TOMORROW.
2:12:44HOW ABOUT THAT FOR A SECOND?
2:12:46WOW.
2:12:49OKAY.
2:12:49UM.
2:12:50SO IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL.
2:12:51THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
2:12:53AND CONGRATULATIONS, KERRY.
2:12:56UM, GIVEN YOUR.
2:12:57I.T WORK, UH, I AM GOING TO
2:13:01ASSUME THAT YOU'RE GOING TO
2:13:02BRING A LOT OF THAT ENERGY IN
2:13:03TERMS OF MODERATE MODERATE
2:13:05SEATING THE, UH, ELECTORAL
2:13:09PROCESS.
2:13:09SO LOOKING FORWARD TO ALL YOUR
2:13:11CREATIVITY IN THAT SPACE.
2:13:12UM, AGAIN, SABINA, IT'S ALWAYS
2:13:14GREAT TO SEE YOU AND, UM,
2:13:17WELCOME BACK.
2:13:17IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU,
2:13:18COMMISSIONER.
2:13:19SO REALLY QUICK I'M GOING TO
2:13:20START WITH SABINO.
2:13:21SABINO, HOW LONG.
2:13:22HAVE YOU BEEN HERE?
2:13:23TOO LONG.
2:13:25HOW MANY?
2:13:26>> NO SUCH THING.
2:13:28UM 34 YEARS.
2:13:3034 YEARS AND OVER.
2:13:32YOUR OVER THE LAST YOU KNOW
2:13:35DECADES THAT YOU'VE BEEN HERE.
2:13:38CAN YOU TALK TO US ABOUT A TIME
2:13:40WHEN YOU FELT LIKE THE
2:13:42ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT.
2:13:43HAD IT RIGHT.
2:13:44AND THERE WEREN'T.
2:13:45A LOT OF HICCUPS?
2:13:47CAN YOU NAME THAT ERA?
2:13:52I FEEL THAT WAY BEFORE EVERY
2:13:53ELECTION.
2:13:54UM.
2:13:55>> WE TRY TO MAKE IT RIGHT AND
2:13:57DEAL WITH THE ISSUES THAT ARISE
2:13:58ON THE DAY OF THE ELECTION AS
2:14:00THEY COME TO US.
2:14:01BUT WE TRY TO PREPARE UM FOR
2:14:03EVERY ELECTION TO BE RIGHT.
2:14:06ALL RIGHT.
2:14:06AND SO LET ME ASK THAT
2:14:07DIFFERENTLY IN THE LAST FEW
2:14:09ELECTION CYCLES IN THE LAST YOU
2:14:11KNOW, DECADES WHICH DECADE
2:14:14WOULD YOU SAY I WILL NEVER WANT
2:14:16TO REPEAT THIS AGAIN.
2:14:17WAS THERE A TIME IN YOUR IN
2:14:20YOUR.
2:14:22JOB EXPERIENCE WHERE YOU LIKE
2:14:27OH I'M NEVER AGAIN?
2:14:32NO UM EVERY ELECTION IS A
2:14:35DIFFERENT CHALLENGE.
2:14:35MHM.
2:14:36>> UM AND I ENJOY COMING TO
2:14:38WORK EVERY SINGLE DAY TO TRY TO
2:14:40DEAL WITH THE CHALLENGES.
2:14:42UM EVERY ELECTION IS DIFFERENT
2:14:44AS YOU CAN SEE THIS IS THE
2:14:45FIRST TIME I'M DOING AN
2:14:46ELECTION WITH THREE BALLOT SO
2:14:48IT'S A CHALLENGE UNTO ITSELF.
2:14:50UM, BUT NO, THERE'S I ENJOY
2:14:54COMING TO WORK.
2:14:54>> EVERY DAY.
2:14:55>> I'M SORRY.
2:14:55CAN I JUST SAY.
2:14:56FIRST I'M DOING AN ELECTION
2:14:57WITH.
2:14:58THREE CARD BALLOT.
2:14:59THREE CARD BALLOT.
2:15:00OKAY.
2:15:00ALL RIGHT, SO YOU KNOW, SEE, I
2:15:02WAS TRYING TO, YOU KNOW, LINE
2:15:03YOU UP SO THAT YOU COULD ASK
2:15:05FOR MORE MONEY BUT YOU DIDN'T
2:15:07GO THERE.
2:15:08SO THAT'S WHY I KNOW.
2:15:10BUT I WAS HOPING YOU WOULD NAME
2:15:11SOME THINGS THAT I COULD BE
2:15:13LIKE ALL RIGHT, BUT YOU DIDN'T.
2:15:15IT'S ALL GOOD.
2:15:16SO NOW LET ME ASK THE QUESTION
2:15:18YOU HAD MENTIONED UM
2:15:19COMMISSIONER THAT UM IN 2028
2:15:22EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE GOING.
2:15:23>> TO HAVE TO DO TO.
2:15:24PREPARE FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL
2:15:25ELECTIONS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO
2:15:26LOOK TO THIS BODY TO HELP
2:15:27SUPPORT AND I'M GLAD THAT
2:15:29YOU'RE ASKING NOW BECAUSE
2:15:30THERE'S ALSO REDISTRICTING
2:15:31THAT'S GOING TO BE HAPPENING IN
2:15:332030.
2:15:33THERE'S A LOT HAPPENING ALL AT
2:15:34THE SAME TIME.
2:15:35AND SO I'M CURIOUS.
2:15:38IN ORDER FOR.
2:15:39THE TEAM AND KERRY PLEASE
2:15:41EVERYONE CAN ANSWER THIS
2:15:42QUESTION WHAT SHOULD WHAT WHAT
2:15:45WOULD A HEALTHY BUDGET LOOK
2:15:46LIKE SO THAT YOU CAN EXECUTE
2:15:49AGAINST THOSE DELIVERABLES?
2:15:50WHAT DO YOU NEED?
2:15:53RIGHT NOW WE'RE FOCUSED ON THE
2:15:55NOVEMBER ELECTIONS.
2:15:58WE OF COURSE WILL BE DEVELOPING
2:15:59A FULL BUDGET PROPOSAL AND WILL
2:16:01BE IN CONVERSATION WITH YOU
2:16:04EARLY.
2:16:04I THINK SOME OF THE THINGS THAT
2:16:05WE WOULD LOOK TOWARDS, UM, ARE
2:16:08TRAINING, OUTREACH SIGNAGE,
2:16:11LANGUAGE ACCESS, ACCESSIBILITY
2:16:14UM AND SO WE WILL WORK WITH THE
2:16:16ADMINISTRATION, UM, AND THE
2:16:18COUNSELORS HERE TO MAKE SURE
2:16:19THAT WE PUT A SUBSTANTIVE
2:16:21PROPOSAL IN FRONT OF YOU.
2:16:22YEAH, THAT THAT THAT WOULD BE
2:16:24GREAT.
2:16:24I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO GET
2:16:27AHEAD OF THESE CONVERSATIONS.
2:16:28SO I THINK IT'S GOOD THAT
2:16:29YOU'RE ALREADY PLANTING THOSE
2:16:31SEEDS AND GETTING US TO START
2:16:32THINKING ABOUT HOW WE BUILD
2:16:33CAPACITY BECAUSE I ALWAYS
2:16:34BELIEVE WE CAN DO THIS ALL WE
2:16:36WANT.
2:16:37BUT IF ON THIS SIDE OF THE
2:16:38AISLE IF WE'RE NOT PROVIDING
2:16:39YOU ALL WITH THE RESOURCES THAT
2:16:41YOU NEED, IT'S JUST A WHOLE
2:16:42BUNCH OF JUST POLITICAL
2:16:43THEATER.
2:16:44WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS
2:16:45HAPPEN.
2:16:46BUT WHAT DID YOU DO TO ADVOCATE
2:16:48FOR THE FUNDS SO THAT THIS
2:16:49DEPARTMENT CAN ACTUALLY BE
2:16:50FULLY FUNCTIONING?
2:16:51>> AND SO.
2:16:51I THINK THAT IT'S REALLY
2:16:52IMPORTANT FOR US TO REALLY BE
2:16:54MINDFUL OF THE ROLE THAT WE
2:16:55PLAY IN SUPPORTING YOU ALL IN
2:16:57THAT UM I SEE I'M.
2:17:00YOU CAN GO I'M NOT GOING TO
2:17:01STOP YOU.
2:17:02SO UM.
2:17:04I AM CURIOUS THOUGH IN TERMS
2:17:05OF HOW THE DEPARTMENT
2:17:08INTERFACES WITH OTHER
2:17:09DEPARTMENTS.
2:17:09I'M THINKING ABOUT VHA.
2:17:11I'M THINKING ABOUT THE BOSTON
2:17:12PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION, THE
2:17:14BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS KIND
2:17:15OF HOW DO YOU SEE THAT
2:17:17COORDINATION THE OFFICE
2:17:18OF DIRECT UM ORGANIZING AND
2:17:20CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY
2:17:23UM ENGAGEMENT WHAT WHAT ROLE.
2:17:26DO YOU ALL PLAY IN INTERFACING
2:17:28WITH THOSE OTHER DEPARTMENTS?
2:17:29>> I'VE HAD THE GIFT OF BEING
2:17:30HERE GOING ON 20 YEARS AND I
2:17:32FEEL LIKE ALONG THE WAY I'VE
2:17:34JUST BEEN GATHERING PEOPLE
2:17:35RIGHT?
2:17:36I'VE BEEN A, UH A PERSON OF THE
2:17:37PEOPLE.
2:17:38SO ALONG THE JOURNEY I KEEP
2:17:40MEETING MORE PEOPLE WHO
2:17:41STRENGTHEN THE WORK THAT I GET
2:17:42TO DO.
2:17:43UM, AND IT'S EVEN MORE NOW UM,
2:17:45I THINK WE HAVE AN AMAZING
2:17:46TEAM.
2:17:46THE FOLKS THAT I'VE INHERITED
2:17:48TO WORK WITH REVIEW THE DATA.
2:17:50THEY'RE DIVING DEEP AND WE'RE
2:17:51MAKING DECISIONS BASED OFF
2:17:52OF THAT.
2:17:53SO THAT'S THAT'S PART OF IT.
2:17:54UM, BUT THE FOLKS WE WORK WITH
2:17:56ALSO HAVE A LOT OF HISTORY LIKE
2:17:57ME AND THEY HAVE A LOT
2:17:58OF CONNECTIONS AND WE'RE NOT
2:17:59AFRAID TO TO ASK FOR THOSE
2:18:01FAVORS AND GET ON FOLKS RADARS
2:18:03EARLY.
2:18:03SO WE'RE NOT SURPRISING THEM AT
2:18:05THE LAST MINUTE WHEN THESE ARE
2:18:06REQUESTS.
2:18:07UM, THIS THIS TEAM UM, HOSTED A
2:18:09TABLETOP EXERCISE UM, IN
2:18:11PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SECRETARY
2:18:12OF THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE.
2:18:13UM, AND THAT WAS JUST A GREAT
2:18:14OPPORTUNITY FOR ME EVEN FROM DO
2:18:16IT TO BE IN THE ROOM AND KIND
2:18:18OF WORK THROUGH SCENARIOS WITH
2:18:19OFFICE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
2:18:20LIKE FOLKS I PROBABLY NEVER
2:18:21WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF HAD A
2:18:23PART TO PLAY IN UM IN THE
2:18:25ELECTIONS PROCESS.
2:18:25UM, BUT THEN HEARING THIS IS
2:18:27SOMETHING THAT CAN ACTUALLY
2:18:28HAPPEN.
2:18:28WHAT WOULD THE CITY DO?
2:18:30WHO ARE THE PEOPLE WHO CALL THE
2:18:31SHOTS AND THE FOLKS WHO ARE UM
2:18:33THE FACILITY FACILITATORS
2:18:35CALLED US OUT TO MAKE SURE WE
2:18:36YOU KNOW, WE HAD THAT WE COULD
2:18:37IDENTIFY WHO IN THE ROOM WAS
2:18:39THE PERSON ACTUALLY AND SEND
2:18:40OUT AN EMAIL ON BEHALF OF THE
2:18:42ADMINISTRATION.
2:18:43SO UM, EXERCISES LIKE THAT WE
2:18:44WE WE EXPECT TO CONTINUE TO DO
2:18:47AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE
2:18:48KEEPING THAT ROLODEX ROLLING TO
2:18:49TO REOPEN THE RIGHT PEOPLE.
2:18:50>> SO YOU KNOW, I I LOVE THAT
2:18:51AND I ALWAYS I ALWAYS SAY THAT,
2:18:52YOU KNOW.
2:18:53,WE'RE RESOURCE RICH POOR
2:18:55COORDINATION POOR AND I THINK
2:18:56THAT.
2:18:56THAT IS AN AREA.
2:18:58OF OPPORTUNITY TO KIND
2:18:59OF STRENGTHEN MORE THE
2:19:00COMMUNICATION FLOW THAT COMES
2:19:02OUT LIKE I THINK ABOUT THE
2:19:03BOSTON PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION
2:19:04AND SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY
2:19:05HEALTH CENTERS THEY DO INTAKES
2:19:07WHERE YOU KNOW, DO YOU FEEL
2:19:08SAFE AT HOME THAT THERE'S LOTS
2:19:10OF THINGS THAT YOU GET ASKED?
2:19:11THERE COULD BE ANOTHER QUESTION
2:19:12THAT YOU ASK ARE YOU REGISTERED
2:19:14TO VOTE?
2:19:14I MEAN THERE'S SO MANY LOW
2:19:15HANGING FRUIT AND WAYS THAT WE
2:19:18CAN REALLY STRENGTHEN CIVIC
2:19:19ENGAGEMENT AND MAKE IT THAT
2:19:20MAKE THAT.
2:19:21PART OF OUR.
2:19:22>> EVERYDAY CONVERSATION.
2:19:23THERE'S UM THERE'S SHELTERS UM
2:19:27GOODWILL.
2:19:28CAREER CENTERS.
2:19:29WHERE IF YOU'RE LOOKING.
2:19:30>> FOR.
2:19:31POLL WORKERS I KNOW THAT UM IF
2:19:33YOU ARE TRANSITIONING OUT
2:19:34OF DTA YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOME
2:19:35SORT OF UH WORK OR TRYING TO DO
2:19:38SOMETHING.
2:19:39SO THERE'S WAYS FOR YOU ALL TO
2:19:41LIKE TAP INTO SOME OF THE
2:19:43SHELTERS, UH, WORKING WITH
2:19:46GOODWILL EVEN IF IT'S JUST FOR
2:19:48A TEMPORARY UH, SCENARIO.
2:19:50UH, I THINK THAT THOSE ARE
2:19:52REALLY GOOD SPACES AND PLACES
2:19:53FOR OUTREACH AND AS WELL AS,
2:19:56UM, BARBERSHOPS AND HAIR SALONS
2:19:57THAT'S LIKE THE GOLDMINE WHEN
2:19:59YOU'RE GETTING YOUR HAIR DONE.
2:20:00LIKE, YOU KNOW, IT'S ELECTION
2:20:02DAY, YOU MAY BE PUTTING UP SOME
2:20:04SIGNAGE IN SOME OF THESE SPACES
2:20:05AND PLACES.
2:20:06I KNOW ALL THAT TAKES TIME
2:20:07MONEY IN ENERGY BUT I DO THINK
2:20:10THAT THE MORE INTENTIONAL WE
2:20:11ARE ABOUT THE OUTREACH, UM, THE
2:20:14MORE ENTHUSIASTIC PEOPLE WILL
2:20:16BE ABOUT GOING OUT TO VOTE
2:20:17BECAUSE EVERYWHERE THEY GO
2:20:18PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT IT AND
2:20:19I THINK THAT'S THE LEVEL
2:20:21OF LIKE ENGAGEMENT THAT I'D
2:20:22LIKE TO SEE HERE IN BOSTON.
2:20:24AND I THINK WE ALL PLAY A ROLE
2:20:26IN HELPING THAT HAPPEN.
2:20:28AND.
2:20:30MY TIME RIGHT NOW.
2:20:32COUNSELOR, IF ANYTHING.
2:20:33ELSE.
2:20:34>> I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT
2:20:35VERY QUICKLY THAT THERE IS UH,
2:20:38NO ONE BETTER TO WORK WITH THAN
2:20:39KERRY JORDAN.
2:20:41UM, SO I THINK HE WILL BE A
2:20:43FANTASTIC PARTNER.
2:20:43WE HAD 20 DEPARTMENTS SHOW UP
2:20:46TO OUR UM, TABLETOP EXERCISE TO
2:20:49PLAN AND COORDINATE.
2:20:50UM AND ALSO WE RECENTLY ADDED
2:20:54NATALIA BENITEZ PEREZ WHO IS
2:20:55OUR FORMER DIRECTOR OF CIVIC
2:20:58ORGANIZING TO OUR STAFF.
2:20:59AND SO WE WANT TO BE ENGAGED
2:21:03AND MAKE SURE THAT UM, WE ARE
2:21:05WORKING CLOSELY WITH AS MANY
2:21:07PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE IN THE
2:21:08COMMUNITY TO MAKE OUR ELECTIONS
2:21:09A SUCCESS.
2:21:10YEAH.
2:21:10AND AND I'M CURIOUS YOU KNOW
2:21:14WHAT I HAVE SEEN HERE.
2:21:16IN MY TIME AND I'M LEARNING A
2:21:18LOT AS I GO.
2:21:19IS THAT YOU WERE REALLY GOOD
2:21:21AT.
2:21:21>> SAYING ALL OF THE BAD.
2:21:23THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING.
2:21:24WE'RE GOOD AT THAT.
2:21:26UM, BUT THIS WOULD.
2:21:27>> BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO.
2:21:28TALK ABOUT ALL OF THE AMAZING
2:21:29THINGS THAT YOU I KNOW YOU
2:21:30WROTE YOU YOU KNOW, LISTED LOTS
2:21:32OF REALLY GREAT NUMBERS BUT
2:21:34WHAT WOULD YOU WANT PEOPLE TO
2:21:35KNOW ABOUT THE.
2:21:36ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT AND THE
2:21:38STAFF THAT.
2:21:39>> WORKS.
2:21:39THERE.
2:21:40>> NOT JUST YOUR.
2:21:40OUTPUTS AND THE THINGS THAT YOU
2:21:41DO BUT JUST.
2:21:42LIKE REAL STUFF.
2:21:43I MEAN THOSE.
2:21:43>> ARE REAL.
2:21:44THINGS BUT LIKE WHAT DO YOU
2:21:45WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT.
2:21:46YOUR TEAM?
2:21:46I'LL START IN JUST SAY THE
2:21:48PASSION.
2:21:49IT'S LIKE WORKING WITH THE
2:21:51COUNCIL TO START AND SEEING THE
2:21:52PASSION THAT YOU GUYS PUT INTO
2:21:53THE WORK THAT YOU DO, BUT THEN
2:21:54JUST GOING THROUGH THE LAYERS
2:21:55AND LEVELS OF THIS BUILDING AND
2:21:56ALSO SEEING THAT REFLECTED BACK
2:21:57OUT UM THE TRAINING TEAM, THE
2:22:00POLL WORKER RECRUITMENT TEAM
2:22:01LIKE EVERY INDIVIDUAL THAT I'VE
2:22:03HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK
2:22:04WITH ON ON THE SECOND FLOOR IN
2:22:06AT THE WAREHOUSE LIKE IT'S A
2:22:07IT'S A HUGE OPERATION THAT YOU
2:22:09JUST CAN'T APPRECIATE UNTIL YOU
2:22:10SEE IT REAL TIME.
2:22:11SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO
2:22:12NOVEMBER.
2:22:13BUT THE WAY THE TEAM ROLLS UP
2:22:14THEIR SLEEVES AND WORK TOGETHER
2:22:16AND HIGH FIVES ON EACH OTHER
2:22:17IT'S REALLY AMAZING TO BE PART
2:22:19OF.
2:22:20SABINA, WOULD YOU LIKE.
2:22:21>> TO.
2:22:21THANK?
2:22:22>> I'D LIKE TO JUST ADD THAT
2:22:23ALL THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT
2:22:25WE REACH OUT TO FOR ASSISTANCE
2:22:27FOR HELP ON EARLY VOTING DAYS,
2:22:30OUR TEAM CAN'T DO IT ON OUR
2:22:32OWN.
2:22:33UM PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, BOSTON
2:22:34POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE FIRE
2:22:36CADETS UM EVERYTHING AND
2:22:39ANYTHING THAT THOSE CADETS DO
2:22:41TO HELP DELIVER ABSENTEE
2:22:42BALLOTS ON ELECTION DAY UM
2:22:44POLICE CADETS TO HELP THE
2:22:46POLICE OFFICERS COMING BACK
2:22:47HERE ON ELECTION NIGHT TO HELP
2:22:50UM THE BOXES BE REMOVED OUT
2:22:52OF VEHICLES.
2:22:52THERE'S SO MANY MOVING PIECES.
2:22:54THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE THAT DO
2:22:55HELP US AND WE JUST CAN'T DO IT
2:22:57ON EVERYONE AND WE APPRECIATE
2:22:58THAT.
2:22:59YEAH.
2:23:00>> AND I ALSO JUST WANT TO
2:23:01THANK YOUR ENTIRE TEAM I LOVE
2:23:02GOING DOWN THERE AND.
2:23:03>> BE LIKE HEY HOW Y'ALL DOING
2:23:05UM AND IT IS DEFINITELY OFTEN.
2:23:07TIMES WHEN THERE'S SO MUCH.
2:23:09UM IN THE NEWS AND JUST PEOPLE
2:23:11ALWAYS TARGETING.
2:23:13US UM IT IS.
2:23:14IT CAN BE SOMETIMES
2:23:16DEMORALIZING.
2:23:17UM, SO JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE
2:23:18HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE I SPEAK
2:23:20FOR MYSELF AND I KNOW
2:23:21COUNCILOR LOUIJEUNE, UM, THAT
2:23:23WE DEEPLY CARE AND ARE VERY
2:23:25GRATEFUL FOR THE AMOUNT OF TIME
2:23:27AND ENERGY THAT YOU ALL PUT TO
2:23:28MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE
2:23:29ACCESS.
2:23:30AND I THINK THAT MY COLLEAGUES
2:23:31THAT ARE NOT HERE TODAY UM,
2:23:33HOPEFULLY THEY'LL WATCH THIS
2:23:34AND REALIZE THE IMPORTANT WORK
2:23:37THAT YOU ALL ARE DOING AND
2:23:38SOMETIMES THINGS HAPPEN RIGHT?
2:23:40UM AND IT'S ALL GOOD TO FOLLOW
2:23:43A HEARING ORDER OR AN EMERGENCY
2:23:44THIS THAT OR THE.
2:23:45OTHER BUT AT.
2:23:46>> THE END OF THE DAY THE REAL
2:23:47WORK HAPPENS WHEN YOU FIGHT FOR
2:23:49THOSE DOLLARS THAT HELP SUPPORT
2:23:50YOU AND DOING YOUR JOB BETTER.
2:23:52AND THAT IS WHAT WHAT WE SHOULD
2:23:55BE REALLY MEASURING PEOPLE'S
2:23:56RHETORIC.
2:23:57>> ON.
2:23:57IS HOW MUCH MONEY THEY FIGHT
2:23:59FOR TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE
2:24:00THINGS DON'T HAPPEN AGAIN.
2:24:01AND THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT
2:24:02I'M GOING TO START PAYING
2:24:03ATTENTION TO AS WE CONTINUE TO
2:24:05HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS.
2:24:06SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
2:24:08THANK YOU MEJIA.
2:24:09AND I WANT TO ECHO HOW JUST
2:24:12YOUR THE ELECTIONS WHERE I'M A
2:24:13REALLY IS ONE OF ONE.
2:24:14AND HOW HARD EVERYONE WORKS.
2:24:16WHICH IS WHY I WAS YOU KNOW IT
2:24:17WAS REALLY UNFORTUNATE THAT THE
2:24:19PEOPLE BECAUSE PEOPLE ONLY PAY
2:24:20ATTENTION OR THE CAMERAS ONLY
2:24:22COME WHEN SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS
2:24:24AND UH, WE NEVER WANT THERE TO
2:24:27BE BALLOT SHORTAGES.
2:24:27WE NEVER WANT SOMEONE TO BE TO.
2:24:29CALL AND NOT GET THROUGH.
2:24:31BUT WE KNOW THAT MORE OFTEN
2:24:33THAN NOT.
2:24:34WHEN PEOPLE ARE CALLING THEY
2:24:35ARE GOING THROUGH IN THAT
2:24:36BALLOT.
2:24:36MORE OFTEN THAN NOT BALLOT
2:24:37PEOPLE ARE GETTING THE BALLOTS
2:24:38THAT.
2:24:38THEY NEED.
2:24:38>> BUT JUST.
2:24:40UM TO PIGGYBACK OFF OF THAT.
2:24:42HOW ARE WE ENSURING THAT.
2:24:44UH ONE OF THE ISSUES WAS THAT.
2:24:46PEOPLE COULDN'T REACH CITY HALL
2:24:47SO WHAT HAVE WE DONE TO ENSURE.
2:24:49>> THAT WHENEVER THERE'S A
2:24:49POLL.
2:24:50WORKER OR ANYBODY OUT IN
2:24:51COMMUNITY OR AT A POLLING
2:24:52LOCATION WHEN THEY NEED IT,
2:24:53WHAT WHAT ARE THE COMMUNICATION
2:24:54CHAINS NOT.
2:24:55TO MAKE SURE THAT CITY.
2:24:56HALL IS ALWAYS A SPECIAL.
2:24:57>> ON ELECTION DAY ACCESSIBLE.
2:25:00CAREY HELPED MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
2:25:01SO I THINK.
2:25:02YEAH I THINK WE HAVE A SECRET
2:25:04CHEAT CODE WITH WITH THE
2:25:05FRIENDS UP DO IT.
2:25:06YOU KNOW, UM THE WAY THAT THEY
2:25:08COME TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT
2:25:09THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGIES KIND
2:25:10OF SET UP IN PLACE AND THEN THE
2:25:12AGAIN CALLING ON OUR FRIENDS
2:25:13HERE IN THE BUILDING WHO
2:25:14STAFFED THESE CALL CENTERS AND
2:25:16YOU KNOW, TAPPING IN 311 AND
2:25:18AND JUST IT'S A REALLY HUGE
2:25:21OPERATION YOU KNOW AND IT GETS
2:25:23UNDER APPRECIATED BUT BEING
2:25:24ABLE TO WORK IN ADVANCE TO
2:25:26PROCESS THE FEEDBACK LOOK AT
2:25:27SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT THAT WE
2:25:29IDENTIFIED IN THE COOKBOOKS AND
2:25:30THEN ADJUST OUR TRAININGS
2:25:31ACCORDINGLY TO MAKE SURE THAT,
2:25:32YOU KNOW, THEY DON'T HAVE TO
2:25:34CALL IN FIRST PLACE BUT THEN
2:25:35UTILIZING THE TECHNOLOGY TO,
2:25:37YOU KNOW, SEND OUT THE
2:25:38COMMUNICATION ALERTS TO MAKE
2:25:39SURE WE KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON
2:25:40IN.
2:25:40REAL TIME.
2:25:41>> SPEAKING OF AND THESE ARE
2:25:42JUST SOME RAPID FRY SOME
2:25:43QUESTIONS THAT I.
2:25:43>> HAVE THAT.
2:25:44UH WHAT ARE SOME UH.
2:25:46UH WE LOVE THAT I'LL TRY AND
2:25:48POP UP.
2:25:48>> SOME AND SAY THAT AGAIN.
2:25:49BUT WHAT IS THE BACK UP IN
2:25:50CASE.
2:25:50YOU KNOW.
2:25:52>> WI-FI GOES OUT OR IN CASE
2:25:53THERE'S SOME OTHER.
2:25:56UM OR.
2:25:58KNOCK ON WOOD.
2:26:00UM, SO WE STILL RELY ON THE
2:26:02PAPER COPIES TO MAKE SURE THAT
2:26:03WE HAVE WITH A REDUNDANCY PLAN
2:26:05UM, YOU KNOW, THE POP UPS HAVE
2:26:07BEEN GREAT.
2:26:08WE CONTINUE TO EVALUATE THEM,
2:26:09WE CAN SEE ENERGY LEVEL.
2:26:11WE CAN SEE SO MANY THINGS WITH
2:26:12THOSE DEVICES.
2:26:12SO I THINK THAT AND THEN ON TOP
2:26:14OF THAT I BELIEVE THE ROVING
2:26:15TEAM WHO CIRCLE IN THE
2:26:17COMMUNITY ON ELECTION DAY HAS
2:26:19BACKUP SO WE CAN WE CAN ADDRESS
2:26:21THEM AS THEY HAPPEN.
2:26:22UM, SO WE'VE LEARNED A LOT
2:26:24OF LESSONS OVER THE YEARS, YOU
2:26:26KNOW, AND THEY SHOULDN'T BE
2:26:27UNDERSTATED.
2:26:28I THINK THAT SOME OF THE THINGS
2:26:29THAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST ARE
2:26:30THINGS THAT THE PAST WE
2:26:31CONTINUE TO LEARN FROM THEM AND
2:26:32GROW FROM THEM AND UM, ENGAGE
2:26:34THE COMMUNITY IN THE RIGHT WAY
2:26:35SO THAT WE CAN, YOU KNOW, MAKE
2:26:36A BETTER EXPERIENCE FOR ALL.
2:26:37OKAY.
2:26:38>> MICHAEL SULLIVAN CONTINUES
2:26:39TO BE THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S
2:26:40DESIGNEE.
2:26:41CORRECT.
2:26:42>> THANKS.
2:26:42>> YEAH.
2:26:43UM.
2:26:44AND HAS THERE BEEN ANY
2:26:46COMMUNICATION RECENTLY ABOUT
2:26:47ANYTHING.
2:26:48PERTINENT THAT THE BODY SHOULD
2:26:50BE AWARE OF OR.
2:26:51OR DO WE FEEL LIKE THAT THERE
2:26:52IS THAT THIS WILL BE THE LAST
2:26:53ELECTION WHERE WE SORT OF.
2:26:54HAVE THAT.
2:26:55>> DESIGNEE RELATIONSHIP WITH
2:26:56THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S
2:26:57OFFICE.
2:26:58SO AS THE COMMISSIONER
2:26:59MENTIONED, JUST JUST OUR
2:27:01PARTICIPATION IN THE YOU KNOW,
2:27:02IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S
2:27:03HOSTED EVENTS, THE UH
2:27:06CONFERENCE THAT WE ATTENDED
2:27:07LAST WEEK UM IT'S JUST ONE
2:27:08OF THOSE THINGS THAT SHOWS
2:27:09THAT, YOU KNOW, EVEN IF THEY GO
2:27:10AWAY, WE'RE STILL TRYING TO
2:27:11MAKE SURE WE'RE MAKING THE
2:27:13RIGHT RELATIONSHIP SO THAT AS
2:27:14THINGS ARISE, YOU KNOW, THEY
2:27:15CAN REACH OUT AND CONTACT US.
2:27:17WE HAVEN'T HAD THE CONVERSATION
2:27:18AS FAR AS MOVING FORWARD
2:27:19BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T HIT THAT
2:27:20DEADLINE JUST YET.
2:27:21WHAT IS THE DEADLINE.
2:27:22THE END OF THE YEAR?
2:27:23THE END OF THE YEAR?
2:27:24OKAY.
2:27:25SO YOU KNOW AT THE AT THAT TIME
2:27:27WE'LL HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS
2:27:28HOPEFULLY WE'VE WE'VE DONE ALL
2:27:29THAT'S NECESSARY BUT WE'LL
2:27:30CONTINUE TO CAPTURE THAT
2:27:31FEEDBACK AND LEARN FROM THE
2:27:32NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES AND SET
2:27:34UP THE RIGHT UM, PROTOCOLS THAT
2:27:35CONTINUE TO ENFORCE THE WORK
2:27:37THAT WE.
2:27:38ALREADY DO.
2:27:38OKAY.
2:27:39>> UM DO.
2:27:40>> THE ELECTIONS.
2:27:40GROUP REVIEW DAVID KING'S 2027
2:27:44BLUEPRINT?
2:27:44YES THEY DID.
2:27:45AND WITH THE 2025 REQUEST FOR
2:27:47THE.
2:27:48FIRM'S CONTRACT AND.
2:27:49COMPARABLE CITY WORK.
2:27:50ANSWERED I'M SORRY.
2:27:54THERE WAS UH I THINK THERE WERE
2:27:56A REQUEST FROM 2025.
2:27:57>> FOR THE FIRM'S CONTRACT AND
2:27:59COMPARABLE CITY WORK.
2:28:01OH, UM, I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH
2:28:03YOU AFTERWARDS, COUNSELOR.
2:28:04OKAY.
2:28:04MAKE SURE WE SEND MATERIALS.
2:28:06>> ALL RIGHT.
2:28:06THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
2:28:07THOSE ARE.
2:28:08I THINK THE MAIN QUESTIONS.
2:28:10THAT, UM, I HAVE ON MY.
2:28:12END.
2:28:13>> I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU.
2:28:14OH.
2:28:15>> COUNCILMEMBER HERE COMES TO
2:28:16MEJIA HAS ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.
2:28:17I WAS WAITING FOR.
2:28:18YES OKAY.
2:28:18SECOND ROUND JUST.
2:28:20>> OKAY OKAY.
2:28:21I JUST HAD.
2:28:23UM.
2:28:24>> THREE QUESTIONS.
2:28:25OKAY.
2:28:26UM, CAN YOU JUST PLEASE DISCUSS
2:28:27HOW YOU DISTRIBUTE MULTILINGUAL
2:28:29BALLOTS, UM, TO EACH POLLING
2:28:30LOCATION?
2:28:31LIKE HOW DO YOU DETERMINE YOU
2:28:32KNOW HOW MANY AND WHICH SITES
2:28:34GET WHICH LANGUAGES I'M GOING
2:28:36TO ASSUME THAT'S LIKE DEPENDING
2:28:37ON THE LANGUAGES SPOKEN ROLLS
2:28:39RIGHT.
2:28:40THAT'S HOW YOU DO IT THERE.
2:28:43SO THERE IS UM THERE IS A
2:28:46FEDERAL REQUIREMENT UM FOR
2:28:51VIETNAMESE UM AND CHINESE THERE
2:28:54IS A FORMULA THAT WE USED BASED
2:28:56ON SURNAMES.
2:28:56THAT'S WHAT'S PRESCRIBED BY THE
2:28:58FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
2:28:59UM, BUT WE PROVIDE UH LANGUAGES
2:29:04UM, BASED ON THAT FORMULA.
2:29:07UM, THERE IS I THINK WHEN WE
2:29:11GOT CALLS FROM OUR POLL WORKERS
2:29:13ON ELECTION DAY THIS PAST
2:29:15SEPTEMBER THEY SAID UH, SOME
2:29:17OF THE WORDING SAID WELL, THE
2:29:20FEDERAL MONITORS ARE HERE AND
2:29:21WE WERE SO PROUD OF OUR
2:29:23LANGUAGE ACCESS BECAUSE MORE
2:29:25THAN JUST PROVIDING THE
2:29:27LANGUAGE IN THOSE UH, THE
2:29:29BALLOTS IN THOSE LANGUAGES WE
2:29:31HAVE INTERPRETERS ON HAND, WE
2:29:33HAVE OUR AUTOMATIC MACHINES AND
2:29:35SO WE GO ABOVE AND BEYOND THE
2:29:37REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSIBILITY
2:29:38AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO MAKE
2:29:40EFFORTS THERE.
2:29:41GREAT.
2:29:41>> UM, AND YOU KNOW, POLICE
2:29:44ARE.
2:29:44OFTEN SEEN AT POLLING SITES AND
2:29:47UM AND WHICH WHICH YOU KNOW,
2:29:49ONE WE BELIEVE THAT REQUIRES
2:29:52EXTRA OFFICERS TO BE ON DUTY
2:29:54THAT DAY AND.
2:29:55LIKELY REQUIRE MORE OVERTIME.
2:29:57AND YOU KNOW, WE'RE ON A BUDGET
2:29:59UM, SO I'M JUST CURIOUS, UM,
2:30:01COULD INDIVIDUALS LIKE CIVILIAN
2:30:03FLAGGERS.
2:30:04OR OTHERS PLAY THIS ROLE
2:30:06INSTEAD?
2:30:09WE'LL TAKE IT UNDER
2:30:11CONSIDERATION.
2:30:11I DON'T KNOW ENOUGH TO SAY YES.
2:30:13I BELIEVE THERE'S CERTAIN LIKE
2:30:14CHAIN OF CUSTODY PIECES THAT
2:30:16MIGHT MIGHT REQUIRE IT BUT I
2:30:19COULD TURN TO HE.
2:30:20>> MAY HAVE, UH.
2:30:20I BELIEVE THE CITY ORDINANCE
2:30:22REQUIRES A BOSTON POLICE
2:30:23OFFICER TO BE STATIONED AT THE
2:30:25CHECKOUT TABLE TO MONITOR THE
2:30:28CHECKOUT LIST.
2:30:29SO MAYBE WE COULD UPDATE THE
2:30:31ORDINANCE AND AMEND IT SO THAT
2:30:33WE CAN REFLECT THAT MAYBE I.
2:30:36DON'T KNOW.
2:30:36MAYBE THE.
2:30:37LEGAL EAGLES CAN ADVISE US, UM
2:30:39,ACCORDINGLY BUT WHO KNOWS?
2:30:41I JUST THINK THAT THE MORE
2:30:42PATHWAYS.
2:30:43THAT WE CAN CREATE FOR, UM,
2:30:46STRENGTHENING OPPORTUNITIES.
2:30:47FOR OTHER FOLKS.
2:30:49>> WILL BE GREAT.
2:30:50UM.
2:30:50I DON'T KNOW.
2:30:51>> THAT SOMETHING WORTH LOOKING
2:30:52INTO.
2:30:53UM, AND.
2:30:54THEN WHAT LOGISTICAL.
2:30:55AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES DOES
2:30:56THE ELECTION DEPARTMENT
2:30:58STRUGGLE WITH THE MOST?
2:31:00UM.
2:31:01AND THEN I'M JUST.
2:31:02CURIOUS CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN
2:31:04CENTRAL TABULATION AND WHY THE
2:31:06CITY DOES IT THE WAY THAT IT
2:31:08DOES, ESPECIALLY WITH.
2:31:09>> THE WAY IT POSTS.
2:31:11UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS
2:31:13ONLINE?
2:31:13JUST IF YOU CAN HELP
2:31:15ME UNDERSTAND THAT A.
2:31:16LITTLE BIT.
2:31:17>> SO THAT'S A THAT'S A.
2:31:18BIG TWO PARTER.
2:31:20UM I WILL ADDRESS THE THE FIRST
2:31:21PART HERE UM IN TERMS
2:31:24OF LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES UM
2:31:26HIRING WE AIM FOR 2000 POLL
2:31:29WORKERS AND WE UM HAVE TO PLACE
2:31:32THEM AND TRAIN THEM ALL ACROSS
2:31:34THE CITY.
2:31:35SO THAT IS ALWAYS AN ONGOING
2:31:38CHALLENGE.
2:31:38UM, ONE THING I WOULD POINT OUT
2:31:40IS THAT SHOULD WE ASK THE POLL
2:31:43WORKERS TO DO MORE, SHOULD WE
2:31:45WANT TO IMPLEMENT NEW TRAINING?
2:31:47UH, THEN WE HAVE TO SCHEDULE
2:31:49ANOTHER TRAINING SESSION FOR
2:31:522000 PEOPLE AND IT'S PAID SO
2:31:54THERE'S A $20 FOR A TRAINING
2:31:57ACROSS 2000 PEOPLE.
2:31:59ON THE $20.
2:32:01THAT'S IT.
2:32:02WELL, THERE'S A STIPEND FOR
2:32:03WORKING ON ELECTION DAY AND
2:32:05THEN YOU GET PAID PER TRAINING
2:32:07BUT IT NO NO ONE DOES IT.
2:32:09$20 $30.
2:32:11EXCUSE ME.
2:32:12HOW LONG IS THE TRAINING?
2:32:14TWO AND A HALF TO THREE HOURS.
2:32:18MAYBE OKAY.
2:32:19I WOULD INCREASE THAT MAYBE TO
2:32:21$50 OR SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW
2:32:23COME.
2:32:23>> SEE YOU FOR THE.
2:32:24NEXT BUT I'M GOING TO LISTEN
2:32:25Y'ALL LIKE I KNOW FOR ME I'M
2:32:26ALWAYS ON A BUDGET.
2:32:27COME IN $20 $30 AND COME ALL
2:32:30THE WAY DOWN TO CITY HALL.
2:32:31IS IT VIRTUAL?
2:32:31YOU GOT TO BE IN.
2:32:32>> YOUR IN PERSON TWO THAT'S
2:32:33PARKING YOU HAVE.
2:32:34>> TO PAY FOR.
2:32:34THERE'S A LOT OF BARRIERS.
2:32:36THAT WE'RE PUTTING ON TO PEOPLE
2:32:38PARTICIPATING HERE.
2:32:38SO I.
2:32:39>> LISTEN I'M NOT TRYING TO
2:32:40CHANGE EVERYTHING BUT I THINK
2:32:41THERE IS SOME WORTH.
2:32:43US MAYBE Y'ALL CAN DO IT IN THE
2:32:46DISTRICTS AND MAYBE Y'ALL COULD
2:32:49BE THE ONES TO GO TO WHERE THE
2:32:50PEOPLE.
2:32:50>> ARE AT, UM.
2:32:52AND TRAIN THEM THERE, MAYBE DO
2:32:54REGIONAL TRAININGS AND FOR
2:32:57PIZZA.
2:32:59NO I'M SERIOUS.
2:33:01I I THINK THAT WOULD BE A BIG.
2:33:02DRAW.
2:33:04I KNOW I WOULD SHOW UP, I'M
2:33:05GETTING FED AND I DON'T HAVE TO
2:33:07GET ON THE TRAIN TO COME TO
2:33:08CITY HALL.
2:33:09FOR 2.5 HOURS.
2:33:11I THINK WE SHOULD CHANGE THE
2:33:12WAY Y'ALL DO THAT.
2:33:13I'M GONNA PUT AN ORDINANCE FOR
2:33:15THAT.
2:33:15>> AS WELL.
2:33:16HOW YOU FEEL.
2:33:16>> ABOUT THAT?
2:33:17>> SO WE'LL UM.
2:33:19NOW ALL JOKES ASIDE, I REALLY.
2:33:20>> DO.
2:33:21BELIEVE AS SOMEONE WHO'S.
2:33:22>> ALL ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT
2:33:23PEOPLE PARTICIPATE NOT JUST IN
2:33:25ELECTORAL POLITICS BUT JUST IN
2:33:27THEIR OWN.
2:33:27LIVES.
2:33:28>> I THINK THAT THE MORE THAT
2:33:29WE CAN DO TO MAKE IT EASIER
2:33:31FOR.
2:33:31FOLKS.
2:33:32>> YOU CAN DO THE TRAINING
2:33:33VIRTUALLY OBVIOUSLY NOT BECAUSE
2:33:34YOU HAVE TO SEE THE MACHINES OR
2:33:37YOU KNOW, WE DO SOME TRAININGS
2:33:39VIRTUALLY OKAY.
2:33:41AND SO YES WE DO AND IT DEPENDS
2:33:45ON WHETHER YOU'RE A NEW OR
2:33:46RETURNING POLL WORKER, WHETHER
2:33:48OR NOT YOU'VE USED THE
2:33:49EQUIPMENT BEFORE.
2:33:51UM WE DO HAVE UH VIRTUAL
2:33:54OPTIONS I WOULD SAY IN TERMS
2:33:56OF THE WAY THAT WE DO CENTRAL
2:33:58TAB THAT'S GOVERNED BY STATE
2:34:00LAW AND SO THAT YOU KNOW,
2:34:02THAT'S REALLY THE DRIVING FORCE
2:34:04BEHIND THE WAY THAT WE RUN THE
2:34:06CENTRAL TAB.
2:34:07UM, IT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
2:34:10AND OPEN TO OBSERVERS.
2:34:12SO YOU KNOW, I THINK UH THIS
2:34:13PAST SEPTEMBER'S MEETS WOULD BE
2:34:15YOU KNOW, THE ELECTION STAFF
2:34:17AND UM, UH A HUGE NUMBER
2:34:20OF ATTORNEYS FROM CAMPAIGNS AND
2:34:22THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE
2:34:23AND OTHERWISE BUT BECAUSE IT'S
2:34:25SO PUBLIC UM, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE
2:34:28TO DO IT EXACTLY THE WAY THE
2:34:29STATE LAW SAYS.
2:34:30AND UH, GO.
2:34:31AHEAD AND JUST ADD ONE OTHER
2:34:32BARRIER THAT WE DO HAVE.
2:34:33YEAH.
2:34:34AND IT WAS DISCUSSED IN THE
2:34:35PREVIOUS PANEL IS THE CENSUS.
2:34:37UM, UH WE TALK A LOT ABOUT
2:34:39VOTERS AND VOTERS COMING OUT TO
2:34:40VOTE BUT PEOPLE NEED TO RESPOND
2:34:42TO THE CENSUS.
2:34:42THAT IS A HUGE BARRIER THAT WE
2:34:44HAVE EVERY YEAR.
2:34:45YEAH.
2:34:46>> YEAH THAT'S.
2:34:47YEAH UH YEAH I.
2:34:49AGREE UH I'LL JUST.
2:34:51UM SAY ONE LAST THING IS.
2:34:52THAT IN.
2:34:53REGARDS I.
2:34:54>> KNOW I WAS JOKINGLY MAKING
2:34:56REFERENCE TO UM GETTING FOLKS
2:34:59MORE ENGAGED.
2:35:00I THINK THAT SOME OF THE POLL
2:35:01WORKERS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN
2:35:02TRAINED COULD TAKE ON SOME MORE
2:35:04LEADERSHIP ROLE.
2:35:05UM, AND YOU CAN CREATE LIKE A
2:35:07LITTLE PIPELINE AND MAYBE THEY
2:35:09COULD HELP DO SOME OF THE
2:35:11TRAININGS.
2:35:12HAVE YOU BEEN IN OUR MEETINGS,
2:35:13COUNSELOR?
2:35:15NO I'M NOT.
2:35:16DOING THAT NOW.
2:35:17Y'ALL Y'ALL DOING THAT NOW.
2:35:18YES THAT'S GREAT BECAUSE WHAT
2:35:20THAT DOES IS THAT GIVES.
2:35:21THEM SOME LEADERSHIP
2:35:23DEVELOPMENT AND ALSO THEY CAN
2:35:26DO IT IN THEIR.
2:35:27OWN UM DISTRICT AND THEY COULD
2:35:30HOST THE TRAINING AND LEAD IT
2:35:32AND THAT COULD BE LESS UM
2:35:35ANOTHER WAY TO REMOVE THE
2:35:36BARRIERS SO YOU KNOW, JUST MORE
2:35:39THINGS THAT YOU.
2:35:39CAN ASK.
2:35:40>> FOR.
2:35:40MORE MONEY.
2:35:41IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET TO.
2:35:42MAKE IT ALL HAPPEN.
2:35:44UM BUT YEAH I'M NOT GOING TO
2:35:45GIVE YOU ALL MORE THINGS AND.
2:35:46>> THEN I.
2:35:47NOT YOU KNOW, BUT.
2:35:48>> IF.
2:35:48YOU IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT I
2:35:49CAN.
2:35:49>> DO TO BE HELPFUL, PLEASE.
2:35:50KNOW THAT.
2:35:51I'M HERE FOR ALL OF IT AND
2:35:52THANK YOU, THANK.
2:35:53>> YOU.
2:35:54THANK YOU.
2:35:55COUNCILOR MEJIA.
2:35:55THE ONE THING THAT I WILL SAY
2:35:57AND SORRY WE.
2:35:58HAVE ENTERED THE PART OF THE
2:35:59CHAT.
2:35:59WHERE IT'S LIKE YOU'RE JUST
2:36:00ASKING QUESTIONS BUT
2:36:02COUNCILMAN HE DID MENTION AND I
2:36:03THINK I SAW YOU DO IT.
2:36:04CARRY LIKE MORE VISUALS.
2:36:07UM, AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE
2:36:09REALLY HELPFUL.
2:36:09I SAW YOU.
2:36:10DO A REALLY GREAT VISUAL WHEN
2:36:11IT CAME TO.
2:36:12ELECTION DAY.
2:36:13I WAS EARLY VOTING.
2:36:14YOU KNOW WE NEED TO MAKE SURE
2:36:15WE ARE POPPING UP EARLY VOTING
2:36:17AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
2:36:18UM.
2:36:19>> BUT I.
2:36:19>> THINK THAT THAT.
2:36:20WOULD BE MORE HELPFUL.
2:36:21>> YOU KNOW, AND WE SAID TEND
2:36:22TO RELY HEAVILY ON SOCIAL MEDIA
2:36:25BUT ALSO NOT EVERYONE IS SOCIAL
2:36:27MEDIA IS ON SOCIAL.
2:36:28>> MEDIA SO WE ACTUALLY CAN'T
2:36:29THINK THAT WE'RE.
2:36:29DOING THE.
2:36:30>> JOB JUST BECAUSE OF WHAT'S.
2:36:31HAPPENING ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
2:36:33SO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO THINK
2:36:34ABOUT OTHER WAYS, UM, TO UH
2:36:37CONNECT.
2:36:37>> WITH PEOPLE.
2:36:38I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU,
2:36:39SABINO.
2:36:40YOU WERE MY CHIEF OF STAFF,
2:36:41EMILY'S FIRST CITY HALL
2:36:43EMPLOYEE EVER THAT SHE MET AND.
2:36:45UM, UH.
2:36:46SHE JUST WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER
2:36:48YOU GIVING JUST SUCH A GREAT
2:36:50IMPRESSION OF WHAT IT MEANS TO
2:36:52WORK FOR THE CITY OF BOSTON.
2:36:53YET SHE DIDN'T WORK FOR THE
2:36:54CITY OF BOSTON WHEN SHE FIRST
2:36:55MET YOU AND SHE'S NOW BEEN
2:36:56HERE.
2:36:57SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT SHE'S
2:36:58IMPRINTED ON OUR MINDS.
2:36:59SO THANK YOU FOR BEING A GREAT
2:37:01REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY, UM
2:37:02,AND OF CARING SO DEEPLY ABOUT
2:37:03OUR ELECTIONS AND MAKING SURE
2:37:05THAT THEY RUN AS THEY SHOULD.
2:37:07COUNCILOR, WE, UM, HAVE PUT OUT
2:37:10BILLBOARDS UM, AS KERRY
2:37:13MENTIONED.
2:37:13UM, AND WE ARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA
2:37:15BUT UH, SHOULD THERE BE EVENTS,
2:37:18UM, THAT YOU THINK IT'S
2:37:19APPROPRIATE FOR THE DEPARTMENT
2:37:20TO TALK NONPARTISAN ABOUT, UH,
2:37:23THE ELECTION?
2:37:24UH, PLEASE, UH, DO LET US KNOW
2:37:27WHERE AVAILABLE TO YOU AND
2:37:29WOULD LOVE TO ENGAGE WITH THE
2:37:30COMMUNITY.
2:37:30YEAH, I THINK THAT WOULD BE
2:37:31GREAT.
2:37:32ESPECIALLY AT OUR SCHOOLS
2:37:33ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE TALKING
2:37:34ABOUT PRE-REGISTRATION AT THE
2:37:35AGE OF 1617.
2:37:36SO YEAH, I WOULD DEFINITELY
2:37:37THINK ABOUT THAT AND I KNOW MY
2:37:38COLLEAGUES WILL.
2:37:39AS WELL THINK ABOUT HOW TO
2:37:40INTEGRATE WE I SEE YOU I DO.
2:37:42SEE THE DEPARTMENT OUT.
2:37:43IN COMMUNITY.
2:37:44UM WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT
2:37:45BETTER WAYS OF LIKE INTEGRATING
2:37:47THAT MAKE CENTERING YOU MORE SO
2:37:48YEAH THANK YOU.
2:37:49WE WILL COMMISSION WE WILL TAKE
2:37:51THAT INTO UNDER ADVISEMENT.
2:37:52COUNSELOR LOUIJEUNE I JUST DO
2:37:55WANT TO MENTION THAT WE DO UM,
2:37:57STUDENT REGISTRATIONS IN ALL
2:37:58THE HIGH SCHOOLS ACROSS THE
2:37:59CITY USUALLY STARTING IN THE
2:38:01MONTH OF JANUARY LEADING UP
2:38:03UNTIL GRADUATION DAY.
2:38:05UM, COMMISSIONER ROONEY LEADS
2:38:07THAT EFFORT AND SHE GATHERS
2:38:09MANY, MANY REGISTRATIONS FROM
2:38:11PRE REGISTRANTS UP UNTIL UM,
2:38:14STUDENTS THAT CAN VOTE UP IN
2:38:16THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS.
2:38:17SO WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE
2:38:18ACTUALLY LIKE AS THE ELECTION
2:38:20DEPARTMENT.
2:38:20GOING INTO.
2:38:21>> SCHOOLS AND THEIR TABLES
2:38:22WITH REGISTRATION DRIVES.
2:38:24YES WE WE MEET WITH THE LEADERS
2:38:25OF THE SCHOOLS.
2:38:26THEY INFORM THE PARENTS OF THE
2:38:29STUDENTS THAT THIS IS HAPPENING
2:38:30SO THAT THEY HAVE THE PROPER
2:38:31MATERIALS LIKE THE PREVIOUS
2:38:33PANELISTS SAID, THEY DON'T HAVE
2:38:34THE LAST DIGITS OF THEIR SOCIAL
2:38:36THEY DON'T HAVE AN I.D..
2:38:37THEY'RE READY.
2:38:38>> TO GO AND THEY'RE READY TO
2:38:39SIGN UP THE DAY THAT WE ARE
2:38:40THERE TO HAVE THESE EVENTS UM,
2:38:43CERTAIN SCHOOLS OBVIOUSLY HAVE
2:38:44A BIGGER TURNOUT AND MORE
2:38:47PARTICIPATION THAN OTHER
2:38:48STUDENTS BECAUSE OF THEIR
2:38:50POPULATION, BUT THEY ALL
2:38:52WELCOME US UM, UH, THROUGHOUT
2:38:54THE YEAR TO TO TO REGISTER
2:38:56FOLKS.
2:38:56NOT ONLY ARE WE DOING THAT BUT
2:38:58WE ALSO HAVE A STUDENT POLL
2:38:59WORKER PROGRAM.
2:39:00WE HAVE POLL.
2:39:01WORKERS STUDENTS IN.
2:39:04TO BECOME.
2:39:05POLL WORKERS FOR THE STATE
2:39:08ELECTION.
2:39:09UM THE I BELIEVE LAST ELECTION
2:39:11UM LAST NOVEMBER WE HAD CLOSE
2:39:14TO 75 POLL WORKERS THAT WERE
2:39:15STUDENTS.
2:39:16IT'S A PAID POSITION.
2:39:18UH, THEY COULD WORK HALF THE
2:39:19DAY IF THEY'RE UNDER UNDER 18,
2:39:22BUT IF THEY ARE 18 OR OVER THEY
2:39:24CAN WILL WORK THE FULL DAY WITH
2:39:26PROPER UM.
2:39:28UM UM.
2:39:29SO WHAT I WANT TO USE UM.
2:39:31FOR PARENTAL.
2:39:32UH, PARENTAL UH, AGREEMENT AND
2:39:34SCHOOL UM ADVISEMENT FROM THAT
2:39:36SO THAT SYSTEM IS ALREADY IN
2:39:38PLACE AND WE HAVE BEEN.
2:39:39>> DOING THAT FOR AND AND TO BE
2:39:40YOU KNOW, JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY
2:39:44I WHAT PORTION PROPORTION
2:39:46OF OUR ELECTION DEPARTMENT
2:39:48STAFF ARE FORMER STUDENT POLL
2:39:50WORKERS?
2:39:52UM THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION
2:39:53BECAUSE SOME OF OUR OUR PART
2:39:55TIME STAFF, OUR STUDENT POLL
2:39:57WORKERS THAT ARE WILLING TO
2:39:58COME IN AND HELP DURING
2:40:00ELECTIONS DURING OUR CENSUS
2:40:02SEASON.
2:40:02UM.
2:40:03>> AND ARE WILLING TO DO MORE
2:40:05UM TO PARTICIPATE IN ELECTIONS
2:40:07SO WE HAVE BEEN IN THE
2:40:08COMMUNITY TO TRY TO DO THIS AND
2:40:10WILL CONTINUE TO DO THIS MOVING
2:40:11FORWARD.
2:40:12THANK YOU.
2:40:13I ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU I MEAN I
2:40:14DON'T KNOW IF IT'S YOU OR IF
2:40:15IT'S THE SCHOOLS TO MAKE SURE
2:40:15THAT THEY'RE WORKING WITH LIKE
2:40:16THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT BODY OR
2:40:17WHATEVER.
2:40:19SO WHATEVER THE NAME IS.
2:40:21UM I THINK THAT'S CALLED
2:40:22DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT
2:40:23SCHOOLS.
2:40:23BUT IT'S A COLLABORATION WITH
2:40:26US IN THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT TO
2:40:27DO THIS TOGETHER.
2:40:28AND SO I JUST HOPE THAT LIKE
2:40:29THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
2:40:30>> IS NOT IT'S NOT JUST AN
2:40:31ADULT RUN THING THAT THEY'RE
2:40:32ALSO LIKE ENGAGING THE.
2:40:33STUDENTS WHO WOULD.
2:40:34BE MOST.
2:40:35INCLINED TO LEAD ON THIS AS
2:40:36WELL.
2:40:37SO AWESOME.
2:40:37WELL THANK YOU SO MUCH.
2:40:40TO THIS PANEL.
2:40:41>> WE REALLY.
2:40:42UM RESPECT THE WORK THAT YOU
2:40:43DO.
2:40:43UH THERE ARE.
2:40:44>> ALWAYS GROWING PAINS AND
2:40:45CHANGES AND SOMETIMES UH WE
2:40:47TAKE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AS
2:40:48WHAT THEY ARE TO IMPROVE.
2:40:50SO REALLY GRATEFUL FOR YOU.
2:40:51UM, I KNOW WE DIDN'T TALK.
2:40:53>> ABOUT.
2:40:53IT, BUT I KNOW THAT THIS IS AN
2:40:54ELECTION DEPARTMENT THAT WOULD
2:40:55BE READY.
2:40:55TO IMPLEMENT.
2:40:56ELECTION DAY VOTER REGISTRATION
2:40:58SHOULD IT BE PLACED ON THE
2:41:00BALLOT AND IMPLEMENTED FOR 2028
2:41:02WE FEEL GOOD ABOUT THAT.
2:41:04WE BELIEVE IN OUR ABILITY TO
2:41:06IMPLEMENT ANY LAW THAT'S.
2:41:07PASSED.
2:41:08>> AND I BELIEVE IN YOUR
2:41:09ABILITY TO DO THAT AS WELL.
2:41:10THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
2:41:11AND ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR
2:41:12FRIDAY.
2:41:12THANK YOU COUNCIL.
2:41:13THANK YOU.
2:41:14WE HAVE ONE MORE PERSON SIGNED
2:41:17UP FOR UH PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
2:41:18I'M NOT.
2:41:19>> SURE IF THERE'S ANYONE.
2:41:20VIRTUALLY THERE'S NO ONE
2:41:22VIRTUALLY WE HAVE ONE MORE
2:41:23PERSON SIGNED UP FOR, UH,
2:41:24PUBLIC TESTIMONY AND THAT.
2:41:25IS, UH.
2:41:25>> SOMEONE WHO IS NO STRANGER
2:41:26HERE.
2:41:27UM, ED SHOEMAKER, UH, FROM
2:41:29VOTER CHOICE MASSACHUSETTS AND
2:41:31IN DORCHESTER.
2:41:31UH, ED, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR AND
2:41:34YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.
2:41:37AND A FORMER COMMISSIONER.
2:41:38AS I SAID, NO STRANGER TO THIS
2:41:40ANYONE?
2:41:40YES.
2:41:41>> UM, I KNOW IT'S LIKE 80
2:41:42DEGREES OUT ON A FRIDAY.
2:41:44SO I KNOW WE ALL WANT TO HEAD
2:41:46FOR THE EXIT, BUT I QUICKLY
2:41:47WANTED TO THANK THE STAFF FOR
2:41:49KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON.
2:41:50THANK THE COUNSELOR FOR ALL THE
2:41:52GREAT WORK THAT YOU ALL HAVE
2:41:54DONE UH, WITH RANKED CHOICE
2:41:55VOTING, HOME RULE.
2:41:56PETITION AND FOR DEMOCRACY UM
2:41:58VOTER CHOICE MASSACHUSETTS
2:42:00ENDORSES THE QUESTION YES ON
2:42:01FOR ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION
2:42:03AS SOMEBODY WHO'S DONE A LOT
2:42:04OF UH, VOTER REGISTRATION I'VE
2:42:06BEEN CONSISTENTLY FRUSTRATED UH
2:42:08,ON MOVING DAY WHERE YOU TRY
2:42:09TO REGISTER PEOPLE TO VOTE WE
2:42:10JUST MOVED OR ENTERED THE CITY
2:42:12AND THEY ARE NOW UNABLE TO
2:42:14PARTICIPATE UH, IN THE UPCOMING
2:42:15ELECTION THIS YEAR IT WAS VERY
2:42:17CRITICAL WITH THE ELECTION
2:42:18ACTUALLY HAPPENING ON SEPTEMBER
2:42:191ST, WHICH WAS THE ACTUAL
2:42:20MOVING DAY, WHICH WAS VERY
2:42:22FRUSTRATING FOR A LOT OF FOLKS
2:42:23MOVING INTO THE CITY.
2:42:25UM, I MEAN THIS IS AMERICA,
2:42:27RIGHT?
2:42:27WE WE ENGAGE IN DEMOCRACY.
2:42:29WE ENGAGE IN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
2:42:31UH, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO VOTE.
2:42:32YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE THIS
2:42:33ARBITRARY SORT OF, UM, RULE
2:42:35THAT, YOU KNOW, DEEMS YOU, UH,
2:42:38AN OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE VOTER
2:42:40INELIGIBLE.
2:42:41UM.
2:42:42SO OTHER THAN THAT.
2:42:43I WANT TO SAY THAT, UH, I THANK
2:42:44EVERYTHING THAT THE COUNCIL HAS
2:42:46BEEN WORKING ON.
2:42:47I LOVE BEING IN THE SAME ROOM
2:42:48AS SABINO.
2:42:49UM, HAD A GREAT TIME WORKING
2:42:50WITH PAUL.
2:42:51UH, VERY THOUGHTFUL.
2:42:53UM, WHEN IT CAME TO THE WORK
2:42:54OF THE HOME RULE PETITION FOR
2:42:55RANKED CHOICE VOTING HEARD
2:42:56NOTHING BUT GOOD WORDS ABOUT
2:42:58KERRY UH, BEING RETWEETED FROM
2:43:00A LOT OF RESPECTED COLLEAGUES.
2:43:02SO I FEEL LIKE I'VE ALREADY MET
2:43:03THE MAN AND I KNOW HE'LL DO
2:43:04GREAT WORK HERE UH, FOR THE
2:43:06CITY OF BOSTON.
2:43:06BUT THAT'S IT.
2:43:08UM, ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, ONE
2:43:09MORE THING SORRY I LIED.
2:43:10UM, TRYING TO BE QUICK HERE.
2:43:12UM, THE HEARING ORDER FOR THE
2:43:15SUPPORT OF THE HOME RULE
2:43:17PETITION THAT GOT FILED IN
2:43:18BOSTON.
2:43:19I KNOW THAT'S IN COMMITTEE.
2:43:20UM, IF THERE'S A WAY WE COULD
2:43:22RESURRECT THAT AND, UH, PASS
2:43:23IT, UH, IT WOULD GO A LONG WAY
2:43:25TOWARDS THE EFFORTS, UM, AT THE
2:43:27STATE HOUSE WHICH YOU KNOW, IS
2:43:30UH, ALWAYS A LOT OF WORK BUT
2:43:31WE'RE TRYING TO BUILD A LOT
2:43:33OF MOMENTUM WITH THE COLLECTION
2:43:34OF HOME RULE PETITIONS THAT WE
2:43:36DO HAVE AND THE LOCAL OPTION
2:43:37BILL.
2:43:37SO I GUESS I DID NEED ALL MY
2:43:38TIME.
2:43:39THANK YOU.
2:43:39THANK YOU.
2:43:41UM, AND ED REMINDED ME SO I'M
2:43:43NOT GOING TO LET YOU GO JUST
2:43:44YET.
2:43:45WE DID TALK ABOUT UH WE DIDN'T
2:43:46TALK ABOUT HOW IT AFFECTS
2:43:47BOSTON THE CENSUS, THE
2:43:49MUNICIPAL CENSUS AND UH UH
2:43:52DECOUPLING THAT WITH THE WITH
2:43:53THE VOTER.
2:43:54UM, JUST THOUGHTS ON THAT
2:43:55BECAUSE I THINK THAT UH WHAT
2:43:57HAVE WE SEEN HAS THAT BEEN A
2:43:59PROBLEM IN BOSTON AND WHAT
2:44:00SHOULD WE DO ABOUT IT?
2:44:03SO UH.
2:44:05I JUST WANT TO BE CAREFUL
2:44:06BECAUSE WE ARE NOT POLICY
2:44:08MAKERS.
2:44:09UH, BUT I WILL SAY THAT THE, UM
2:44:12,PROCESS IS ADMINISTRATIVELY
2:44:15VERY TIME CONSUMING AND
2:44:17RESOURCE INTENSIVE.
2:44:18UM, TO MAIL EVERY HOUSEHOLD IN
2:44:21THE CITY TWICE TO SEND OUT THE
2:44:24INACTIVATION NOTICES TO RESPOND
2:44:25TO THOSE.
2:44:26UM, THERE IS A TREMENDOUS
2:44:29AMOUNT OF TIME AND ENERGY
2:44:30THAT'S PUT INTO MANAGING THAT
2:44:32PROCESS.
2:44:34I'M TRYING TO READ BETWEEN ANY
2:44:36LINES THERE.
2:44:39SO I UNDERSTAND WHY IT'S
2:44:40IMPORTANT FOR THE CITY TO DO
2:44:41THE MUNICIPAL CENSUS I DO I
2:44:43WANT US TO GET AN.
2:44:44ACCURATE COUNT.
2:44:45BUT WE ARE SEEING THAT IT.
2:44:47CAN BE DISENFRANCHIZING TO
2:44:48VOTERS AND WE KNOW.
2:44:50>> THAT.
2:44:50EVEN WHEN THERE ARE ATTEMPTS
2:44:51MADE LIKE I'M NOT GOING TO TELL
2:44:53YOU WHAT MY RESPONSE RATE IS TO
2:44:54MY MAIL EVEN THOUGH I AM
2:44:55SOMEONE WHO PHYSICALLY LOVES
2:44:56CHECKING THE MAIL.
2:44:57LET'S ASK MY STAFF, YOU KNOW.
2:44:59BUT THERE STILL ARE.
2:45:01YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES THERE'S AND
2:45:02TIME IS TO RESPONDING.
2:45:04SO I'M WONDERING SORT OF IS IT
2:45:06WORTH THAT EVEN THE ACTOR THAT
2:45:08WE'RE PUTTING OUT TO.
2:45:09THEN THE POTENTIAL OF.
2:45:10THESE UH DISENFRANCHIZING OR
2:45:12VOTER.
2:45:15NO THANK YOU THANKS EVERYONE.
2:45:17UM, EITHER FORMAL THINGS THAT I
2:45:18NEED.
2:45:18>> TO.
2:45:19READ IN ORDER TO ADJOURN THIS
2:45:20HEARING THAT I I'M NOT.
2:45:22>> PUT AWAY.
2:45:22BUT I'M REALLY GRATEFUL THIS
2:45:23WAS A REALLY.
2:45:25UH, THOUGHT.
2:45:26PROVOKING AND, UH.
2:45:27EDUCATIONAL HEARING FOR ME AND
2:45:29I KNOW FOR MY COLLEAGUES AS
2:45:30WELL.
2:45:31SO THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES
2:45:32FOR BEING HERE.
2:45:32THANK YOU TO COUNCIL ME HERE
2:45:33FOR STICKING IT OUT AND STILL
2:45:34BEING HERE WITH US.
2:45:35UM, WE KNOW THAT THE WORK IS
2:45:37GOING TO.
2:45:38CONTINUE AND WE KNOW THAT ALL
2:45:39OF YOU WILL.
2:45:40CONTINUE THAT WORK.
2:45:40UH, WE.
2:45:41>> WILL BE PULLING.
2:45:42UH WE.
2:45:43>> WILL BE, UH, ASKING FOR A
2:45:45VOTE ON DOCKET.
2:45:4681805 AND FOR IN.
2:45:47SUPPORT OF QUESTION FOUR.
2:45:48UH, ELECTION.
2:45:49DAY REGISTRATION.
2:45:50VOTING AND WE WILL.
2:45:51HOLD THE DOCKET DOCKET.
2:45:540183 IN COMMITTEE.
2:45:55SO WE CONTINUE TO CONTINUE.
2:45:56>> TO CALL YOU INTO.
2:45:57CHAMBERS WHEN YOU HAVE
2:45:58QUESTIONS AND WANT TO THINK.
2:45:59>> ABOUT ARE WE.
2:46:00>> DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN ON
2:46:01VOTER ACCESSIBILITY AND UM,
2:46:03INCREASING ACCESS TO DEMOCRACY
2:46:04FOR.
2:46:04>> OUR.
2:46:05RESIDENTS IN THE CITY.
2:46:05>> OF.
2:46:06BOSTON TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE
2:46:06NOT.
2:46:07TURNING THE DOORS ON DEMOCRACY.
2:46:08ON ANY OF OUR.
2:46:10UH UH, WORKING.
2:46:11>> CLASS VOTERS VOTERS
2:46:12OF COLOR.
2:46:13UH, RENTERS, PEOPLE WHO ARE
2:46:15LESS LIKELY TO.
2:46:16UM, INTERACT WITH GOVERNMENT
2:46:17AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
2:46:18WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE
2:46:19INCREASING.
2:46:20UM WHO IS PART OF OUR DEMOCRACY
2:46:22ESPECIALLY IN THESE.
2:46:23FRIGHTENING FEDERAL TIMES?
2:46:24UM.
2:46:25>> AND WE KNOW THAT WE AS.
2:46:26>> A CITY WE ARE ALL UP FOR THE
2:46:27TASK.
2:46:27SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE
2:46:28INCREDIBLE.
2:46:28WORK THAT YOU DO.
2:46:29THIS HEARING ON DOCKETS NUMBER
2:46:310183 AND.
2:46:32DOCKET NUMBER.
2:46:341805 IS ADJOURNED.
2:46:36>> THANK YOU.