Census, Redistricting, and Elections on October 2, 2026
2026-10-02

[0:48] MORNING EVERYONE.
[0:50] HAPPY FRIDAY.
[0:51] FOR THE RECORD MY NAME IS RUTI
[0:52] LOUIJEUNE AT LARGE CITY
[0:54] COUNCILOR AND I AM THE CHAIR
[0:55] OF THE BOSTON CITY
[0:56] COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON CENSUS
[0:57] REDISTRICTING AND ELECTIONS.
[0:58] TODAY IS OCTOBER 2ND, 2026 AND
[1:01] THE EXACT TIME IS 10:07 A.M..
[1:04] THIS HEARING IS BEING RECORDED.
[1:06] IT IS ALSO BEING LIVE
[1:08] STREAMED@BOSTON.GOV.
[1:08] FORWARD SLASH CITY COUNCIL DASH
[1:11] TV AND BROADCAST ON IT'S
[1:13] CHANNEL EIGHT RCN CHANNEL 82
[1:16] FIOS CHANNEL 964.
[1:18] OUR WRITTEN COMMENTS MAY BE
[1:19] SENT TO THE COMMITTEE EMAIL AT
[1:21] SEEK CENSUS@BOSTON.GOV.
[1:23] AND WE MADE A PART OF THE
[1:25] RECORD AND AVAILABLE TO ALL
[1:26] COUNCILORS PUBLIC TESTIMONY
[1:28] WILL TAKE WILL BE TAKEN AT THE
[1:29] END OF THIS HEARING.
[1:31] INDIVIDUALS WILL BE CALLED ON
[1:32] IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY
[1:34] SIGNED UP AND WILL HAVE TWO
[1:35] MINUTES TO TESTIFY.
[1:36] IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN
[1:38] TESTIFYING IN PERSON, PLEASE
[1:39] ADD YOUR NAME TO THE SIGN UP
[1:41] SHEET NEAR THE ENTRANCE OF THE
[1:42] CHAMBER.
[1:42] IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO TESTIFY
[1:43] VIRTUALLY, PLEASE EMAIL OUR
[1:45] CENTRAL STAFF LIAISON SHANE
[1:47] PACK AT SHANE DOT PACK AT
[1:49] BOSTON DOT GOD FOR THE LINK AND
[1:51] ADD YOUR NAME AND YOUR NAME
[1:52] WILL BE ADDED TO THE LIST.
[1:53] TODAY'S HEARING IS ON DOCKET
[1:54] NUMBER 0183.
[1:56] ORDER FOR A HEARING REGARDING
[1:57] VOTER ACCESSIBILITY AND
[1:58] ELECTION PREPAREDNESS.
[1:59] THIS MATTER IS SPONSORED BY
[2:00] MYSELF AND COUNCILOR ENRIQUE
[2:02] JAPAN AND IS REFERRED TO THE
[2:04] COMMITTEE ON JANUARY 28TH, 2026
[2:06] .
[2:06] THIS ALSO INCLUDES DOCKET
[2:08] NUMBER 1805 RESOLUTION IN
[2:11] SUPPORT OF QUESTION FOUR TO US
[2:13] TO ESTABLISH ELECTION DAY VOTER
[2:14] REGISTRATION IN MASSACHUSETTS.
[2:16] THIS MATTER IS SPONSORED BY
[2:17] MYSELF AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT
[2:18] LIZ BREADON AND IT WAS REFERRED
[2:20] TO THE COMMITTEE ON SEPTEMBER
[2:21] 22ND, 2023 2026.
[2:23] TODAY I'M JOINED BY MY
[2:25] COLLEAGUES IN ORDER OF ARRIVAL
[2:26] COUNCILOR FLYNN.
[2:27] I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR
[2:28] BEING HERE.
[2:29] UM THIS THERE IS UH UH TOPIC
[2:33] THAT IS SINCERELY IMPORTANT TO
[2:35] UPHOLDING OUR DEMOCRACY AND
[2:36] THAT'S MAKING SURE THAT VOTING
[2:38] IS ACCESSIBLE AND THAT WE'RE
[2:40] PREPARED AS A CITY WHEN
[2:41] ELECTION TIME COMES AROUND AND
[2:42] THAT WE'RE MAKING SURE WE'RE
[2:43] DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO DRAW
[2:44] MORE PEOPLE INTO OUR DEMOCRATIC
[2:46] PROCESS.
[2:48] AS SOMEONE WHO GREW UP IN THE
[2:49] CITY GOING TO THE POLLS WITH MY
[2:51] DAD LATER MYSELF BECOMING A
[2:52] LAWYER WHO WORKED ON ELECTIONS
[2:54] ,IT IS DEEPLY IMPORTANT TO
[2:56] ME TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE UH,
[2:57] MAKING SURE THAT RESIDENTS
[2:58] AROUND THE CITY CAN ACCESS
[3:01] VOTING.
[3:01] VOTING ISN'T GOING TO SOLVE ALL
[3:02] OF OUR PROBLEMS BUT IT IS GOING
[3:04] IT IS DEFINITELY A PART OF THE
[3:05] SOLUTION.
[3:05] SO I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU
[3:06] FOR BEING HERE FOR THE ADVOCACY
[3:08] THAT YOU DO.
[3:09] I IN ADDITION TO TALKING ABOUT
[3:10] GENERAL ELECTION PREPAREDNESS
[3:11] AND WHAT THE CITY OF BOSTON CAN
[3:12] BE DOING BETTER TO PREPARE FOR
[3:14] ELECTIONS OR DRAW PEOPLE OUT
[3:15] FOR ELECTIONS UH, DO THE
[3:17] EVERYDAY WORK OF DEMOCRACY.
[3:19] I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
[3:22] WE ARE TALKING ABOUT QUESTION
[3:24] FOUR WHICH IS UH, ELECTION DAY
[3:26] VOTER REGISTRATION WHICH MANY
[3:27] OF YOU ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN
[3:29] FIGHTING FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
[3:31] WE ARE BEHIND WHEN IT COMES TO
[3:32] STATES WHO HAVE, UH SAME-DAY
[3:34] VOTER REGISTRATION.
[3:35] WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE
[3:36] DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE
[3:37] DEMOCRACY MORE ACCESSIBLE TO
[3:38] THOSE WHO ARE TRANSIENT.
[3:40] WE KNOW THAT VOTERS OF COLOR,
[3:41] UH, VOTER OF COLOR
[3:43] PARTICIPATION INCREASES WHEN WE
[3:44] HAVE ELECTION DAY VOTER
[3:46] REGISTRATION.
[3:46] AND SO I'M EXCITED FOR THIS
[3:48] CONVERSATION.
[3:49] I'M EXCITED FOR YOU TO FOR
[3:50] OTHERS FOR ADVOCACY.
[3:51] I'M EXCITED TO HEAR FROM THE
[3:53] ADMINISTRATION AND I WANT TO
[3:54] THANK OUR OWN ALUM OF THE CITY
[3:57] COUNCIL CHAMBER, KERRY JORDAN.
[3:58] FOR HIS NEW ROLE.
[4:00] LEADING THE WORK OF THE
[4:01] ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT.
[4:02] SO I'M EXCITED TO HEAR FROM THE
[4:04] ADMINISTRATION AND THE REASON
[4:05] WHY, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO HAVE
[4:07] AN ADVOCATE PANEL GO FIRST
[4:07] BECAUSE I DO THINK THAT THERE
[4:09] CAN SOMETIMES BE MORE OF A
[4:10] FEEDBACK LOOP BETWEEN HEARING
[4:11] FROM WHAT THE ADVOCATES SAY.
[4:13] WHAT WE CAN BE DOING BETTER AND
[4:14] HAVING THE ADMINISTRATION.
[4:15] SORT OF RESPOND TO THAT.
[4:16] AND BRING YOU INTO THE
[4:17] CONVERSATION THAT WAY.
[4:18] SO I.
[4:19] REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR
[4:20] LEADERSHIP, SABINO.
[4:21] REALLY APPRECIATE UH YOUR.
[4:23] LEADERSHIP AS WELL.
[4:23] COMMISSIONER, I KNOW THAT
[4:24] YOU'VE BEEN DOING YEOMAN'S WORK
[4:25] TRYING TO UM.
[4:29] UH TO BOTH.
[4:31] CONTINUE DOING CITY.
[4:32] RECORDS AND ALSO.
[4:33] UH, YOUR HANDS HERE.
[4:34] UH, SO REALLY APPRECIATE THE
[4:35] WORK THAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING.
[4:37] SEE?
[4:37] UH, ITALIA.
[4:38] RIGHT.
[4:39] ITALIA HERE.
[4:39] SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.
[4:41] UH, LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS
[4:42] CONVERSATION.
[4:43] I AM GOING TO PASS IT OFF TO MY
[4:44] COLLEAGUE.
[4:45] IF HE HAS ANY OPENING REMARKS.
[4:47] THANK YOU.
[4:47] THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
[4:50] I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE
[4:52] ADMINISTRATION TEAM FOR BEING
[4:53] HERE.
[4:53] I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE
[4:55] PANELISTS FOR THE IMPORTANT
[4:56] WORK YOU ARE DOING AS WELL.
[4:58] UM, I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO
[5:00] WORK WITH SHERYL, UH, FOR FOR
[5:02] MANY YEARS AND RESPECT THE WORK
[5:04] YOU AND YOUR TEAM AND
[5:05] VOLUNTEERS ARE DOING.
[5:07] I WAS AT AN EVENT LAST NIGHT
[5:09] THE JEREMIAH PROGRAM IN THE
[5:12] SOUTH END AND WE WE WENT
[5:15] THROUGH EVERY UM BALLOT
[5:18] INITIATIVE AND MY GUESTS UH,
[5:20] RUSSELL HOLMES AND MYSELF WE
[5:22] TALKED ABOUT THEM I THINK FOR
[5:23] ALMOST TWO HOURS UM, TO A TO A
[5:27] GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT MOSTLY
[5:28] SINGLE MOTHERS AND ASKING THEY
[5:31] WERE ASKING QUESTIONS AND I
[5:33] THINK RUSSELL DID AN
[5:34] EXCEPTIONAL JOB EXPLAINING EACH
[5:36] OF THEM IN DETAIL.
[5:38] UM I SUPPORT MY SUPPORT
[5:40] QUESTION FOR BUT I ALSO KNOW
[5:43] THAT THE CITY OF BOSTON
[5:46] ELECTION DEPARTMENT IS
[5:47] CURRENTLY UNDER STATE
[5:48] RECEIVERSHIP.
[5:49] DURING THE MOST IMPORTANT
[5:50] PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2024.
[5:55] WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH BALLOTS
[5:57] TO REACH MANY POLLING LOCATIONS
[5:59] IN THE CITY OF BOSTON.
[6:01] UH, WE'RE STILL UNDER THE
[6:02] RECEIVERSHIP BASICALLY OF THE
[6:04] SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.
[6:06] UM.
[6:09] I'M GOING TO STOP THERE.
[6:10] I'M GOING TO LISTEN TO THE
[6:11] ADVOCATES.
[6:12] I DO APOLOGIZE I'M GOING TO A
[6:15] UM THE VA.
[6:16] UM, IT'S RELATED TO A CHILDCARE
[6:19] RELATED ISSUE IN THIS IN
[6:20] JAMAICA PLAIN.
[6:22] UM, BUT I AM GOING TO BE
[6:23] LEAVING EARLY BUT I WILL BE
[6:25] WATCHING THE VIDEO UM, LATER ON
[6:27] THIS WEEK.
[6:27] THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
[6:28] THANK YOU COUNCILOR AND I TOO
[6:29] WAS AT THE EVENT LAST NIGHT AT
[6:31] JEREMIAH PROGRAM.
[6:31] I WANT TO THANK ALISON AND ALL
[6:33] THE INCREDIBLE BLACK WOMEN WHO
[6:34] DO INCREDIBLE WORK TO MAKE SURE
[6:35] THAT CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IS
[6:36] CENTERED HERE IN OUR CITY.
[6:37] SO I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO
[6:39] THIS INCREDIBLE PANEL.
[6:39] WE'LL KICK IT OFF WITH FIVE
[6:41] MINUTES OF TESTIMONY FROM EACH
[6:43] OF YOU.
[6:43] WE HAVE TRACY FROM THE ACLU
[6:45] HERE AND THEN WE HAVE A VIDEO
[6:47] FROM RAHSAAN.
[6:48] OVER AT THE URBAN LEAGUE.
[6:49] SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[6:50] WE'LL KICK IT OFF.
[6:51] UM, IN ORDER THAT WE BEFORE US
[6:53] AND WE WILL START WITH, UH, YOU
[6:56] BROOKE, WE HAVE BROOKE SAMOAN
[6:57] HERE, A STAFF ATTORNEY, LAWYERS
[6:59] FOR CIVIL RIGHTS.
[7:00] UH, WE HAVE CELIA CANAVAN HERE,
[7:02] EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LEAGUE
[7:03] OF WOMEN VOTERS
[7:04] OF MASSACHUSETTS.
[7:05] CHERYL CLYBURN CRAWFORD
[7:07] EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT MASS VOTE
[7:09] TRACI GRIFFITH, UH, DIRECTOR
[7:11] OF THE RACIAL JUSTICE PROGRAM
[7:12] AT THE.
[7:12] ACLU OF MASSACHUSETTS AND
[7:14] RAHSAAN HALL, UH, HERE VIA.
[7:17] UH PRE.
[7:18] MADE VIDEO FROM.
[7:20] THE URBAN LEAGUE
[7:20] OF MASSACHUSETTS.
[7:21] SO WE'RE GOING TO START WITH
[7:22] YOU, CELIA.
[7:23] UH, WITH YOU BROOKE, YOU HAVE
[7:25] THE FLOOR AND FIVE MINUTES WILL
[7:27] HAVE ABOUT HOW LONG YOU NEED TO
[7:28] FOR AN OPENING.
[7:28] THANK YOU.
[7:30] GOOD MORNING.
[7:32] UM, AND THANK YOU,
[7:33] COUNCILOR LOUIJEUNE.
[7:34] UH, COUNCILOR PEPEN,
[7:35] COUNCILOR PRESIDENT BREADON FOR
[7:37] CALLING ATTENTION TO THESE
[7:38] ISSUES AND FOR INVITING ME TO
[7:39] BE HERE TODAY.
[7:41] UM, I ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK
[7:42] YOU TO COUNCILOR FLYNN FOR FOR
[7:44] BEING HERE.
[7:46] UM UH UM UH, MY NAME IS BROOKE.
[7:49] SEAMAN AND I'M GOING TO TALK
[7:50] ABOUT LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
[7:51] .
[7:53] ALL OF US HERE IN THIS.
[7:54] ROOM SHARE A GOAL WHICH IS TO
[7:57] ENSURE THAT EVERY ELIGIBLE
[7:58] VOTER WHO WANTS TO CAST A
[7:59] BALLOT CAN DO SO AND THEY CAN
[8:01] DO SO WITHOUT FEAR AND WITHOUT
[8:03] INTIMIDATION AND OBSTACLES.
[8:05] SO I'M GOING TO TALK A LITTLE
[8:06] BIT.
[8:07] ABOUT WHAT IS NEEDED TO MAKE
[8:08] THAT HAPPEN.
[8:10] A CRITICAL PIECE OF THAT IS THE
[8:12] ELECTION PROTECTION.
[8:12] PROGRAM WHICH IS A NATIONAL
[8:15] NONPARTISAN.
[8:16] UM A NATIONAL NONPARTISAN.
[8:17] AND VOLUNTEER POLL OBSERVER
[8:20] PROGRAM.
[8:20] AT LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS.
[8:22] WE ARE PROUD TO BE PART OF THE
[8:23] COALITION THAT RUNS THIS
[8:24] PROGRAM IN MASSACHUSETTS ALONG
[8:26] WITH OTHER PARTNERS HERE AND
[8:28] THOSE ON THE RECORDINGS AS
[8:30] WELL.
[8:32] DURING THE PRIMARY.
[8:33] WE SAW SOME CONFUSION AMONG
[8:35] POLL WORKERS ABOUT WHAT THESE
[8:37] VOLUNTEERS ARE ALLOWED TO DO.
[8:39] SO I JUST WANT TO TAKE SOME
[8:40] TIME TO CLARIFY.
[8:42] THEY ARE TRAINED AND AUTHORIZED
[8:44] TO OBSERVE.
[8:45] INSIDE POLLING LOCATIONS
[8:46] WHETHER THAT'S TO FREQUENTLY
[8:47] CHECK IN.
[8:48] TO OBSERVE PARTICULAR.
[8:50] UH, PARTICULAR IRREGULARITIES
[8:52] THAT ARISE.
[8:52] AND BECAUSE THEY ARE ENTIRELY.
[8:55] NONPARTISAN, THEY ARE.
[8:56] AUTHORIZED TO ENGAGE.
[8:57] WITH VOTERS OUTSIDE.
[8:58] OF THE POLLING.
[8:59] LOCATIONS BUT WITHIN THE 150
[9:01] FOOT ELECTIONEERING ZONE.
[9:04] ,OUR VOLUNTEERS.
[9:05] ARE PRESENT TO ANSWER
[9:06] QUESTIONS FROM VOTERS LIKE IS
[9:08] AN ID REQUIRED?
[9:09] WHAT IF THEY TELL ME I NEED.
[9:10] AN ID?
[9:11] CAN A FRIEND HELP.
[9:12] ME VOTE?
[9:13] THE VOLUNTEERS ALSO ESCALATE
[9:15] PROBLEMS THAT NEED.
[9:16] TROUBLESHOOTING OR LEGAL
[9:17] SUPPORT, AND PART OF.
[9:18] THIS IS STEERING VOTERS.
[9:20] TO THE COURT.
[9:20] TO CALL THE.
[9:21] EIGHT SIX SIX.
[9:23] HOUR VOTE HOTLINE WHERE.
[9:25] UH, A GROUP.
[9:27] OF LAWYERS.
[9:27] ARE ALSO STANDING BY TO PROVIDE
[9:30] SUPPORT.
[9:31] NOW THIS HOTLINE UM.
[9:33] IS ALWAYS OPEN.
[9:34] IT WILL BE.
[9:34] OPEN DURING.
[9:35] UH, EARLY VOTING AND ON
[9:36] ELECTION DAY.
[9:38] WE WILL HAVE POLL OBSERVERS
[9:39] THROUGHOUT BOSTON'S.
[9:40] PRECINCTS ON ELECTION DAY AS
[9:42] WELL.
[9:42] AND OUR TEAM AT LAWYERS FOR.
[9:44] CIVIL RIGHTS WILL BE READY TO
[9:45] RESPOND.
[9:45] TO WHATEVER CHALLENGES
[9:47] ARISE.
[9:49] NOW EVERY ELECTION WE EXPECT.
[9:51] TO SEE CERTAIN.
[9:52] LOGISTICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
[9:53] ISSUES.
[9:53] A LOT OF THESE AROSE.
[9:56] UM UH, DURING THE PRIMARY.
[9:57] WE SAW SOME OF THESE
[9:58] STANDARD PROBLEMS.
[9:59] LIKE THE REGISTRATION.
[10:00] DEADLINE KEEPING ELIGIBLE
[10:01] PEOPLE FROM VOTING AND THAT'S
[10:02] WHY WE SUPPORT QUESTION FOUR ON
[10:05] ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION.
[10:06] THERE WERE ALSO A LARGE NUMBER
[10:08] OF VOTERS WHO.
[10:09] WERE LISTED AS INACTIVE
[10:10] SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T
[10:11] RETURN THE CENSUS FORM.
[10:13] THERE ARE ALSO UNFORTUNATELY.
[10:15] ALWAYS ISSUES UM AROUND
[10:17] ACCESSIBILITY OF POLLING PLACES
[10:19] AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE
[10:20] ELECTION PROTECTION PROGRAM CAN
[10:22] STEP IN TO ASSIST WITH UM AS
[10:24] WELL.
[10:26] IN THE PAST UM AS
[10:28] COUNCILOR FLYNN MENTIONED,
[10:30] BOSTON VOTERS HAVE FACED LONG
[10:31] LINES AND BALLOT SHORTAGES.
[10:33] PARTICULARLY IN COMMUNITIES
[10:34] OF COLOR AND LOW INCOME
[10:36] COMMUNITIES.
[10:37] WE ARE VERY ENCOURAGED BY THE.
[10:39] NEW LEADERSHIP IN BOSTON'S
[10:41] ELECTION DEPARTMENT, AND WE
[10:42] KNOW THAT.
[10:43] THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
[10:44] JORDAN.
[10:44] SHARES OUR HOPE THAT THESE
[10:46] ISSUES DON'T HAPPEN AGAIN.
[10:47] SO WE WANT TO SAY WELCOME.
[10:49] AND WE ARE HAPPY TO BE.
[10:50] IN OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH THE
[10:52] NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM.
[10:55] NOW ALONG WITH SOME OF THESE
[10:56] MORE TYPICAL CONCERNS, THESE
[10:58] ADMINISTRATIVE.
[10:59] OR SORT OF.
[11:00] LOGISTICAL CONCERNS.
[11:01] THIS ELECTION THERE IS A REAL.
[11:03] CONCERN ABOUT FEDERAL OFFICERS
[11:05] BEING SENT TO POLLING PLACES.
[11:07] SO TO BE DIRECT THAT.
[11:09] WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.
[11:12] FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENTS
[11:13] WHETHER.
[11:14] ICE.
[11:15] DOJ OR THE FBI CANNOT
[11:17] INTERFERE WITH THE RIGHT TO
[11:18] VOTE.
[11:19] THEY CANNOT INTIMIDATE.
[11:21] OR THREATEN.
[11:21] VOTERS WHICH CAN.
[11:22] OCCUR DUE TO SIMPLY THEIR
[11:24] PRESENCE ALONE AND.
[11:26] EVEN MORE POINTEDLY, ARMED
[11:28] FEDERAL.
[11:28] OFFICIALS CANNOT BE AT A
[11:30] POLLING PLACE.
[11:31] SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS IF ICE.
[11:33] OFFICERS ARE.
[11:34] STATIONED NEAR A.
[11:36] SCHOOL OR COMMUNITY CENTER THAT
[11:38] IS USED AS A POLLING PLACE THAT
[11:40] IS ILLEGAL.
[11:42] THEIR PRESENCE OF COURSE WOULD.
[11:44] WOULD PRESENT DANGERS
[11:45] OF AGGRESSIVE.
[11:46] TACTICS OF DETENTION
[11:48] OF DEPORTATION.
[11:49] BUT THE THREAT REALLY.
[11:50] EXTENDS MUCH FURTHER THAN THAT.
[11:54] SO MANY BOSTONIANS ARE LIVING
[11:56] IN CONSTANT FEAR OF.
[11:57] IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, AND
[11:59] THAT INCLUDES.
[12:00] PEOPLE WHO ARE.
[12:01] CITIZENS AND ELIGIBLE TO VOTE.
[12:03] SO I'M TALKING.
[12:04] ABOUT FOREIGN BORN.
[12:05] NATURALIZED CITIZENS, PEOPLE IN
[12:07] MIXED STATUS HOUSEHOLDS AND
[12:08] PEOPLE OF COLOR.
[12:10] .
[12:10] FOR A LOT OF THOSE ELIGIBLE
[12:12] VOTERS, IF THEY HEAR THAT ICE.
[12:14] MAY BE NEAR THEIR POLLING.
[12:16] PLACE, SOME OF THEM WILL SIMPLY
[12:18] STAY HOME AND THAT MEANS THAT
[12:20] THEY ARE LOSING THEIR RIGHT TO
[12:21] VOTE AND THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.
[12:26] SO AT LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
[12:27] WE ARE.
[12:28] RESPONDING ON TWO.
[12:29] FRONTS WE ARE EDUCATING.
[12:31] THE COMMUNITIES MOST
[12:32] VULNERABLE TO.
[12:32] ICE ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS.
[12:34] AND WHAT TO DO IF A FEDERAL.
[12:35] OFFICER IS NEAR A POLLING.
[12:36] PLACE AND WE ARE ALSO READY TO.
[12:39] GO TO COURT THE MOMENT.
[12:40] THAT UNLAWFUL GOVERNMENT
[12:41] ACTIVITY THREATENS THE
[12:43] COMMUNITIES WE WORK WITH.
[12:46] .
[12:46] SO WE ARE READY.
[12:47] TO STEP IN AND.
[12:48] OUR PARTNERS HERE ARE CERTAINLY
[12:50] READY AS WELL.
[12:51] BUT IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT
[12:53] THE CITY.
[12:53] OF BOSTON BE READY TO AND SO
[12:55] I.
[12:56] WOULD URGE THE CITY.
[12:57] TO DO FOUR THINGS.
[12:59] FIRST, PROMOTE EARLY.
[13:00] VOTING AND MAIL VOTING SO THAT
[13:02] NO VOTER HAS TO DEPEND ON ONE
[13:05] DAY AND ONE LOCATION.
[13:07] SECOND, TRAIN.
[13:09] WARDENS, INSPECTORS.
[13:11] AND OTHER POLL WORKERS ON
[13:12] THE LAWS THAT APPLY.
[13:13] AND ON WHAT TO DO IF FEDERAL
[13:14] AGENTS SHOW UP TO A POLLING
[13:16] PLACE.
[13:18] THIRD, COORDINATE AND
[13:19] COMMUNICATE BEFOREHAND.
[13:21] WITH STATE OFFICIALS AND GROUPS
[13:23] .
[13:23] LIKE LAWYERS FOR CIVIL.
[13:24] RIGHTS AND OTHER FOLKS ON THIS
[13:25] PANEL.
[13:26] AND FOURTH, COMMUNICATE
[13:29] ACCURATELY WITH.
[13:29] BOSTON VOTERS.
[13:31] THEY NEED TO KNOW THEIR RIGHTS
[13:32] AT THE.
[13:33] POLLS AND WHAT MIGHT STAND IN
[13:34] THEIR WAY.
[13:35] BUT JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, THEY.
[13:37] NEED TO KNOW THAT THEIR.
[13:38] CITY, THEIR HOME.
[13:40] AND LEGAL AND.
[13:41] ADVOCACY GROUPS.
[13:42] STAND WITH THEM AND ARE.
[13:44] READY TO PROTECT THEIR.
[13:45] RIGHT TO VOTE.
[13:46] SO I'M EXCITED AND HOPEFUL TO.
[13:48] WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT
[13:49] NO ONE IS.
[13:50] PREVENTED FROM EXERCISING THAT
[13:51] RIGHT.
[13:51] THANK YOU AGAIN.
[13:52] FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE
[13:54] .
[13:54] AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY
[13:56] QUESTIONS.
[13:57] THANK YOU SO MUCH CELIA.
[13:59] AND WE'VE ALSO BEEN JOINED BY
[14:01] COUNCIL PRESIDENT LIZ BRATTON.
[14:02] UH, SO YOU.
[14:07] THIS IS WORKING.
[14:07] YEAH.
[14:08] OKAY.
[14:08] GOOD, GOOD.
[14:09] SO, UH, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[14:11] UH, MADAM CHAIR,
[14:12] COUNCILOR PRESIDENT BRITA.
[14:13] AND COUNCILOR.
[14:14] FLYNN AND THE REST OF THE CITY
[14:16] .
[14:16] COUNCIL FOR.
[14:17] THE INVITATION AND FOR YOUR
[14:18] CONTINUED SUPPORT OF ELECTIONS
[14:20] AND VOTING.
[14:22] MY NAME IS CELIA CANAVAN.
[14:23] I AM PROUD TO SERVE AS THE
[14:25] EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE
[14:26] LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
[14:27] OF MASSACHUSETTS.
[14:28] WE SERVE 155 COMMUNITIES ACROSS
[14:31] THE COMMONWEALTH AND ARE
[14:32] PROUDLY REPRESENTED HERE WITH
[14:33] THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
[14:34] OF BOSTON UH, IN 44 LOCAL
[14:37] LEAGUES WITH OVER 3000 MEMBERS.
[14:39] UM, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK
[14:41] AND WELCOME THE NEW ELECTION
[14:42] ADMINISTRATION LEADERSHIP.
[14:43] I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING TO
[14:44] WORK WITH YOU AND CONNECTING
[14:46] WITH OUR LOCAL LEAGUE HERE AS
[14:47] WELL TO CONTINUE TO PROTECT AND
[14:49] SERVE THE VOTERS IN BOSTON.
[14:51] UM, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
[14:52] ,UM IS ON IS FOUNDED ON TWO
[14:55] FOUNDING PRINCIPLES EXCUSE ME,
[14:57] UM, EMPOWERING VOTERS AND
[14:58] DEFENDING DEMOCRACY.
[14:59] AND WE DO THIS THROUGH A
[15:01] WRAPAROUND APPROACH BOTH
[15:01] THROUGH VOTER SERVICES, VOTER
[15:04] REGISTRATION AND VOTER
[15:05] EDUCATION AS WELL AS ADVOCACY
[15:07] ON ISSUES SUCH AS QUESTION FOUR
[15:09] AND ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION A
[15:11] FIGHT THAT WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE
[15:13] BEEN A PART OF WITH OUR
[15:14] PARTNERS FOR YEARS.
[15:15] YEARS UPON YEARS UM ON BEACON
[15:17] HILL ARE NOW HAPPY TO BRING IT.
[15:18] TO THE.
[15:18] BALLOT BOX.
[15:19] UM THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
[15:21] OF MASSACHUSETTS HAS BEEN
[15:22] WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK THIS
[15:23] ELECTION CYCLE.
[15:24] GIVEN THE CONTINUED FEDERAL
[15:26] THREATS TO OUR ELECTIONS TO
[15:27] MAKE SURE THAT VOTERS ACROSS
[15:28] THE COMMONWEALTH HAVE THE
[15:30] SERVICES AND TRUST THAT THEY
[15:31] NEED TO MAKE AN INFORMED
[15:33] DECISION AT THE BALLOT BOX.
[15:34] UM, I'LL START MY REMARKS TODAY
[15:36] WITH SOME OF OUR VOTER
[15:37] EDUCATION WORK AND THEN I'LL BE
[15:39] HAPPY TO GO INTO OUR WORK ON
[15:41] YES ON FOR ELECTION DAY
[15:42] REGISTRATION ON WHICH WE ARE
[15:44] PROUD TO SERVE ON THE BALLOT
[15:45] QUESTION COMMITTEE ALONGSIDE UH
[15:47] ,CHERYL AND MANY OF OUR OTHER
[15:48] GREAT PARTNERS.
[15:50] UM, SO AT THE START OF THIS
[15:51] YEAR WE WERE HUMBLED AND PROUD
[15:53] TO SERVE AS ONE OF THE
[15:55] PLAINTIFFS THE LEAD PLAINTIFF
[15:56] TO BE EXACT IN THE LEAGUE
[15:58] OF WOMEN VOTERS
[15:59] OF MASSACHUSETTS VERSUS TRUMP,
[16:00] WHICH IS A HALLMARK CASE TO
[16:02] PROTECT MAIL-IN VOTING NOT ONLY
[16:04] IN MASSACHUSETTS BUT ACROSS THE
[16:06] NATION.
[16:07] WE ARE PROUD THAT THROUGH THIS
[16:08] WORK WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO
[16:10] CONTINUE TO UPHOLD AN
[16:11] INJUNCTION THAT HAS ALLOWED FOR
[16:12] MAIL IN BALLOTS TO CONTINUE TO
[16:14] BE DELIVERED TO VOTERS AGAIN
[16:15] NOT ONLY IN THE COMMONWEALTH
[16:17] BUT ACROSS THE NATION AND STOPS
[16:19] FROM STOPS PERSONAL VOTER DATA
[16:21] FROM BEING SHARED AMONG UM
[16:23] STATES TO THE FEDERAL
[16:24] GOVERNMENT.
[16:25] THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE
[16:26] NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO ALONE.
[16:27] AND I WOULD LIKE TO ESPECIALLY
[16:28] SHOUT OUT, UH, TRACY AND THE
[16:30] ACLU FOR THEIR CONTINUED
[16:31] PARTNERSHIP WITH US ON THIS
[16:33] WORK.
[16:33] UM, BUT WE KNOW THAT THIS DOES
[16:35] NOT STOP THERE.
[16:36] SO WE HAVE CONTINUED THIS WORK
[16:37] THROUGH CONTINUING TO ALLOW
[16:39] VOTERS TO KNOW THAT MAIL IN
[16:40] VOTING HAS ALWAYS BEEN A SAFE
[16:42] AND SECURE METHOD OF VOTING AND
[16:44] SOMETHING THEY CAN CONTINUE TO
[16:45] TRUST AND USE HERE IN
[16:47] MASSACHUSETTS SOMETHING THAT WE
[16:49] ARE PROUD TO HAVE CONTINUE TO
[16:50] HAVE FOUGHT FOR NOT ONLY IN
[16:52] 2026 BUT ALL THE WAY BACK TO
[16:54] 2022 WHEN WE WERE ABLE TO GET
[16:55] NO EXCUSE MAIL IN VOTING.
[16:57] WE CONTINUE THIS WORK HERE IN
[17:00] MASSACHUSETTS THROUGH
[17:01] PARTNERSHIPS.
[17:02] WE ARE INCREDIBLY PROUD TO HAVE
[17:04] OVER 100 NONPROFIT PARTNERS
[17:05] THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND HERE
[17:07] IN BOSTON.
[17:08] WE HAVE CONTINUED TO EXPAND
[17:09] THAT WORK THIS YEAR OUR TEAM
[17:11] UM, WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO
[17:13] ADD WAS LED BY TWO INCREDIBLE
[17:15] STUDENTS HERE IN BOSTON.
[17:17] UM, WE'RE ABLE TO COLLABORATE
[17:18] WITH EVERY NONPARTISAN CAMPUS
[17:22] UM ORGANIZATION IN BOSTON
[17:23] COLLEGES TO PROVIDE WRAPAROUND
[17:26] VOTER EDUCATION TOOLKITS AND
[17:27] SERVICES SO THEY CAN INFORM
[17:29] OTHER STUDENTS TO HAVE A MORE
[17:31] INFORMED ELECTORATE COMING INTO
[17:33] BOSTON THIS YEAR.
[17:35] THIS HAS INCLUDED OUR ONLINE
[17:36] VOTE 411.ORG ONLINE VOTER GUIDE
[17:39] .
[17:40] THIS IS A NONPARTISAN GUIDE
[17:41] THAT COMBINES NOT ONLY
[17:43] INFORMATION ABOUT CANDIDATES
[17:44] AND BALLOT QUESTIONS WITH
[17:47] INFORMATION REGARDING VOTER
[17:48] REGISTRATION, LOCAL ORDINANCES
[17:50] AND ANYTHING RELEVANT TO UH
[17:52] VOTER REGISTRATION, VOTER
[17:54] ENGAGEMENT AND CASTING YOUR
[17:55] BALLOT.
[17:56] EACH ELECTION.
[17:57] CYCLE IN 2024 VOTE FOR ONE GOT
[18:02] $192,000 I WISH I WAS AND
[18:04] VISITS UM FROM VOTERS ACROSS
[18:06] THE COMMONWEALTH AND WE EXPECT
[18:07] SIMILAR NUMBERS THIS YEAR GIVEN
[18:09] THE HEIGHTENED ANXIETY AND
[18:11] CONTINUED INTEREST IN THIS
[18:12] MIDTERM ELECTION.
[18:14] WE'VE ALSO PARTNERED WITH
[18:15] BOSTON BUSINESSES UM AND BOSTON
[18:18] UM COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO
[18:19] PROVIDE A VOTE 411 RESOURCES
[18:21] AND ACTION GUIDE.
[18:23] SO THAT WAY VOTERS ARE ABLE TO
[18:24] GET THIS INFORMATION EASILY
[18:26] ACCESSIBLY IN PLACES THEY
[18:27] ALREADY OCCUPY.
[18:28] THIS HAS INCLUDED PLACES SUCH
[18:30] AS THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY,
[18:31] PORTER SQUARE BOOKS AND OTHER
[18:33] PLACES WHERE PEOPLE ARE ALREADY
[18:35] ATTENDING AND SIMPLY JUST NEED
[18:36] ACCESS TO THIS CRITICAL
[18:38] INFORMATION.
[18:39] WE'VE ALSO CONTINUE TO RUN OUR
[18:41] TRADITIONAL PROGRAMING SUCH AS
[18:43] CANDIDATE FORUMS.
[18:44] WE'RE PROUD TO HAVE SERVED
[18:46] BOSTON AS THE ONLY ORGANIZATION
[18:49] TO GET BOTH.
[18:50] UM CONGRESSMAN STEPHEN LYNCH
[18:51] AND THEN CANDIDATE PATRICK ROSE
[18:54] TO A CANDIDATES FORUM UM IT
[18:56] TOGETHER AND PRESENT THAT.
[18:58] UM IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL
[18:59] LEAGUES WITHIN CONGRESSIONAL
[19:00] DISTRICT EIGHT AND BOSTON TO
[19:02] MAKE SURE VOTERS WERE ABLE TO
[19:04] MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION ON
[19:05] ELECTION DAY.
[19:06] WE CONTINUE TO RUN THESE
[19:07] PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE
[19:09] AND ARE PROUD TO ALSO BE
[19:10] WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP UM ON
[19:12] THE ELECTION PROTECTION TASK
[19:13] FORCE AND AS WELL WITH A POLL
[19:15] WORKER RECRUITMENT PROGRAM
[19:17] REGARDLESS OF THE UH
[19:19] MUNICIPALITY WE'RE IN, WE
[19:20] ENCOURAGE ALL OF OUR MEMBERS TO
[19:21] CHOOSE ONE OF THOSE TWO OPTIONS
[19:23] BE A NONPARTISAN POLL OBSERVER
[19:25] OR JOIN YOUR ELECTION
[19:27] ADMINISTRATORS AS A POLL WORKER
[19:28] .
[19:28] AND WE ARE PROUD TO CONTINUE TO
[19:30] PUSH PEOPLE.
[19:30] IN.
[19:31] THAT DIRECTION.
[19:32] WE ALSO HAVE ON OUR WEBSITE,
[19:34] UM, WHICH WE CONTINUE TO PUSH
[19:36] TO UH MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC
[19:38] ALIKE OUR ELECTION 2026
[19:40] RESOURCES WHICH INCLUDE DIRECT
[19:42] VOTER REGISTRATION, BALLOT
[19:44] TRACKING, AN ACCESSIBLE COPY
[19:46] OF THE RED.
[19:47] BOOK UM AND THEN UPLIFTING SOME
[19:50] OF OUR PARTNERS INFORMATION
[19:51] SUCH AS THE ACLU KNOW YOUR
[19:53] VOTING RIGHTS GUIDE TO MAKE
[19:54] SURE THAT WE GET AS MUCH
[19:56] VISIBILITY AS POSSIBLE TO THE
[19:57] GREAT WORK GOING ON IN
[19:58] COMMUNITY.
[20:00] WE ARE SO PROUD OF THIS
[20:02] ELECTION AND VOTER SERVICES
[20:03] WORK THAT WE DO, BUT WE KNOW
[20:05] THAT THIS IS ONLY ONE PART
[20:06] OF OUR CONTINUED ADVOCACY WHICH
[20:08] IS WHY THE VOTE YES ON FOR
[20:10] ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION
[20:11] COMMITTEE HAS BEEN SUCH PROUD
[20:12] WORK OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN
[20:14] VOTERS OF MASSACHUSETTS.
[20:16] ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION IS A
[20:18] COMMON SENSE WITH VOTING RIGHTS
[20:20] REFORM.
[20:20] IT IS SOMETHING THAT
[20:21] MASSACHUSETTS IS LONG OVERDUE
[20:23] TO JOIN 23 STATES AND THE
[20:24] DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA IN
[20:26] ENACTING.
[20:26] IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT
[20:28] THIS TEN DAY DEADLINE THAT WE
[20:29] HAVE IS ARBITRARY AND THAT WE
[20:32] KNOW THAT FROM SURVEYS IN
[20:33] MASSACHUSETTS AND REAL LIFE
[20:34] EXPERIENCES IN OTHER STATES.
[20:36] THAT THESE.
[20:36] DEADLINES SUPPRESS THE RIGHT TO
[20:38] VOTE.
[20:38] PEOPLE ARE OFTEN SO BUSY WITH
[20:40] THEIR DAY TO DAY
[20:41] RESPONSIBILITIES THAT THEY
[20:42] DON'T CLUE INTO IMPORTANT
[20:43] ISSUES ON THE BALLOT UNTIL THE
[20:44] WEEK BEFORE AN ELECTION WHEN
[20:45] THEY ARE RECEIVING MAILERS, ADS
[20:48] ,PEOPLE KNOCKING ON THEIR
[20:49] DOORSTEP AND BY THEN IT IS
[20:50] ALREADY TOO LATE TO REGISTER IN
[20:52] MASSACHUSETTS.
[20:53] IMPORTANTLY, QUESTION FOUR DOES
[20:54] NOT STAND TO JUST BENEFIT NEW
[20:56] VOTERS.
[20:56] IT ALSO ALLOWS US TO WELCOME IN
[20:58] VOTERS WHO MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED
[20:59] SOME FORM OF CLERICAL ERROR OR
[21:01] ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUE WITHIN
[21:02] THEIR VOTER REGISTRATION AND
[21:04] DID NOT HAVE THE TIME TO GET
[21:05] AWAY FROM THEIR WORK OR LIFE
[21:08] RESPONSIBILITIES TO AMEND THAT.
[21:09] ISSUE THEY MAY HAVE MOVED,
[21:11] CHANGE THEIR NAME, HAD A MIDDLE
[21:13] INITIAL LEFT OFF AND THESE CAN
[21:15] ALL BE UH, BARRIERS TO THEIR
[21:16] SIMPLE RIGHT TO VOTE.
[21:18] WE KNOW THAT THIS DOES NOT
[21:19] CREATE CHAOS AT THE POLLS.
[21:21] THIS DOES NOT CREATE ADDITIONAL
[21:22] BARRIERS FOR ELECTION
[21:24] ADMINISTRATORS IN THESE 23
[21:25] OTHER STATES.
[21:26] SOME STATES HAVE HAD ELECTION
[21:27] DAY REGISTRATION OR A VERSION
[21:29] OF SAME DAY VOTER REGISTRATION
[21:30] FOR OVER 50 YEARS AND HAVE NOT
[21:32] SEEN ANY EVIDENCE OF FRAUD, ANY
[21:35] INCREASED COSTS OR ANY FURTHER
[21:37] ISSUES RELATED TO UM
[21:40] ADMINISTRATION.
[21:41] WE ALSO KNOW THAT THIS DOES NOT
[21:43] ADD ANY FURTHER BURDEN ON
[21:45] ELECTION ADMINISTRATORS AND WE
[21:47] ARE PROUD TO SAY THAT THE
[21:48] VERSION THAT WE HAVE HERE IN
[21:49] MASSACHUSETTS PROPOSED IN FRONT
[21:51] OF US ALLOWS FOR A ONE YEAR UM,
[21:53] DELAYED IMPLEMENTATION.
[21:54] THIS WOULD NOT BE IMPLEMENTED
[21:56] UNTIL 2028 ALLOWING US TO HAVE
[21:58] FURTHER TRAINING UM AND
[22:00] EDUCATION FOR ELECTION
[22:01] ADMINISTRATORS AND ELECTION
[22:03] WORKERS PRIOR TO IMPLEMENTATION
[22:06] ALL AROUND WE KNOW THAT
[22:07] ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION IS
[22:09] SOMETHING THAT STANDS TO ONLY
[22:11] BENEFIT MASSACHUSETTS.
[22:12] IT DOES NOT STAND TO BENEFIT
[22:14] EITHER PARTY AND SPECIFIC ANY
[22:16] VOTER AT ANY TIME REGARDLESS
[22:17] OF THEIR POLITICAL PARTY, RACE,
[22:20] DEMOGRAPHIC ECONOMIC STATUS CAN
[22:22] EXPERIENCE AN ISSUE AT THE
[22:24] POLLS.
[22:24] I MYSELF HAVE BENEFITED FROM
[22:26] ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION AS A
[22:27] VOTER IN MAINE BEFORE MOVING
[22:28] BACK TO MASSACHUSETTS AND ONCE
[22:31] MOVING BACK TO MASSACHUSETTS.
[22:33] EXPERIENCE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN
[22:34] YOU DON'T HAVE ELECTION DAY
[22:35] REGISTRATION.
[22:36] WHEN I WAS UNABLE TO REGISTER
[22:37] TO VOTE THREE DAYS AFTER MOVING
[22:40] HOME THREE DAYS AFTER THE
[22:41] DEADLINE THANKFULLY I AM SO
[22:44] GLAD TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO VOTE
[22:45] THIS YEAR IN THE YEARS SINCE.
[22:47] BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT
[22:48] STICKS WITH ME AS I THINK
[22:50] OF ALL THE OTHER STUDENTS
[22:50] MOVING HOME STUDENTS WHO HAVE
[22:52] MOVED FORWARD AND THE REST
[22:54] OF THE COMMONWEALTH WHO SIMPLY
[22:56] NEEDS THAT RIGHT TO VOTE AND
[22:57] DOES NOT KNOW IF THEY'LL BE
[22:58] ABLE TO DO SO.
[23:00] I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN
[23:01] COUNCILOR LOUIJEUNE AND UM
[23:02] COUNCIL PRESIDENT FREEDOM FOR
[23:03] YOUR.
[23:04] UM BRINGING THAT UM RESOLUTION
[23:07] FORWARD AND HOPE THAT WE CAN
[23:08] GET TO BE MORE SUPPORT FOR YES
[23:10] ON FOUR UM AND THAT COMMON
[23:11] SENSE REFORM.
[23:13] THANK YOU.
[23:14] THANK YOU SO MUCH, CELIA.
[23:15] UH, WE NOW MOVE ON TO CHERYL
[23:17] CLYBURN.
[23:17] CRAWFORD I SAID THAT EXECUTIVE
[23:18] DIRECTOR OF MASS VOTE.
[23:20] BUT HOLD ON.
[23:20] Y'ALL HAVE THE CHAIR OF THE YES
[23:22] ON FOUR BALLOT COMMITTEE AND
[23:24] HOLD ON EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
[23:26] SECOND VICE PRESIDENT OKAY.
[23:28] EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE
[23:31] NAACP BOSTON BRANCH HERE.
[23:32] SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING
[23:34] WITH US.
[23:34] CHERYL.
[23:35] YOU HAVE THE FLOOR GRAY.
[23:37] GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.
[23:38] GOOD MORNING, MADAM CHAIR AND
[23:41] MEMBERS OF THIS COMMITTEE
[23:43] DISTINGUISHED LEGISLATORS AND
[23:45] CONGRATULATIONS.
[23:46] HELLO SABINA.
[23:47] RIGHT.
[23:48] MY NAME IS CHERYL CLYBURN
[23:50] CRAWFORD I'M THE EXECUTIVE
[23:51] DIRECTOR OF MASS VOTE AS UH,
[23:53] COUNCILOR LUIGI AND JUST SAT IN
[23:55] THE CHAIR OF THE BALLOT
[23:56] QUESTION FOR COMMITTEE.
[23:57] THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY
[23:59] TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY ABOUT
[24:00] THE WORK MARCELLO IS DOING TO
[24:02] PREPARE MASSACHUSETTS VOTERS
[24:04] FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTION AND
[24:06] IMPORTANTLY ABOUT ELECTION DAY
[24:08] REGISTRATION BALLOT INITIATIVE
[24:11] MASS VOTER HAS SPENT 25 YEARS
[24:14] TO WORKING TO MAKE OUR
[24:16] DEMOCRACY MORE ACCESSIBLE,
[24:18] INCLUSIVE AND PARTICIPATORY.
[24:20] OUR WORK IS GROUNDED IN SIMPLE
[24:22] PRINCIPLE PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE
[24:24] TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR DEMOCRACY
[24:27] WITHOUT UNNECESSARY,
[24:28] UNNECESSARY BARRIERS STANDING
[24:30] IN THEIR WAY AS WE APPROACH
[24:33] NOVEMBER 3RD SELECTION, OUR
[24:35] WORK IS FOCUSED ON VOTER
[24:37] EDUCATION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
[24:40] AS WELL AS ELECTION DAY
[24:42] PREPAREDNESS AND MAKING SURE
[24:43] PEOPLE HAVE THE INFORMATION AND
[24:45] RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED TO
[24:47] PARTICIPATE.
[24:48] SO WHAT ARE WE DOING IN THE
[24:50] WEEKS LEADING UP TO THE
[24:51] ELECTION?
[24:51] MASS VOTE IS TAKEN OUR VOTER
[24:53] EDUCATION EFFORTS DIRECTLY INTO
[24:55] THE COMMUNITIES WE ARE
[24:57] DISSEMINATING EDUCATIONAL
[24:58] LITERATURE ABOUT.
[24:59] QUESTION FOR ELECTION DAY
[25:02] REGISTRATION MAKING SURE VOTERS
[25:04] UNDERSTAND WHAT THE QUESTION IS
[25:05] ABOUT AND WHAT IT WOULD MEAN
[25:07] FOR ELIGIBLE VOTERS.
[25:09] WE ARE CONDUCTING PHONE BANKS
[25:11] TO REACH VOTERS DIRECTLY AND
[25:13] PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE
[25:15] ELECTION IN QUESTION FOUR WE
[25:16] ARE TABLING AT COMMUNITY EVENTS
[25:19] AND IN NEIGHBORHOODS CREATING
[25:21] OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOTERS TO ASK
[25:23] QUESTIONS AND RECEIVE
[25:25] INFORMATION FACE TO FACE.
[25:27] WE ARE ALSO HOSTING A COMMUNITY
[25:29] FORUM TO PROVIDE VOTERS WITH
[25:31] THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT
[25:33] ETR ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION
[25:35] AND ENGAGE IN A BROADER
[25:37] CONVERSATION ABOUT ACCESS TO
[25:39] THE BALLOT.
[25:40] AND IMPORTANTLY, WE ARE
[25:42] RECRUITING AND PREPARING
[25:44] VOLUNTEERS TO SUPPORT OUR
[25:45] ELECTION PROTECTION PROGRAM ON
[25:48] ELECTION DAY.
[25:49] ELECTION PROTECTION IS AN
[25:51] IMPORTANT PART OF THIS WORK AS
[25:52] YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD.
[25:53] UM THE EDUCATION DOESN'T END
[25:55] WHEN THE.
[25:56] POLLS OPEN.
[25:57] WE WANT TO HAVE TRAINED PEOPLE
[25:59] AVAILABLE TO HELP IDENTIFY AND
[26:01] RESPOND TO PROBLEMS VOTERS MAY
[26:04] ENCOUNTER AT THE POLLS AND TO
[26:05] MAKE SURE VOTERS UNDERSTAND
[26:07] THEIR RIGHTS IN THE PROCESS.
[26:09] OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE PEOPLE IN
[26:11] COMMUNITIES BEFORE ELECTION DAY
[26:13] PEOPLE ON THE PHONES, PEOPLE AT
[26:16] TABLES, PEOPLE AT FORUMS AND
[26:18] TRAIN VOLUNTEERS PREPARE TO
[26:20] RESPOND ON ELECTION DAY.
[26:22] THAT IS WHERE VOTER ENGAGEMENT
[26:23] LOOKS LIKE IN PRACTICE ALONG
[26:25] WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
[26:27] BUT OUR WORK IS NOT SIMPLE.
[26:29] IT'S NOT SIMPLY ABOUT GETTING
[26:31] INFORMATION INTO PEOPLE'S
[26:32] HANDS.
[26:33] IT IS ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT
[26:35] THE INFORMATION REACHES PEOPLE
[26:36] THROUGH ORGANIZATIONS AND
[26:38] INDIVIDUALS THEY KNOW AND TRUST
[26:40] .
[26:41] HENCE THE PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE
[26:43] ACROSS THE STATE WITH
[26:44] GRASSROOTS BASED BUILDING
[26:46] ORGANIZATIONS THAT.
[26:48] IS.
[26:48] PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FOR
[26:49] VOTERS WHO MAY FACE GREATER
[26:51] BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION YOUNG
[26:53] VOTERS, FIRST TIME VOTERS,
[26:56] VOTERS WHO HAVE RECENTLY MOVED
[26:58] AND PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT
[26:59] REGULARLY ENGAGE WITH THE.
[27:01] POLITICAL PROCESS.
[27:03] ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION AND
[27:05] THAT IS WHAT BRINGS ME TO THAT
[27:07] MASS VOTE HAS BEEN ADVOCATING
[27:09] FOR ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION
[27:10] SINCE I CAME TO MASS VOTE AS AN
[27:13] ORGANIZER IN 2008.
[27:16] FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES WE HAVE
[27:18] HEARD FROM VOTERS WHO ENCOUNTER
[27:20] REGISTRATION BARRIERS AT
[27:22] PRECISELY THE MOMENT THEY ARE
[27:23] TRYING TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT
[27:25] TO VOTE.
[27:26] SOMETIMES A PERSON HAS MOVED
[27:27] AND THEIR REGISTRATION
[27:28] INFORMATION HAS NOT BEEN
[27:30] UPDATED.
[27:30] UH, SOMETIMES A YOUNG PERSON
[27:32] BECOMES ELIGIBLE TO VOTE BUT
[27:34] MISSES THE REGISTRATION
[27:36] DEADLINE.
[27:37] SOMETIMES A VOTER BELIEVES THEY
[27:39] ARE REGISTERED AND ONLY
[27:40] DISCOVERS A PROBLEM WHEN THEY
[27:42] ARRIVE AT THE POLLING LOCATION
[27:43] .
[27:44] THESE ARE NOT NECESSARILY
[27:45] PEOPLE WHO DECIDED NOT TO
[27:47] PARTICIPATE.
[27:48] THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO SHOWED UP
[27:51] AND THAT DISTRACTION MATTERS.
[27:53] THERE'S A REAL DISTINCTION
[27:55] THERE.
[27:56] QUESTION FOUR WOULD CREATE A
[27:57] PROCESS FOR AN ELIGIBLE VOTER
[28:00] TO REGISTER OR UPDATE THEIR
[28:01] VOTER REGISTRATION ADDRESS AT
[28:03] THE POLLING LOCATION ON
[28:05] ELECTION DAY.
[28:06] THE PROPOSED PROCESS INCLUDES
[28:09] REQUIREMENTS TO ESTABLISH
[28:11] RESIDENCY AND AFFIRM.
[28:13] ELIGIBILITY FOR MASS VOTE.
[28:15] THIS IS FUNDAMENTALLY ABOUT
[28:17] LIFTING A BARRIER TO VOTING
[28:19] WHILE MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY
[28:21] OF THE ELECTION PROCESS.
[28:22] OUR RESPONSIBILITY BETWEEN NOW
[28:25] AND NOVEMBER IS TO EDUCATE
[28:27] VOTERS ABOUT WHAT IS ON THE
[28:28] BALLOT, INCLUDING QUESTION FOUR
[28:30] AND TO MAKE SURE COMMUNITIES
[28:32] UNDERSTAND THE VOTING PROCESS.
[28:33] BUT I ALSO WANT TO EMPHASIZE
[28:35] SOMETHING TO THE MEMBERS
[28:37] OF THIS COMMITTEE VOTER
[28:40] EDUCATION CANNOT SOLVE EVERY
[28:42] BARRIER.
[28:42] WE CAN TELL SOMEONE THE
[28:45] REGISTRATION DEADLINE.
[28:46] WE CAN REMIND THEM TO CHECK
[28:48] THEIR REGISTRATION.
[28:49] WE CAN HELP THEM UNDERSTAND
[28:51] WHERE TO VOTE.
[28:52] BUT IF SOMEONE MISSES A
[28:54] DEADLINE, MOVES UNEXPECTEDLY OR
[28:57] DISCOVERS THE REGISTRATION
[28:58] PROBLEM WHEN THEY ARRIVE AT THE
[29:00] POLLS, INFORMATION ALONE CANNOT
[29:02] FIX THAT PROBLEM.
[29:03] THAT IS WHY ELECTION DAY
[29:05] REGISTRATION CAN MAKE A
[29:06] DIFFERENCE.
[29:07] MARCELLO BELIEVES THAT
[29:09] MASSACHUSETTS SHOULD CONTINUE
[29:10] LOOKING FOR WAYS TO ENSURE THAT
[29:12] ELIGIBLE CITIZENS CAN
[29:14] PARTICIPATE IN OUR ELECTIONS,
[29:15] AND THAT OUR ELECTION SYSTEM
[29:17] REFLECTS THE REALITIES
[29:19] OF PEOPLE'S LIVES.
[29:20] PEOPLE MOVE, PEOPLE CHANGE JOBS
[29:22] ,YOUNG PEOPLE TURN 18, LIFE
[29:24] HAPPENS AND OUR DEMOCRACY
[29:26] SHOULD BE DESIGNED WITH THOSE
[29:28] REALITIES IN MIND.
[29:30] FOR 25 YEARS MASSPORT HAS
[29:31] WORKED ALONGSIDE COMMUNITY
[29:33] PARTNERS ACROSS THE
[29:34] COMMONWEALTH TO STRENGTHEN
[29:36] CIVIC CIVIC PARTICIPATION.
[29:39] AS WE PROFIT AS WE PREPARE FOR
[29:41] THIS ELECTION, WE WILL CONTINUE
[29:43] DOING THAT WORK DISTRIBUTING
[29:46] INFORMATION, MAKING PHONE CALLS
[29:48] ,TABLING IN COMMUNITIES,
[29:49] HOSTING FORUMS, EDUCATING
[29:50] VOTERS AND MOBILIZING
[29:52] VOLUNTEERS FOR ELECTION
[29:53] PROTECTION.
[29:54] AND WE WILL CONTINUE ADVOCATING
[29:56] FOR A SYSTEM WHERE AN ELIGIBLE
[29:58] VOTER WHO HAS MADE THE EFFORT
[30:00] TO SHOW UP AND PARTICIPATE HAS
[30:03] A MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITY TO DO
[30:05] SO BECAUSE DEMOCRACY IS
[30:07] STRONGEST WHEN ELIGIBLE VOTERS
[30:08] ARE NOT PREVENTED FROM
[30:10] PARTICIPATING BY BARRIERS THAT
[30:12] CAN BE RESPONSIBLY REMOVED.
[30:14] THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR
[30:16] YOUR COMMITMENT TO
[30:17] STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY IN
[30:19] MASSACHUSETTS.
[30:20] THANK YOU.
[30:20] THANK YOU SO MUCH, CHERYL.
[30:22] UH, WE'LL NOW TURN IT OVER TO
[30:24] TRACY.
[30:24] TRACY, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
[30:32] GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.
[30:33] UH, MY NAME IS TRACY GRIFFITH.
[30:36] I'M HERE TO TESTIFY ON BEHALF
[30:37] OF THE ACLU OF MASSACHUSETTS
[30:40] WHERE I DIRECT THE RACIAL
[30:41] JUSTICE PROGRAM.
[30:42] UM, AND WE'RE HERE SUPPORTING
[30:44] THE BOSTON CITY COUNCIL'S
[30:45] COMMITTEE ON CENSUS
[30:46] REDISTRICTING AND ELECTIONS
[30:47] PARTICULARLY DOCKET NUMBER 0183
[30:50] REGARDING VOTER ACCESSIBILITY
[30:52] AND ELECTION PREPAREDNESS.
[30:54] UM, YOU KNOW, AS IS THE
[30:55] INTENTION OF THIS COMMITTEE, WE
[30:57] AT THE ACLU OF MASSACHUSETTS
[30:59] ARE SEEKING TO REMOVE BARRIERS
[31:01] THAT PREVENT QUALIFIED VOTERS
[31:02] FROM PARTICIPATING IN ELECTIONS
[31:04] AND HAVING THEIR VOTES COUNTED
[31:06] .
[31:06] AND I WILL SPEAK TODAY VERY
[31:08] SPECIFICALLY ABOUT ISSUES
[31:10] ENCOUNTERED DURING THE RECENT
[31:11] PRIMARY ELECTION THAT WE FEEL
[31:13] NEED TO BE ADDRESSED TO ENSURE
[31:15] THE NOVEMBER 3RD GENERAL
[31:16] ELECTION IS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL
[31:19] VOTERS IN THE CITY OF BOSTON.
[31:21] UH, THE ACLU OF MASSACHUSETTS
[31:23] IS PROUD TO BE A PART OF THE
[31:24] ELECTION UH PROTECTION UM
[31:27] PROGRAM AND OUR MANY PARTNERS
[31:29] WHO ARE PARTICIPATING IN THIS
[31:31] HEARING TODAY AS A PART OF THE
[31:34] EP PROGRAM, WE CONDUCTED SITE
[31:36] VISITS AND ASSISTED IN
[31:38] VOLUNTEER SUPPORT AND
[31:39] COORDINATION AT POLLING PLACES
[31:40] IN ROXBURY, DORCHESTER,
[31:43] MATTAPAN AND A VARIETY OF OTHER
[31:45] PLACES AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH
[31:46] .
[31:46] OUR ROLE WAS TO OBSERVE ANY
[31:48] ISSUES OR DISCREPANCIES THAT
[31:50] COULD PREVENT OR DISCOURAGE A
[31:52] REGISTERED VOTER FROM VOTING.
[31:54] IN THE 2026 MASSACHUSETTS
[31:56] PRIMARY ELECTION, THE MOST
[31:58] PREVALENT ISSUES OBSERVED
[32:00] DURING OUR WORK ON PRIMARY
[32:02] ELECTION DAY WERE RELATED TO
[32:03] SIGNAGE AND ACCESSIBILITY
[32:07] ISSUES WITH ACCESSIBILITY AT
[32:08] POLLING LOCATIONS IN ROXBURY,
[32:11] DORCHESTER AND MATTAPAN WERE
[32:13] THE MOST.
[32:14] CONSISTENT AND GLARING PROBLEM
[32:16] OBSERVED ON PRIMARY DAY.
[32:18] MANY LOCATIONS HAD LITTLE TO NO
[32:21] ADA DESIGNATED PARKING SPACES
[32:23] AND WHEN ASKED WHY THIS WAS THE
[32:25] CASE, ANSWERS RANGED FROM NOT
[32:27] KNOWING THE PARKING SPACE HAD
[32:29] TO BE PROVIDED TO THE FACT THAT
[32:31] VERY FEW VOTERS AT THE POLLING
[32:32] LOCATION NEEDED SUCH
[32:34] ACCOMMODATION.
[32:35] THAT IS NOT THE STANDARD AT
[32:37] ORCHARD PARK COMMUNITY CENTER,
[32:39] THE SIGN DESIGNATED THE PARKING
[32:41] SPOT WAS SO FADED THAT IT WAS
[32:44] DIFFICULT TO INITIALLY ASSESS
[32:47] WHETHER IT WAS MEANT FOR ADA
[32:49] USERS.
[32:49] IT WAS ALSO THE ONLY SPACE
[32:51] PROVIDED.
[32:53] THERE WAS ALSO AN ISSUE
[32:55] OF MULTIPLE SITES THAT HAD
[32:56] HEAVY DOORS WITH NO AUTOMATED
[32:58] DOOR OPENING FUNCTION, ALTHOUGH
[33:00] THIS MAY NOT BE A REQUIREMENT,
[33:03] IT CERTAINLY WOULD MAKE IT MORE
[33:05] ACCESSIBLE ALTHOUGH THEY DID
[33:06] HAVE COMPLIANT HANDLES ON THOSE
[33:09] DOORS AT ONE LOCATION THE GREAT
[33:12] HALL AT CODMAN SQUARE HEALTH
[33:13] CENTER SIGNS THAT DIRECTED
[33:16] TOWARD AN ADA ACCESSIBLE
[33:17] ENTRANCE TOOK YOU AROUND THE
[33:19] BUILDING, THEN UP A STEEP HILL
[33:22] LEADING TO A DOOR THAT WAS
[33:24] LOCKED.
[33:25] YOU WERE FORCED TO GO THROUGH
[33:27] THE MAIN ENTRANCE WHICH HAD
[33:29] FIVE STEEP STEPS WITH NO
[33:31] RAILING.
[33:32] AT LEAST THAT DOOR WAS PROPPED
[33:34] OPEN.
[33:35] ALL OF THE LOCATIONS DID HAVE
[33:38] AUTOMATIC MACHINES, AND POLL
[33:39] WORKERS UNDERSTOOD HOW TO USE
[33:41] THEM, SO THAT WAS A GOOD THING.
[33:43] BUT ACCESSIBILITY AT THE
[33:45] HIGGINSON LOUIS K THROUGH EIGHT
[33:47] SCHOOL WAS VIRTUALLY
[33:48] IMPOSSIBLE.
[33:49] THIS WAS IN LARGE PART DUE TO
[33:51] THE SCHOOLS STILL BEING OPEN
[33:53] AND HAVING THEIR PROFESSIONAL
[33:55] DEVELOPMENT DAY ON THE SAME DAY
[33:57] AS THE PRIMARY, MEANING THAT
[33:58] THE PRESENCE OF TEACHERS AND
[34:01] PARENTS AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS
[34:02] LEFT ALMOST NO PARKING
[34:04] AVAILABLE FOR ANYONE AND THE
[34:06] ADA SPOTS IN THE PARKING LOT
[34:08] AND ON THE STREET WERE
[34:09] THEREFORE TAKEN.
[34:12] THE NEXT ISSUE THE SECOND
[34:13] BIGGEST CHALLENGE VOTERS FACED
[34:15] ON PRIMARY DAY WAS SIGNAGE.
[34:18] THIS WAS ALSO AN ISSUE AT
[34:20] ALMOST EVERY LOCATION,
[34:23] ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH MULTIPLE
[34:24] OPEN ENTRANCES.
[34:26] MULTIPLE SITES REPORTED VOTERS
[34:28] BEING CONFUSED ABOUT HOW TO
[34:30] FIND THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE
[34:31] POLLING LOCATION.
[34:33] THE ONLY LOCATIONS OBSERVED
[34:35] WHERE SIGNAGE WAS ADEQUATE HAD
[34:37] ONE ENTRANCE, MAKING IT EASIER
[34:40] TO DIRECT VOTERS SIGNS OFTEN
[34:42] ONLY EXTENDED ABOUT 10 TO 15FT
[34:44] FROM THE ENTRANCE.
[34:46] MEANING IF YOU PARKED OR
[34:47] APPROACHED FROM A DIFFERENT
[34:48] DIRECTION AS WAS THE CASE FOR
[34:50] HIGGINS AND LEWIS K THROUGH
[34:51] EIGHT YOU WERE LEFT TO CLOSE TO
[34:53] GET CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE MAIN
[34:55] ENTRANCE TO SEE YOUR VERY FIRST
[34:57] SIGN.
[34:58] UM, YOU KNOW, ONE OF OUR
[35:00] RECOMMENDATIONS IS THAT SIGNAGE
[35:02] EXTEND AS FAR AS MAYBE 100FT
[35:03] FROM THE MAIN ENTRANCE WITH
[35:05] DIRECTIONAL SIGNS ON ALL SIDES
[35:08] OF THE POLLING LOCATION.
[35:11] MANY SIGNS WERE ALSO HARD TO
[35:12] READ FROM A DISTANCE AND POORLY
[35:14] PLACED AROUND LOCATIONS UM.
[35:16] THIS LED TO REPORTS OF SOME
[35:18] VOTERS INITIALLY BEING CONFUSED
[35:20] ABOUT IF THEIR WARD AND
[35:21] PRECINCT WERE INSIDE THE
[35:23] CORRECT POLLING LOCATION.
[35:25] THE MORE PROMINENT SIGNS WERE
[35:26] PRONE TO COLLAPSING DUE TO
[35:28] BEING MADE OF PAPER AND
[35:29] OF COURSE IT RAINED ON PRIMARY
[35:31] MORNING.
[35:32] THESE ARE ISSUES THAT ARE QUITE
[35:34] EASILY RESOLVED WITH A LITTLE
[35:35] ATTENTION TO DETAIL,
[35:37] PRE-ELECTION SITE AUDITS AND A
[35:39] COLLABORATIVE WORKING
[35:40] PARTNERSHIP WITH ORGANIZATIONS
[35:42] LIKE MANY OF THOSE HERE THAT
[35:44] PROMOTE ELECTION PROTECTION AND
[35:46] ARE ON THE GROUND THE DAY
[35:48] OF THE ELECTION WATCHING FOR
[35:49] PROBLEMS SUCH AS THESE.
[35:51] I WANT TO THANK COUNCILORS
[35:53] LOUIJEUNE AND PEPEN FOR
[35:54] BRINGING US TOGETHER TODAY AND
[35:57] TO CONTINUE TO MAKE VOTING
[35:58] ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL ELIGIBLE
[36:00] VOTERS HERE IN BOSTON.
[36:02] THANK YOU.
[36:04] THANK YOU SO MUCH, TRACY.
[36:06] UM, AND THANK YOU FOR LAYING
[36:08] OUT SOME ISSUES THAT WE NEED TO
[36:10] WORK ON.
[36:11] I DID SEE SOME ADMINISTRATION
[36:13] WRITING DOWN SOME OF THE
[36:14] ISSUES, SO I THINK THEY WERE
[36:15] TAKING SOME OF THOSE TO HEARTS
[36:16] AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS
[36:17] WHY WE HAVE THESE HEARINGS.
[36:18] SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[36:19] UH AND LASTLY WE HAVE A VIDEO
[36:20] FROM RAHSAAN HALL, EXECUTIVE
[36:22] DIRECTOR OF THE URBAN LEAGUE
[36:24] OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS.
[36:26] WHO WILL THAT WE WILL PLAY?
[36:30] CHERYL LOUIJEUNE AND MEMBERS
[36:31] OF THE COMMITTEE THANK YOU FOR
[36:33] THE OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY.
[36:35] I'M RAHSAAN HALL, PRESIDENT AND
[36:37] CEO OF THE URBAN LEAGUE
[36:38] OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS.
[36:40] FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES
[36:41] VOTING RIGHTS HAVE BEEN CENTRAL
[36:43] TO MY WORK.
[36:44] I HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ELECTION
[36:46] PROTECTION EFFORTS SINCE 2004
[36:48] AND THE LAWYERS FOR CIVIL
[36:50] RIGHTS I WORKED ON LITIGATION
[36:52] TO EXPAND VOTER REGISTRATION
[36:54] ACCESS UNDER THE NATIONAL VOTER
[36:55] REGISTRATION ACT AT THE ACLU
[36:58] OF MASSACHUSETTS, I WAS
[36:59] INVOLVED IN LITIGATION
[37:00] CHALLENGING MASSACHUSETTS VOTER
[37:03] REGISTRATION CUTOFF.
[37:04] I'VE ADVOCATED FOR FAIR AND
[37:06] REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICTS
[37:07] THROUGH THE DRAWING DEMOCRACY
[37:09] COALITION.
[37:10] DURING THE 2011 AND 2021
[37:13] REDISTRICTING EFFORTS THROUGH
[37:14] DRAWING DEMOCRACY COALITION UH,
[37:17] THE PROCESS THAT ALSO INCLUDED
[37:19] BOSTON'S 2012 REDISTRICTING.
[37:21] I'VE ALSO BEEN A LONG TIME
[37:23] PARTICIPANT IN THE ELECTION
[37:25] MODERNIZATION COALITION, WORKED
[37:26] THROUGH THE MASKED COUNT'S
[37:28] COALITION TO PROMOTE A FAIR AND
[37:30] ACCURATE CENSUS AND CURRENTLY
[37:32] SERVE WITH RANKED CHOICE FOSTER
[37:35] I OFFER THAT BACKGROUND BECAUSE
[37:37] ACCESS TO THE BALLOT AND
[37:39] COMPETENT ELECTION
[37:40] ADMINISTRATION ARE INSEPARABLE.
[37:43] DOCKET ZERO 183 APPROPRIATELY
[37:46] CALLS FOR EXAMINING BALLOT
[37:48] PLANNING, POLL WORKER
[37:49] RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING,
[37:51] COMMUNICATIONS ACCESSIBILITY
[37:52] AND COORDINATION BETWEEN
[37:54] MUNICIPAL AND STATE OFFICIALS
[37:57] THAT DOCKET UH, IN LIGHT
[37:59] OF BOSTON'S RECENT HISTORY
[38:00] DEMONSTRATES WHY THAT
[38:03] EXAMINATION MATTERS.
[38:05] IN 2024, MULTIPLE PRECINCTS
[38:07] LACKED SUFFICIENT BALLOTS,
[38:09] COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS BECAME
[38:10] OVERWHELMED AND VOTERS
[38:12] EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT DELAYS
[38:13] .
[38:13] THE SECRETARY OF THE
[38:15] COMMONWEALTH SUBSEQUENTLY
[38:16] ORDERED AN OVERHAUL OF THE
[38:18] ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT AND STATE
[38:19] OVERSIGHT.
[38:20] THROUGH THIS YEAR.
[38:22] THERE HAVE BEEN IMPORTANT
[38:23] IMPROVEMENTS SINCE THEN
[38:25] INCLUDING EXPANDED POLL,
[38:26] EXPANDED POLL WORKER
[38:28] RECRUITMENT TRAINING, IMPROVED
[38:31] COMMUNICATIONS AND GREATER
[38:32] COORDINATION WITH STATE
[38:33] OFFICIALS AND THOSE
[38:35] IMPROVEMENTS SHOULD CONTINUE.
[38:36] THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN
[38:38] THE CURRENT ENVIRONMENT WHERE
[38:40] THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
[38:41] DEPLOYED MONITORS TO BOSTON AND
[38:43] OTHER MASSACHUSETTS POLLING
[38:45] LOCATIONS DURING THIS YEAR'S
[38:46] PRIMARY.
[38:47] THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
[38:48] DESCRIBES THIS AS FEDERAL
[38:51] ELECTION LAW MONITORING, WHICH
[38:53] HAS THE SIGNIFICANT AND
[38:56] IMPORTANT HISTORICAL PRECEDENT
[38:58] WHICH WHAT THE DEPARTMENT
[39:00] OF JUSTICE RECENTLY DID DOES
[39:01] NOT MEET THAT STANDARD.
[39:04] AT THE SAME TIME, WE SHOULD BE
[39:05] ATTENTIVE TO ANY ACTIONS OR
[39:07] MESSAGING THAT COULD INTIMIDATE
[39:09] OR DISCOURAGE ELIGIBLE VOTERS.
[39:11] THIS IS NOT A MOMENT TO RETREAT
[39:13] IT'S A MOMENT TO LEAN IN.
[39:16] BOSTON SHOULD ENSURE THAT
[39:17] ELECTIONS STAFF, EQUIPMENT,
[39:19] BALLOTS, LANGUAGE ACCESS,
[39:22] ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS,
[39:23] COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND
[39:24] CONTINGENCY PLANS ARE FULLY
[39:27] PREPARED AND THE CITY SHOULD
[39:28] CONTINUE WORKING CLOSELY WITH
[39:30] THE SECRETARY OF THE
[39:31] COMMONWEALTH AND WITH THE
[39:33] NONPROFITS AND CIVIL SOCIETY
[39:35] ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE LONG
[39:36] WORKED TO ENSURE FAIR,
[39:39] ACCESSIBLE AND EFFICIENTLY
[39:40] ADMINISTER ELECTIONS.
[39:43] FINALLY, THE URBAN LEAGUE
[39:45] OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS
[39:46] SUPPORTS ELECTION DAY VOTER
[39:48] REGISTRATION AND THE PURPOSE
[39:50] REFLECTED IN DOCKET 1805.
[39:52] THE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZES THAT
[39:54] QUESTION FOUR WOULD ALLOW
[39:56] ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS TO REGISTER
[39:58] OR UPDATE THEIR ADDRESSES AT
[40:00] POLLING PLACES ON ELECTION DAY,
[40:02] SUBJECT TO THE RESIDENCY AND
[40:04] ELIGIBILITY SAFEGUARDS OF THIS
[40:06] DOCKET.
[40:07] UH, THE SECRETARY OF THE
[40:08] COMMONWEALTH LIKEWISE CONFIRMS
[40:11] THOSE REQUIREMENTS THROUGH THE
[40:13] ELECTION MODERNIZATION
[40:14] COALITION.
[40:15] THE URBAN LEAGUE HAS
[40:17] CONSISTENTLY SUPPORTED SAME DAY
[40:19] REGISTRATION BECAUSE WE VIEW IT
[40:21] AS ONE IMPORTANT PIECE OF A
[40:22] BROADER MOSAIC OF REFORMS
[40:25] DESIGNED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY
[40:27] BARRIERS AND EXPAND
[40:28] PARTICIPATION.
[40:30] OUR ADVOCACY HAS NEVER BEEN
[40:32] ABOUT BENEFITING ONE
[40:33] NEIGHBORHOOD, ONE CONSTITUENCY
[40:36] OR ONE POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE.
[40:38] IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT
[40:40] ENSURING THAT EVERY ELIGIBLE
[40:43] BOSTON RESIDENT CAN
[40:45] PARTICIPATE, THAT EVERY LAWFUL
[40:46] VOTE CAN BE CAST AND COUNTED
[40:49] AND THAT OUR ELECTION SYSTEM
[40:51] EARNS THE CONFIDENCE OF THE
[40:53] PEOPLE IT SERVES.
[40:54] THAT HAS BEEN THE WORK OF THE
[40:56] URBAN LEAGUE FOR OVER 107 YEARS
[40:59] HERE IN THE CITY OF BOSTON AND
[41:01] THE SURROUNDING AREA, AND WE
[41:03] HOPE TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE
[41:05] WORK OF THIS COMMITTEE, UH, THE
[41:08] COUNCIL AND THE CITY TO ENSURE
[41:10] THAT THAT CONTINUES TO BE THE
[41:11] CASE FOR THE REST OF THE CITY
[41:14] OF BOSTON AND THE COMMONWEALTH.
[41:17] THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ON THANK
[41:20] YOU TO ALL OF THE PANELISTS.
[41:21] UM, WE'VE ALSO BEEN JOINED BY
[41:24] COUNCILOR WEBER.
[41:24] I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF MY
[41:25] COLLEAGUES WE'RE GOING TO MOVE
[41:26] TO QUESTIONS IF YOU WANT TO
[41:27] OFFER AN OPENING OR IF WE COULD
[41:29] JUST GO RIGHT INTO QUESTIONS
[41:30] OKAY.
[41:30] THANK YOU.
[41:31] I ALSO RECEIVED AN ABSENCE
[41:33] LETTER FROM UM COUNCILOR AND WE
[41:37] GAVE HER THEN A DEAR CHAIR
[41:38] LOUIJEUNE MR. CLERK AND
[41:39] COUNCIL COLLEAGUES I REGRET TO
[41:40] INFORM ME THAT I AM UNABLE TO
[41:42] ATTEND THIS MORNING'S COMMITTEE
[41:43] ON CENSUS SHOOTING AND
[41:44] ELECTIONS HEARING ON DOCKET
[41:46] NUMBER 0183 ORDER FOR A HEARING
[41:48] REGARDING VOTER ACCESSIBILITY
[41:49] AND ELECTION PREPAREDNESS AND
[41:52] 1805 RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT
[41:54] OF QUESTION FOUR UM AS A
[41:56] CO-SPONSOR OF DOCKET 0183, I'M
[41:57] COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT OUR
[41:58] ELECTIONS ARE CARRIED OUT
[41:59] EFFECTIVELY.
[42:00] EVERY VOTER SHOULD BE ABLE TO
[42:01] CAST THEIR BALLOT AT THEIR
[42:02] POLLING LOCATION NO MATTER THE
[42:03] ELECTION.
[42:03] WITH OUR UPCOMING STATE
[42:05] ELECTIONS, IT IS IMPERATIVE
[42:06] THAT THE BOSTON ELECTION
[42:07] COMMISSION HAS ALREADY
[42:08] REMEDIED, UH, PREVIOUS BALLOT
[42:10] PRINTING MISHAPS TRAIN POLL
[42:11] WORKERS TO THE BEST OF THEIR
[42:12] ABILITY ON SCIENCE AND
[42:13] TECHNOLOGY AND CLARIFIED ANY
[42:15] CONFUSION TO SUPPORT BOSTON'S
[42:16] VOTE BOSTON'S VOTERS TO HAVE AN
[42:18] EXPERIENCE FREE OF OBSTACLES.
[42:19] I'LL FOLLOW UP WITH ANY
[42:20] ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS UPON
[42:21] REVIEWING MY STAFF'S NOTES AND
[42:24] WATCHING THE RECORDING, PLEASE
[42:25] DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT MY
[42:26] STAFF WITH ANY QUESTIONS.
[42:28] SO THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES.
[42:29] THANK YOU AGAIN TO THE
[42:30] ADVOCATES AND THANK YOU FOR
[42:31] UPLIFTING SOMETHING THAT I
[42:33] OMITTED IN THE BEGINNING.
[42:34] RIGHT.
[42:34] THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S
[42:36] ATTEMPT TO INTIMIDATE US AND
[42:38] OUR VOTERS IN THE ELECTION
[42:41] PROCESS.
[42:41] UH, WE KNOW THAT VOTING IS
[42:43] SECRET AND WE KNOW THAT
[42:44] ESPECIALLY IN THIS CLIMATE, UH,
[42:46] FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT
[42:48] IN ANYTHING UH, BEYOND WHAT IS
[42:51] PERMISSIBLE AND WHAT IS LEGAL
[42:54] UH CREATES FEAR AMONG A LOT
[42:56] OF COMMUNITIES AND IS
[42:57] COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY AND IS
[42:59] DETRIMENTAL TO THE WORK
[43:00] OF DEMOCRACY.
[43:00] SO THANK YOU.
[43:01] I NEVER SAW HIM UPLIFTED IT UM
[43:03] AND OTHERS AS WELL.
[43:04] SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK
[43:05] YOU FOR REMINDING US OF THE
[43:06] CLIMATE THAT WE'RE IN AND WHY
[43:09] WE NEED TO EVEN DOUBLE DOWN ON
[43:11] BEING INTENTIONAL ABOUT MAKING
[43:13] DEMOCRACY ACCESSIBLE.
[43:14] TO EVERY PERSON.
[43:14] SO I'M JUST GOING TO START OFF
[43:16] WITH SOME QUESTIONS I'M GOING
[43:17] TO GIVE MYSELF UH TOTAL
[43:19] OF SEVEN MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS
[43:21] AND MY COLLEAGUES WILL HAVE TWO
[43:22] MINUTES NOW EVERYONE EVERYONE
[43:23] HAVE WE WILL HAVE SEVEN MINUTES
[43:26] FOR QUESTIONS AND THEN IF YOU
[43:28] NEED TO WE'LL DO A SECOND
[43:29] ROUND.
[43:29] IT'S FRIDAY Y'ALL GOTTA BRING
[43:31] SOME LEVITY INTO THIS OKAY UM
[43:33] SO MY FIRST QUESTION UH IT WAS
[43:36] MENTIONED AND WE TALKED ABOUT
[43:37] IT AND WE SAW IT IN SOME
[43:38] JURISDICTIONS UH, DURING THE UH
[43:41] PRIMARY BUT THERE ARE INACTIVE
[43:43] VOTERS WHO ARE REMOVED FROM THE
[43:45] VOTER ROLLS.
[43:45] IF YOU COULD TALK A LITTLE BIT
[43:46] ABOUT THAT, DO WE SEE THAT IN
[43:48] BOSTON?
[43:48] I KNOW THAT WE SAW IT WAS WE
[43:50] SAW IT IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
[43:51] AND WHAT IS THE EFFORT BEING
[43:53] DONE ON STATEWIDE TO SORT OF UH
[43:55] ,REVERSE THE TREND OF REMOVING
[43:57] INACTIVE VOTERS WHO ARE DEEMED
[43:59] TO BE INACTIVE AND WHY THEY'RE
[44:00] DEEMED INACTIVE FROM THE VOTING
[44:02] ROLLS.
[44:06] UH, SO I MEAN, I JUST KNOW THAT
[44:08] WE HAVE LEGISLATION THAT WE'RE
[44:09] TRYING TO ADVANCE TO DECOUPLE
[44:11] THAT SO THAT WE CANNOT HAVE UM
[44:13] ,YOU NOT FILLING OUT THE
[44:15] CENSUS IN THE FIRST PLACE THAT
[44:16] PUTS YOU ON THAT LIST?
[44:18] UM, BUT WE DO HAVE INACTIVE
[44:21] VOTERS AND WE HAVE A BUNCH OF.
[44:23] GO AHEAD.
[44:25] YEAH.
[44:25] I WOULD JUST ADD TO THAT
[44:27] THAT YES, THE MUNICIPAL CENSUS
[44:28] WE DO SEE AS THE NUMBER ONE
[44:30] BARRIER AND THE REASON FOR
[44:32] INACTIVE VOTERS UH.
[44:34] VOTERS TO BE DEEMED INACTIVE IN
[44:36] MASSACHUSETTS.
[44:37] I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW
[44:38] THINGS AS PART OF OUR
[44:39] LEGISLATIVE PUSH FOR THIS IS
[44:41] THAT MASSACHUSETTS IS THE ONLY
[44:42] STATE IN THE NATION.
[44:43] THAT HAS THE.
[44:44] MUNICIPAL CENSUS AND THE ANNUAL
[44:46] STREET LISTING TIED TO VOTER
[44:48] REGISTRATION IN THIS WAY THIS
[44:50] IS A UNIQUE PROBLEM TO
[44:52] MASSACHUSETTS AND UNFORTUNATELY
[44:52] NOT SOMETHING WE LEAD IN.
[44:54] UM, WE ALSO KNOW THAT, YOU
[44:56] KNOW, AS CHERYL PUT GREAT UH,
[44:58] VERY WELL IN HER REMARKS THAT
[45:00] VOTER EDUCATION CAN ONLY GO SO
[45:02] FAR THE AT.
[45:03] THE.
[45:04] LEAGUE WE CONTINUE TO REMIND
[45:05] VOTERS TO UM FILL OUT THEIR
[45:07] ANNUAL STREET LISTING BUT ONLY
[45:09] ONE STREET LISTING IS SENT PER
[45:11] HOUSEHOLD AND IN MANY UM, YOU
[45:13] KNOW, DISTRICTS IF YOU'RE A
[45:15] RENTER IT CAN BE.
[45:16] EVEN MORE COMPLICATED.
[45:17] TO GET YOUR STREET LISTING.
[45:18] ALL IT TAKES IS THE ONE PERSON
[45:20] WHO GRABS THE MAIL IN YOUR
[45:21] HOUSEHOLD.
[45:21] UM, ACTUALLY MY FIANCÉ DID THIS
[45:23] TO US WHERE HE THREW OUT THE
[45:25] STREET LISTING.
[45:25] I HAD TO FISH IT OUT AND, UH,
[45:27] GET THAT TOO.
[45:28] AND IF IT'S NOT RETURNED TO
[45:29] ALL THE VOTERS IN THE HOUSEHOLD
[45:30] THEN ARE DEEMED.
[45:31] YES, ALL THE VOTERS IN THE
[45:33] HOUSEHOLD ARE THEN.
[45:33] DEEMED I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IN
[45:34] BOSTON WE DO WE DO THIS DO WE
[45:37] DO THIS TO THE SAME EXTENT THAT
[45:38] WE DO?
[45:38] WE DO OKAY.
[45:39] WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT AT THE ON
[45:41] THE NEXT PANEL.
[45:41] SO YEAH SO I WOULD HIGHLIGHT
[45:43] THAT IS THE STREET LISTING.
[45:44] WE HAVE HAD LEGISLATION PUT
[45:46] FORWARD TO DECOUPLE THE
[45:47] MUNICIPAL CENSUS.
[45:48] WE'LL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR
[45:49] THAT.
[45:49] BUT IT IS.
[45:50] A WRAPAROUND APPROACH AND VOTER
[45:51] EDUCATION CAN ONLY GET US SO
[45:53] FAR IF.
[45:54] WE.
[45:54] DO NOT.
[45:54] REMOVE THAT TIE TO THE
[45:55] CENSUS.
[45:56] THANK YOU.
[45:56] I KNOW THAT THIS WAS A MAJOR
[45:57] ISSUE IN THE LAST MUNICIPAL
[45:58] ELECTION AS WELL IN OTHER
[46:00] JURISDICTIONS AND SO I'D LOVE
[46:02] TO WE DOES HAVE TO BE AT THIS
[46:04] MOMENT BUT IF SOMEONE CAN NAME
[46:05] THE BILL SO WE CAN SEE WHAT
[46:07] THIS COMMITTEE CAN DO TO BE IN
[46:08] SUPPORT, THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL
[46:10] IF ANYONE HAS THE BILL NUMBER
[46:11] AND STATUS OF WHERE IT STANDS
[46:12] AND HOW AND WHO FILED IT AND
[46:14] HOW WE CAN BE SUPPORTIVE.
[46:16] I CAN GRAB THAT FOR YOU IN JUST
[46:17] A SECOND.
[46:18] I HAVE OUR TRACKER PULLED UP.
[46:20] THANKS, BROOKE.
[46:21] I KNOW YOU ALSO SPOKE TO
[46:22] THIS SO I'M NOT SURE IF YOU
[46:23] WANTED TO SHARE.
[46:24] I THINK.
[46:25] UM I AM A BOSTON RESIDENT.
[46:28] I LIVE IN JAMAICA PLAIN.
[46:29] UM, AND I SIMILARLY I RECENTLY
[46:33] MOVED AND SORT OF SOME OF MY
[46:37] MAIL GOT LOST IN THE SHUFFLE
[46:38] AND UM BUT WE ALSO RECEIVED THE
[46:42] THE CENSUS UM FORM AND LUCKILY
[46:46] I DID FILL IT OUT.
[46:47] BUT YOU KNOW, I THINK UM IT'S
[46:49] IMPORTANT THAT WE FOCUS ON
[46:51] DECOUPLING.
[46:51] I KNOW THAT UM THE ISSUE IS IS
[46:55] PREVALENT IN BOSTON.
[46:56] THERE ARE CERTAIN CERTAINLY.
[46:57] OTHER MUNICIPALITIES WHERE IT
[46:59] WAS A.
[46:59] BIGGER ISSUE DURING THE PRIMARY
[47:01] THERE.
[47:01] WAS ONE POLLING PLACE IN
[47:03] LAWRENCE.
[47:04] WHERE 80%.
[47:06] OF THE VOTERS THAT SHOWED UP
[47:08] WERE ON THE INACTIVE LIST,
[47:09] WHICH IS LIKE TRULY REMARKABLE
[47:12] TO THINK THAT THE NUMBER WAS
[47:14] 80%.
[47:16] SO I DON'T HAVE SPECIFIC DATA
[47:17] FOR WHAT.
[47:18] IT LOOKED LIKE AT.
[47:18] POLLING PLACES IN BOSTON IN
[47:20] PARTICULAR.
[47:20] BUT I KNOW THIS IS AN ISSUE
[47:22] THAT REALLY AFFECTS EVERY
[47:23] CORNER OF THE COMMONWEALTH
[47:24] BECAUSE EVERYONE IS GETTING
[47:26] THAT THE SAME MAILINGS.
[47:28] YEAH THANK YOU.
[47:29] YEAH I I'VE HEARD ABOUT IT FROM
[47:30] A NUMBER OF VOTERS PARTICULARLY
[47:31] IF UH I HEAR ABOUT IT FROM
[47:33] HAITIAN VOTERS UM IN OTHER
[47:35] JURISDICTIONS.
[47:35] AND SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
[47:37] THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE
[47:38] CAN WORK ON LIKE IS IT IS THE
[47:41] ARE WE AT THE POINT WHERE ANY
[47:43] SORT OF BENEFIT THAT WE THINK
[47:44] WE'RE GETTING FROM REMOVING
[47:45] PEOPLE FROM THE ROLLS, UM, IS
[47:48] COMPLETELY OUTWEIGHED BY THE
[47:49] HARM THAT IS HAPPENING?
[47:50] AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT WE MAY
[47:52] BE AT THAT TIPPING POINT AND WE
[47:54] MAY HAVE BEEN THERE FOR SOME
[47:55] SOME TIME.
[47:55] OKAY, I'M TALKING TOO MUCH SO I
[47:57] WON'T BE ABLE TO GET TO MY
[47:58] QUESTIONS BUT UM UH MY NEXT OH
[48:00] AND WE'VE BEEN JOINED BY UH
[48:02] COUNCILOR AT LARGE.
[48:02] YOU'LL HEAR MEJIA.
[48:03] THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS
[48:04] MORNING.
[48:04] UM.
[48:05] WANTED TO ASK AS WE THINK
[48:08] ABOUT QUESTION FOUR AND THE
[48:10] IMPORTANCE OF SAME DAY UM, UH,
[48:13] VOTER REGISTRATION CAN YOU TALK
[48:14] ABOUT WHAT ELSE THE CITY SHOULD
[48:16] BE DOING IN ORDER TO PREPARE
[48:17] FOR THE POTENTIAL AND HOPEFUL
[48:19] IMPLEMENTATION OF IT IN 2028 TO
[48:22] ENSURE THAT, YOU KNOW, ONE
[48:23] OF THE CRITIQUES IS THAT, YOU
[48:24] KNOW, HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT
[48:25] THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO
[48:27] VOTE ARE THE ACTUAL ONES
[48:30] VOTING?
[48:30] SO IF ANYONE COULD COULD SPEAK
[48:31] TO THAT THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.
[48:37] YEAH.
[48:37] AND THANK YOU SO MUCH
[48:38] COUNCILOR FOR BRINGING THAT UP
[48:39] .
[48:40] BEFORE I GET INTO THAT I JUST
[48:41] FIND THE BILL NUMBER FOR THE
[48:43] DECOUPLING BILL.
[48:44] SO IT'S HOUSE BILL 799 SENATE
[48:45] BILL 503 UM PRESENTED BY
[48:48] REPRESENTATIVE ARRIAGA.
[48:50] IN.
[48:50] THE HOUSE AND UM SENATOR CINDY
[48:52] CREAM IN THE SENATE UM AND IT
[48:54] IS CURRENTLY UM SENT TO STUDY
[48:56] UH DUE TO THE NEW RULES UM IN
[48:59] THE HOUSE OR IN THE STATE HOUSE
[49:01] BUT SPEAKING TO THE
[49:03] IMPLEMENTATION OF ELECTION DAY
[49:04] REGISTRATION, THE SUPPORT OF WE
[49:07] CANNOT UM, UNDERMINE HOW MUCH
[49:08] THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY
[49:10] COUNCIL HERE IN BOSTON WOULD
[49:11] HELP US.
[49:11] WITH THIS.
[49:12] IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICALLY IN
[49:13] HELPING US IDENTIFY THE WAYS
[49:15] THAT.
[49:16] UM.
[49:17] WE CAN WORK BETTER AS
[49:18] ADVOCATES TO SUPPORT
[49:19] IMPLEMENTATION.
[49:20] UM, WE KNOW THAT THIS IT HAS
[49:23] THE SUPPORT OF OUR CHIEF CLERK
[49:25] ,UM, SECRETARY GALVIN WHO
[49:26] BROUGHT IT TO THE BALLOT.
[49:27] BUT WE.
[49:28] ALSO KNOW THAT THIS IS
[49:29] SOMETHING THAT TAKES A LOT
[49:30] OF CARE.
[49:31] UM, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE
[49:33] IMPLEMENTATION AND HOW BEST TO
[49:35] PREPARE FOR IT.
[49:36] UM, I'M WORKING DIRECTLY WITH
[49:38] THE SECRETARY'S OFFICE AS
[49:39] ALWAYS.
[49:40] WHAT I HIGHLY RECOMMEND UM,
[49:41] THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED THE.
[49:42] DIFFERENT.
[49:43] WAYS THAT.
[49:43] HAVE A FUNDING.
[49:44] CAN HELP WITH THE.
[49:45] IMPLEMENTATION UM, AS WELL AS
[49:47] DIFFERENT WAYS TO UM EDUCATE
[49:49] AND TRAIN ON ELECTION DAY
[49:52] REGISTRATION.
[49:53] UM, SOMETHING I ALWAYS LIKE TO
[49:54] POINT TO AS WELL IS THAT
[49:56] ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION OR
[49:57] SOME FORM OF SAME DAY
[49:58] REGISTRATION IS ACTUALLY NOT
[50:00] QUITE NEW TO MASSACHUSETTS.
[50:01] IT'S NEW IN THE SENSE OF ON
[50:03] ELECTION DAY.
[50:04] BUT DURING THE EARLY VOTING
[50:05] PERIOD WE DO HAVE A DAYS
[50:07] OVERLAP WHERE OUR POLL WORKERS
[50:09] AND OUR AWESOME ADMINISTRATORS
[50:11] ARE USED TO DOING A FORM
[50:12] OF VOTER REGISTRATION ON AN
[50:14] ELECTION DAY.
[50:15] SO I WOULD LOOK TO THOSE
[50:17] PROCESSES AND UM I APOLOGIZE
[50:19] I'M NOT A RESIDENT OF BOSTON SO
[50:21] I CAN'T SPEAK TO UH THAT HERE.
[50:24] I WOULD LOOK TO OUR OTHER
[50:25] PANELISTS FOR THAT.
[50:25] BUT UM, AS FAR AS THAT I ALWAYS
[50:28] LOOK TO HOW ARE THOSE PROCESSES
[50:29] GOING AND CAN THAT BE EXPANDED
[50:31] FURTHER?
[50:32] THANK YOU.
[50:33] UM, CHERYL, YOU.
[50:34] WANT TO.
[50:34] I.
[50:35] WAS JUST GOING TO SAY I'VE
[50:36] WITNESSED IT HAPPENING IN NEW
[50:37] HAMPSHIRE.
[50:38] WE TOOK A BUNCH OF FOLK OVER
[50:39] TO.
[50:40] NEW HAMPSHIRE TO WATCH.
[50:41] ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION
[50:42] HAPPENING.
[50:43] IT WAS SEAMLESS AND I WE THINK
[50:45] THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE IN IN 23
[50:47] OTHER STATES AND IN WASHINGTON
[50:49] DC THAT WE COULD PULL.
[50:50] FROM SOME OF THE SUCCESSES THAT
[50:52] THEY'VE HAD IN IMPLEMENTING UM
[50:54] EDR BUT TRAINING AND EDUCATION.
[50:56] SO JUST YOU KNOW, WHAT WE DO IN
[50:58] ANY WAY IS CRITICAL AS WE BRING
[51:00] IT FORWARD.
[51:00] THANK YOU CHERYL AND TRACY I
[51:02] JUST WANT TO SAY IF YOU
[51:03] WHENEVER YOU WANT TO JUMP IN TO
[51:04] ALSO TRACY FEEL FREE.
[51:06] SO UM I AM NOW GOING TO MOVE ON
[51:08] TO UH MY COLLEAGUES AND IF I
[51:09] HAVE MORE QUESTIONS SO THERE
[51:10] WILL BE A SECOND ROUND I'LL ASK
[51:12] A SECOND ROUND BUT UM,
[51:13] COUNCIL PRESIDENT BREADON, YOU
[51:14] HAVE THE FLOOR.
[51:15] UM THANK YOU.
[51:16] UM, I.
[51:17] THINK.
[51:18] THIS ISSUE.
[51:18] WITHIN ACTIVE.
[51:19] VOTING UM, IT'S DEFINITELY
[51:21] NEEDED.
[51:21] WE NEED TO ADDRESS IT.
[51:23] UH, I'M CURIOUS THE THE
[51:25] LAURENS PRECINCT WHERE THE, UH
[51:27] ,INACTIVE VOTERS WHO WERE HAD
[51:30] TO PROBABLY TAKE A PROVISIONAL
[51:31] BALLOT UM.
[51:33] UH.
[51:34] IS IS THE CURRENT IS THE
[51:36] CURRENT IMMIGRATION CLIMATE UM,
[51:39] IMPACTING YOU KNOW, ARE FOLKS
[51:42] AFRAID TO UM, RETURN THEIR
[51:45] MUNICIPAL CENTERS?
[51:46] UH, I'M JUST CURIOUS JUST.
[51:49] THAT'S I.
[51:50] CAN'T SPEAK TO THAT
[51:51] SPECIFICALLY, BUT I DO KNOW
[51:53] THAT.
[51:53] FOLKS WHO COME FROM MIXED
[51:55] STATUS HOUSEHOLDS.
[51:56] WHO ARE.
[51:57] INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUALS OF COLOR
[52:00] UM, WHO ARE IMMIGRANTS
[52:01] THEMSELVES CERTAINLY.
[52:02] ARE A LITTLE BIT.
[52:03] MORE WARY OF ANY TYPE
[52:04] OF GOVERNMENT MAIL.
[52:05] UM AND I THINK THAT AND THEN
[52:08] ALSO IF YOU'RE AN INACTIVE
[52:09] VOTER YOU HAVE TO SHOW AN ID UM
[52:11] AND SOMETIMES THAT IT DOESN'T
[52:13] HAVE TO BE A PHOTO ID BUT STILL
[52:16] PEOPLE.
[52:16] GET A LITTLE KIND OF ON EDGE
[52:18] WHEN THEY'RE ASKED TO PRESENT A
[52:19] FORM OF IDENTIFICATION EVEN IF
[52:20] THEY ARE AN ELIGIBLE VOTER.
[52:21] AND SO I THINK ALL OF THESE
[52:23] SORT OF.
[52:24] LET'S CALL IT.
[52:26] JUST LIKE BUREAUCRATIC.
[52:27] PAPERWORK FOR LACK OF.
[52:28] A BETTER TERM.
[52:29] IT IT DEFINITELY STANDS TO
[52:31] CHILL ELIGIBLE VOTERS, UM,
[52:33] PARTICULARLY FROM THESE MOST
[52:34] VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES.
[52:36] THANK YOU.
[52:36] UM SO SAME TO VOTER
[52:39] REGISTRATION REALLY SEEMS LIKE
[52:40] A NO BRAINER TO ME BUT UM AND
[52:42] THESE 24 OTHER STATES HAVE BEEN
[52:44] DOING IT.
[52:45] UM, UH, ARE THERE PARTICULAR
[52:49] BARRIERS IN MASSACHUSETTS THAT
[52:51] YOU KNOW, HOW DO WE IF WE HAD
[52:53] AN EXCEPTION TO THE RULE, WHY
[52:55] IS IT SUCH A CHALLENGE HERE?
[52:58] ARE THERE PARTICULAR BARRIERS
[53:00] THAT PEOPLE HOLD UP?
[53:03] AND SO WE COULDN'T I THINK
[53:04] IT'S.
[53:04] CALLED LEGISLATORS.
[53:05] YOU JUST.
[53:06] CAN'T JUST GET IT.
[53:07] YOU SAID IT MIGHT BE.
[53:09] NO I THINK THAT IS A PART
[53:10] OF IT.
[53:10] WE I CAME TO MASS VOTE AS I
[53:12] SAID IN MY REMARKS IN.
[53:13] 2008 AS AN ORGANIZER TO PASS
[53:16] EDR AND WE'VE BEEN AT IT WE'VE
[53:18] BEEN AT IT.
[53:18] AND TO YOUR POINT, COUNCILOR,
[53:21] IT IS A NO BRAINER.
[53:22] THERE ARE BARRIERS AT.
[53:23] THE STATEHOUSE.
[53:24] I'M JUST.
[53:25] GOING TO SAY IT.
[53:25] THERE ARE.
[53:26] BARRIERS AT THE STATEHOUSE
[53:27] THAT.
[53:27] ARE PREVENTING THIS FROM
[53:28] HAPPENING AND I'M NOT SURE IF
[53:31] IT'S BECAUSE THEY DON'T BELIEVE
[53:32] THAT.
[53:32] IT WORKS OR.
[53:33] THE THINGS THAT THEY WERE
[53:35] THINKING INITIALLY HAVE NOT
[53:37] COME TRUE OR ARE NOT TRUE.
[53:40] AND NOW IT'S A THING OF DIGGING
[53:41] IN.
[53:41] THAT'S HOW I FEEL THAT YOU
[53:43] KNOW, DIGGING IN WE'RE NOT
[53:44] GOING TO MOVE BECAUSE AND WE
[53:46] HAVE SO MUCH WE HAVE OVER 69%
[53:49] OF THE OF MASSACHUSETTS
[53:51] ELIGIBLE VOTERS THAT ARE IN
[53:54] FAVOR OF ELECTION DAY
[53:57] REGISTRATION.
[53:58] SO SO IN TERMS OF UM, WHO THE
[54:01] FOLKS THAT ARE THE MOST
[54:02] IMPACTED BY THE INABILITY TO,
[54:05] YOU KNOW, REGISTERED SAME DAY
[54:07] VOTER REGISTRATION.
[54:08] I THINK YOU KNOW.
[54:11] SO IT'S AN ACROSS THE BOARD
[54:13] PROBLEM.
[54:14] UM, YOU KNOW.
[54:15] I ALWAYS POINT TO ANYONE IN.
[54:17] THE COMMONWEALTH CAN BECOME
[54:18] A VOTER AFFECTED BY THIS AT THE
[54:20] LEAGUE WE ALWAYS POINT TO ANY
[54:22] MARRIED WOMAN IF YOU GET
[54:23] MARRIED AT THE WRONG TIME AND
[54:24] CHANGE.
[54:24] YOUR NAME AT THE WRONG TIME,
[54:25] YOU ARE.
[54:26] NOW AFFECTED BY THE LACK
[54:27] OF ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION.
[54:29] BUT WHERE WE POINT TWO DIRECTLY
[54:30] AS PART OF THIS CAMPAIGN ARE
[54:32] RENTERS.
[54:33] OUR WORKING CLASS.
[54:35] UM FOLKS AND UH DISABLED FOLKS
[54:38] AS WELL AS ANYONE WHO HAS THAT
[54:41] UM INABILITY OR LACK OF ABILITY
[54:42] TO GET IN FRONT OF UM EITHER
[54:45] THEIR ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATORS
[54:47] ACCESS.
[54:47] TO INTERNET.
[54:48] IS SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY
[54:49] IMPORTANT AS WELL AS IF YOU'RE,
[54:50] YOU KNOW, WORKING TO TRY AND
[54:52] USE PUBLIC ACCESS IF YOU'RE A
[54:53] LIGHT WORKER, YOU KNOW
[54:55] LIBRARY'S CLOSED AND YOU CAN'T
[54:56] GET ONLINE TO ONLY VOTE TO
[54:58] REGISTER ONLINE.
[54:59] SO THERE IS A WIDE VARIETY
[55:01] OF PEOPLE WE POINT DIRECTLY TO
[55:02] RENTERS IN THE WORKING CLASS
[55:04] WHO.
[55:04] THIS WAY.
[55:05] WE'D SEE THE WIDE MARGIN
[55:06] AFFECTING BUT TRULY IT CAN BE
[55:08] ANYONE AT ANY TIME THAT NEEDS
[55:09] ELECTION DAY VOTER.
[55:10] REGISTRATION AND I JUST WANT.
[55:12] TO MAKE SURE WE LIFT UP LOW
[55:14] INCOME CITIZENS BECAUSE THEY
[55:15] TEND TO MOVE MORE FREQUENTLY.
[55:17] YEAH SO.
[55:18] AND AND I'LL JUST ADD TO THAT I
[55:20] THINK I THINK THIS GOES TO SHOW
[55:22] THAT IT REALLY IS IT COULD BE
[55:23] ANYONE UM BUT I THINK LOW
[55:26] INCOME FOLKS WHO ARE OF WORKING
[55:28] CLASS ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY
[55:30] PEOPLE OF COLOR AND THEY MIGHT
[55:33] NOT HAVE ACCESSIBLE
[55:34] TRANSPORTATION TO TO GO THEY
[55:36] MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE OFF
[55:37] OF WORK TWO DAYS VERSUS IF YOU
[55:39] HAVE JUST ONE DAY TO GO TO A
[55:41] POLLING PLACE AND YOU KNOW YOU
[55:42] CAN BOTH REGISTER AND VOTE ON
[55:44] THAT SAME DAY, THAT BECOMES AND
[55:46] IF YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH CHILD
[55:47] CARE RIGHT, IT JUST BECOMES SO
[55:49] MUCH EASIER IF IT'S A ONE STOP
[55:50] SHOP FOR FOR THE WHOLE PROCESS
[55:52] .
[55:53] SO SORRY I NEVER STARTED YOUR
[55:55] TIME OUT IF.
[55:56] FOR MORE MINUTES.
[55:59] 5558 SORRY.
[56:02] SO UM CHERYL, YOU SAID YOU WENT
[56:03] UP TO NEW NEW HAMPSHIRE TO
[56:05] OBSERVE AND OBSERVE WHAT THEY
[56:06] DID.
[56:06] UM, IN TERMS OF OF OF THEIR
[56:08] BEST PRACTICES FROM OUR
[56:11] NEIGHBORING STATES THAT ARE
[56:12] DOING THIS LIKE OTHER OTHERS.
[56:13] BEST PRACTICES THAT WE SHOULD
[56:15] TRY AND EMULATE.
[56:16] I WOULD THINK THE PROCESS WAS.
[56:18] SO SEAMLESS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
[56:20] THAT WE COULD LOOK TO THEM.
[56:22] THEY'RE ONE OF OUR NEIGHBORING
[56:23] STATES TO SHARE WITH US.
[56:25] I MEAN LIKE WE LITERALLY WALKED
[56:27] INTO THE POLLING LOCATION AND
[56:28] WITNESSED PEOPLE THAT WERE NOT
[56:30] ON UM, THE LIST AND THEY WOULD
[56:33] SIMPLY TO ANOTHER LINE SHOWED
[56:35] PROOF OF RESIDENCY AND VOTED ON
[56:38] A REAL BALLOT.
[56:39] RIGHT BECAUSE THAT MATTERS.
[56:41] PROVISIONAL BALLOTS WE ALREADY
[56:43] KNOW IS A MAJOR PROBLEM
[56:45] PARTICULARLY HERE IN
[56:47] MASSACHUSETTS.
[56:47] AND WE KNOW THAT ELECTION DAY
[56:49] REGISTRATION WOULD ELIMINATE
[56:50] SOME OF THAT.
[56:53] AND I REPRESENT ALLSTON
[56:54] BRIGHTON SO 70% OF THE
[56:57] NEIGHBORHOOD CHANGED ADDRESS ON
[56:58] SEPTEMBER 1ST WHICH IS IT'S A
[57:01] BIG PROBLEM.
[57:02] SO UM I KNOW ONE ARGUMENT THAT
[57:04] I'VE HEARD FROM UH, AN ELECTED
[57:08] OFFICIAL WAS THAT WELL, HAVING
[57:10] SAME DAY ELECTION DAY
[57:12] REGISTRATION PREVENTS UM THEM
[57:16] UH, MAILING THEIR RESIDENTS AND
[57:19] HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT
[57:21] POLICY OR WHATEVER.
[57:22] UM, IS THERE AN IS THERE AN
[57:24] ANTIDOTE TO THAT OR IS IT A
[57:25] COUNTER ARGUMENT FOR THAT LIKE
[57:27] UM YOU SHOULD BE TALKING TO
[57:28] EVERYBODY REGARDLESS BUT IN
[57:31] ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO VOTE TO
[57:32] REGISTER AHEAD OF TIME RIGHT.
[57:34] AND JUST DO YOUR JOB.
[57:35] ALL THE.
[57:36] TIME RIGHT?
[57:36] LIKE EVERYBODY'S GOING TO KNOW
[57:37] WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND.
[57:39] I MEAN IT'S NOT IT'S NOT LIKE
[57:41] WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE.
[57:42] VOTING IN ANY ELECTION.
[57:44] IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATA IN
[57:46] MASSACHUSETTS THANK YOU SABINO
[57:47] FOR SENDING THAT OUT TIMELY
[57:49] WHILE WE'RE WATCHING UH.
[57:51] LIVE RESULTS COME IN.
[57:55] WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT.
[57:58] VOTING IN ONE PARTICULAR AREA
[58:00] AND THEN GOING TO ANOTHER AREA
[58:02] RUNNING CAMPAIGNS ON ELECTION
[58:04] DAY.
[58:04] I WISH THEY WOULD.
[58:05] RUN CAMPAIGNS ON ELECTION DAY
[58:07] TO GET PEOPLE OUT TO VOTE.
[58:08] I JUST THINK THAT IT'S A THING.
[58:10] NOW AND IT'S IT'S NOT AN
[58:11] EXISTING.
[58:12] THAT WE'RE.
[58:12] NOT ORGANIZED.
[58:13] WE'RE GOOD ORGANIZERS I MUST
[58:15] SAY, BUT WE'RE NOT ORGANIZING
[58:16] AT THAT LEVEL.
[58:17] SO WHAT NEW RESPONSIBILITIES
[58:19] WOULD FALL ON MUNICIPAL
[58:21] ELECTIONS, UH, OFFICIALS OR
[58:22] POLL WORKERS YOU KNOW, TO DO
[58:24] ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION?
[58:26] IS IT IS IT YOU SAID IT'S NOT
[58:28] IT'S NOT AN ONEROUS TASK.
[58:30] UH COULD.
[58:30] YOU ONE YEAH I CAN TAKE
[58:31] THAT.
[58:33] SO THERE WOULDN'T IT'S
[58:34] IMPORTANT TO UNDERLINE THAT
[58:35] IT'S NOT EXTRANEOUS WORK THAT
[58:36] IS ADDED TO ANY ELECTION
[58:38] ADMINISTRATOR.
[58:39] IT IS A SHIFTING OF WHERE
[58:41] CERTAIN RESOURCES ARE ON
[58:42] ELECTION DAY.
[58:43] UM, I KNOW CHERYL HAS POINTED
[58:45] TO PROVISIONAL BALLOTS AS THE
[58:46] HUGE PROBLEM THAT THEY ARE AND
[58:48] WE'VE SEEN IN THE 24 UM STATES
[58:51] AND D.C. THAT HAVE UM ELECTION
[58:54] DAY REGISTRATION THAT THERE IS
[58:55] A REDUCED NUMBER OF THOSE
[58:57] PROVISIONAL BALLOTS BEING
[58:58] FILLED OUT WHICH ALLOWS FOR
[59:00] THOSE POLL WORKERS OR ELECTION
[59:02] ADMINISTRATORS WHO ARE TAKING
[59:03] ON THE ARDUOUS WEEKS LONG TASK
[59:06] OF VERIFICATION TO FOCUS THAT
[59:08] ON ELECTION DAY IN GETTING REAL
[59:10] BALLOTS INTO THE HANDS
[59:12] OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS.
[59:13] UM.
[59:14] IT'S A VERY SMALL ADDITION
[59:15] TO THAT WORK TO POTENTIALLY PUT
[59:18] RESOURCES UM, WE DO ACKNOWLEDGE
[59:19] IT MAY TAKE MOVING MAYBE SOME
[59:21] UH POLL WORKERS TO MORE UM,
[59:24] HIGH PROFILE OR HIGH YIELD UM
[59:26] POLLING SITES BUT WE REALLY
[59:28] DON'T SEE ANY MAJOR INCREASE IN
[59:30] THE WORK.
[59:31] UM, IT'S JUST MOVING THAT
[59:32] PROVISIONAL BALLOT WORK THAT
[59:34] TAKES AGAIN WEEKS TIME,
[59:36] RESOURCES, MONEY TO VERIFY
[59:38] AFTER ELECTION DAY AND ALLOWING
[59:40] IT TO OCCUR ON ELECTION DAY TO
[59:42] BE COUNTED WITH OUR RESULTS.
[59:44] .
[59:44] I SEE TRACY.
[59:46] YOU'RE GOOD.
[59:46] YOU HAVE A MINUTE?
[59:47] 30 I'M SORRY.
[59:48] I'M A MINUTE.
[59:48] UM.
[59:51] SO I I'M A BIG PROPONENT I IN
[59:53] THE CONSTITUENCY I CAME FROM
[59:55] BACK HOME IN NORTHERN IRELAND
[59:56] THAT WAS CONSIDERED A MAJOR
[59:58] DISASTER OF VOTER TURNOUT
[59:59] DECREASE TO 60% AND THAT WAS
[1:00:02] THAT WAS WHAT'S GONE WRONG.
[1:00:04] UM, THERE'S GOOD REASONS WHY
[1:00:06] THAT WAS HIGH BUT UM I CAN WE I
[1:00:10] FEEL VOTING IS SUCH A SACRED
[1:00:12] RESPONSIBILITY.
[1:00:13] IT'S LIKE SERVING ON A JURY.
[1:00:14] IT'S UM AND IT'S REALLY PART
[1:00:17] OF BEING A CITIZEN AND BE
[1:00:18] REALLY ENGAGED.
[1:00:19] UM, HOW CAN WE TRY AND LIKE I
[1:00:23] THINK 8080 MILLION PEOPLE
[1:00:24] DIDN'T VOTE IN THE LAST
[1:00:26] PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION?
[1:00:27] UM, I CAN WE I CAN WE REALLY
[1:00:30] WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND
[1:00:33] EVERYBODY TO GET THEM TO BE
[1:00:35] MORE AND TO TO ACTUALLY GET OUT
[1:00:37] AND VOTE LIKE ANY ANY AND
[1:00:39] THERE'S ANY SECRET SAUCE I
[1:00:42] THINK IT'S AN.
[1:00:43] ATTACK IT FROM ALL FRONTS UM
[1:00:45] KIND OF STRATEGY.
[1:00:46] YOU KNOW IT TAKES US AS
[1:00:47] ADVOCATES IT TAKES UH YOU.
[1:00:49] KNOW.
[1:00:50] YOU AS THE TRUSTED
[1:00:51] MESSENGERS UM, TO ALLOW PEOPLE
[1:00:53] TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS
[1:00:54] SOMETHING THAT WE ARE ALL
[1:00:55] DEEPLY INVESTED IN, UM, NOT
[1:00:57] ONLY AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND
[1:00:58] AS VOTERS BUT AS PEOPLE WHO
[1:01:00] WANT THIS NEXT GENERATION TO BE
[1:01:02] INVOLVED.
[1:01:03] AND I THINK TO YOUR POINT ON
[1:01:04] THESE YOUNG VOTERS, UM,
[1:01:05] COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I THINK.
[1:01:06] THAT.
[1:01:07] YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO INVITE
[1:01:08] THEM INTO THE ROOM IN ELECTION
[1:01:09] DAY REGISTRATION ALLOWS US TO
[1:01:11] DO THAT ALLOWS US TO INVITE
[1:01:13] THESE YOUNG PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT
[1:01:15] MASSACHUSETTS WANTS THEM TO
[1:01:16] HAVE THIS ACCESS TO VOTE, WHICH
[1:01:18] WE KNOW FOR STUDENT
[1:01:19] POPULATIONS, ESPECIALLY IN
[1:01:20] BOSTON MANY OF THEM DON'T HAVE
[1:01:21] BECAUSE OF THEIR MOVING AND
[1:01:23] BECAUSE OF THAT SEPTEMBER 1ST,
[1:01:24] I KNOW THE PRIMARY DAY THIS
[1:01:26] YEAR WE SAW A LOT OF THAT.
[1:01:28] UM, SO I THINK THAT ALLOWING US
[1:01:30] TO ATTACK FROM ALL ANGLES AND
[1:01:32] USING WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW
[1:01:33] WORKS OF VOTER EDUCATION BUT
[1:01:35] TAKING THESE POLICY ANGLES
[1:01:37] OF ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION
[1:01:39] OF DECOUPLING THE MUNICIPAL
[1:01:40] CENSUS ALLOWS US TO SEND THE
[1:01:42] MESSAGE THAT VOTERS NEED TO
[1:01:43] HEAR, WHICH IS THAT WE WANT TO
[1:01:45] HEAR THEIR VOICE AND THEIR
[1:01:46] VOICE IS THEIR POWER AND
[1:01:47] MASSACHUSETTS RESPECTS THAT.
[1:01:49] THANK YOU.
[1:01:50] THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
[1:01:51] THANK YOU.
[1:01:51] WE'VE ALSO BEEN JOINED BY
[1:01:53] COUNCILOR EARL.
[1:01:53] UH.
[1:01:54] COUNCILOR WEBER.
[1:01:54] YOU HAVE THE FLOOR IN SEVEN
[1:01:56] MINUTES.
[1:01:56] OKAY.
[1:01:56] THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[1:01:58] UH, WITH.
[1:01:58] SORRY.
[1:01:58] UM.
[1:01:59] NO, UH, YOU'RE GOING TO
[1:02:03] START THE CLOCK FOR ME.
[1:02:03] YES YES YES.
[1:02:04] SORRY I FOR.
[1:02:05] SEVEN MINUTES.
[1:02:06] IF YOU NEED.
[1:02:06] MORE I WILL COME BACK.
[1:02:07] SEVEN MINUTES IS VERY GENEROUS,
[1:02:08] SO.
[1:02:09] OKAY.
[1:02:09] NO, UH THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
[1:02:11] UH, JUST FOLLOWING UP ON THAT
[1:02:12] UH, LAST QUESTION I DID I SAW
[1:02:16] UH, I THERE'S A I DON'T KNOW
[1:02:18] WHERE WHO'S READY FOR NOW E.J.
[1:02:19] DIONNE, UH, HAD A BOOK OUT A
[1:02:22] YEAR OR SO AGO ABOUT VOTER
[1:02:24] PARTICIPATION PARTICIPATION.
[1:02:25] AND HE LOOKED AT AUSTRALIA
[1:02:27] WHICH HAS VERY HIGH
[1:02:28] PARTICIPATION.
[1:02:29] THEY ALSO THEY FINE PEOPLE $20
[1:02:31] IF THEY DON'T VOTE AND THAT
[1:02:33] APPARENTLY GETS YOUR VOTER
[1:02:35] TURNOUT VERY HIGH I, I.
[1:02:38] DON'T I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT
[1:02:39] HERE BUT I MEAN UH IS THERE
[1:02:42] SOME SOMETHING WE CAN DO TO
[1:02:45] INCENTIVIZE PEOPLE TO GO OUT TO
[1:02:46] VOTE?
[1:02:47] I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU THINK
[1:02:48] ABOUT AUSTRALIA UH, IN THAT
[1:02:50] MODEL.
[1:02:50] I LOVE THAT.
[1:02:51] YEAH I DO I LIKE.
[1:02:53] IS IT CALLED UNIVERSAL.
[1:02:55] VOTING PRINCIPLE DURING
[1:02:57] SOMETHING LIKE.
[1:02:58] VOTING COMPULSORY?
[1:03:00] YEAH I LIKE IT.
[1:03:01] AND THE REASON WE.
[1:03:02] I THINK WE'RE NOT.
[1:03:03] REALLY PUSHING IT HARD HERE
[1:03:05] FROM MY PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE
[1:03:07] THINGS TEND TO BE
[1:03:09] DISPROPORTIONATELY DISTRIBUTED
[1:03:11] .
[1:03:12] SO $20 IN A COMMUNITY WHERE
[1:03:14] PEOPLE CAN'T.
[1:03:15] AFFORD THAT.
[1:03:17] VERSUS SOMEBODY THAT MAKES
[1:03:19] $200,000 A YEAR AND THEY DECIDE
[1:03:21] NOT TO VOTE $20 IS A DROP IN
[1:03:23] THE BUCKET.
[1:03:24] IF WE COULD FIGURE OUT.
[1:03:25] HOW I THINK I CAN'T REMEMBER.
[1:03:27] WHAT COUNTRY IT IS.
[1:03:28] I'M SORRY BUT THEY TAKE THEIR
[1:03:30] LICENSE.
[1:03:30] HOW ABOUT THAT?
[1:03:31] THAT MAKES IT EVEN YOU DON'T.
[1:03:34] VOTE.
[1:03:34] YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR DRIVER'S
[1:03:35] LICENSE SO THEREFORE YOU CANNOT
[1:03:37] PARTICIPATE IN MOST THINGS
[1:03:38] RIGHT.
[1:03:39] BUT FIGURING OUT SOME WAY I
[1:03:41] THINK IT'S EVERYBODY'S.
[1:03:44] UH THAT SHOULD BE THE THING
[1:03:46] THAT YOU DO IS TO VOTE AND TO
[1:03:47] SPEAK AND TO PARTICIPATE IN
[1:03:50] DEMOCRACY IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
[1:03:52] HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD.
[1:03:54] NOT TOO.
[1:03:55] MANY TOO FEW PEOPLE ARE MAKING
[1:03:58] DECISIONS FOR ALL OF US BECAUSE
[1:03:59] WE DON'T GO OUT TO VOTE.
[1:04:00] AND THE QUESTION OF WHAT ELSE
[1:04:02] CAN WE DO?
[1:04:03] I MEAN OUTSIDE OF SETTING.
[1:04:05] OURSELVES ON FIRE, WE'RE
[1:04:06] LOOKING FOR.
[1:04:07] PEOPLE TO REALLY GIVE US UM,
[1:04:10] SUGGESTIONS.
[1:04:11] WE'RE TAKING IT TO THE STREETS.
[1:04:13] WE THINK ONE ON ONE
[1:04:14] CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE
[1:04:15] REALLY WORK.
[1:04:16] BEST HELPING PEOPLE.
[1:04:18] TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS AT STAKE
[1:04:20] FOR THEM.
[1:04:21] I THINK THEY MISS IT BECAUSE
[1:04:22] THEY CAN'T SEE THE RESULTS
[1:04:24] OF IT OF AN ELECTION.
[1:04:25] WHEN WE'RE FIGHTING FOR
[1:04:26] SOMETHING AND IT DOESN'T.
[1:04:28] PASS, THEY DON'T.
[1:04:29] SEE IT AS BEING MEANINGFUL
[1:04:32] BECAUSE IT DIDN'T AFFECT THEM.
[1:04:33] DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
[1:04:34] SO WE GOT TO FIGURE OUT WAYS
[1:04:35] TO.
[1:04:36] HAVE THEM CONNECT THE.
[1:04:37] DOTS TO UNDERSTAND HOW VOTING
[1:04:41] IS IMPACTS THEIR DAILY LIVING.
[1:04:44] YEAH I'M TRYING YEAH WELL
[1:04:46] CERTAINLY BEFORE WE DID
[1:04:47] ANYTHING LIKE THAT WE NEED TO
[1:04:48] MAKE SURE WE CAN GET PEOPLE
[1:04:50] REGISTERED, REMOVE THE
[1:04:51] OBSTACLES TO VOTING SO THE BUT
[1:04:53] UH DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING.
[1:04:54] I WAS JUST GOING TO ADD UM, TWO
[1:04:56] THINGS.
[1:04:57] ONE KIND OF ADDING ON TO THAT I
[1:04:59] THINK ESPECIALLY WITH WITH
[1:05:03] YOUTH UM, REALLY BRINGING THE
[1:05:05] IMPACT OF THEIR VOICE AND THEIR
[1:05:07] VOTE CLOSER TO HOME.
[1:05:09] I THINK THAT UM, YOU KNOW, IT'S
[1:05:11] EXCITING TO CAST YOUR BALLOT
[1:05:12] FOR PRESIDENT AND THESE THESE
[1:05:14] BIG UM, YOU KNOW, I GUESS WHAT
[1:05:17] WE THINK OF AS THESE BIGGER,
[1:05:19] MORE MORE STAKES ELECTIONS BUT
[1:05:20] I THINK AS LAWYERS FOR CIVIL
[1:05:22] RIGHTS, WE AND THESE
[1:05:23] ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL WE FOCUS
[1:05:24] A LOT ON WHAT'S LOCAL, WHAT'S
[1:05:26] CLOSER TO HOME.
[1:05:28] UM, THINGS LIKE YOUR SCHOOL
[1:05:29] BOARD ELECTION YOU KNOW, THESE
[1:05:31] PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE THAT YOU
[1:05:33] HAVE THE CHANCE TO ELECT ARE
[1:05:34] REALLY GOING TO REPRESENT YOUR
[1:05:36] NEEDS ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS.
[1:05:38] AND SO I THINK TRYING TO
[1:05:41] TRANSLATE THAT TO YOUTH TO TO
[1:05:43] GET EXCITED ABOUT THESE MORE
[1:05:46] CLOSE TO HOME ISSUES I THINK IS
[1:05:48] IMPORTANT.
[1:05:49] UM, AND THEN IF WE WANT TO
[1:05:50] THROW ANOTHER SORT OF PIE IN
[1:05:52] THE SKY IDEA I DON'T THINK IT
[1:05:54] SHOULD BE PIE IN THE SKY BUT.
[1:05:55] ELECTION DAY SHOULD BE A
[1:05:57] HOLIDAY BREAK THAT WOULD
[1:05:58] ELIMINATE SO MANY BARRIERS FOR
[1:06:00] SO MANY PEOPLE.
[1:06:02] UM AND WOULD WOULD CERTAINLY
[1:06:04] SOLVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS.
[1:06:06] OKAY.
[1:06:07] UH AND THEN SO FOR UM, UH,
[1:06:09] SAME DAY REGISTRATION OR VOTING
[1:06:11] DAY REGISTRATION LIKE I THINK
[1:06:13] YOU I UH WHAT DO WE HAVE TO
[1:06:17] HAVE IN PLACE FOR THAT TO BE
[1:06:18] EFFECTIVE?
[1:06:18] YOU KNOW, UH IS IT CAN WE DO IT
[1:06:21] WITH THE SAME STAFF TO WE NEED
[1:06:24] MACHINES AND, YOU KNOW, UH,
[1:06:26] LIKE WHAT WOULD WE NEED TO MOVE
[1:06:28] TO GET THAT.
[1:06:30] EFFECTIVE EQUIPMENT?
[1:06:32] MHM.
[1:06:32] RIGHT.
[1:06:34] UH ELECTRONIC IPADS.
[1:06:35] I THINK WE TRIED IT ON EARLY
[1:06:37] VOTING HAVING THOSE KIND
[1:06:39] OF SYSTEMS IN PLACE TO MAKE
[1:06:40] PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THE ELECTION
[1:06:42] IS SECURE.
[1:06:42] RIGHT FOR SURE.
[1:06:44] YEAH.
[1:06:44] AS LONG AS.
[1:06:45] A POLLING LOCATION CAN GET
[1:06:47] UM ACCESS INTO VIRUS THIS IS A
[1:06:49] REALLY SIMPLE THING TO GET
[1:06:51] FORWARD.
[1:06:51] SO FOR SOME UM, YOU KNOW,
[1:06:53] POLLING LOCATIONS GETTING THAT
[1:06:55] ACCESS WHETHER IT BE UM
[1:06:57] TECHNOLOGY WOULD BE UH A BIG
[1:06:59] ONE BUT REALLY IT IS A VERY
[1:07:01] SIMPLE IMPLEMENTATION HERE IN
[1:07:03] MASSACHUSETTS BECAUSE OF THE
[1:07:04] WAY THAT WE ALREADY HAVE
[1:07:06] STRUCTURED UM, OUR YOU KNOW,
[1:07:08] VOLUNTEERS, OUR POLL WORKERS,
[1:07:10] OUR ADMINISTRATORS IT'S JUST
[1:07:11] MOVING THOSE RESOURCES AROUND,
[1:07:13] UM, AWAY FROM THE.
[1:07:14] PROVISIONAL BALLOTS.
[1:07:15] ALTHOUGH I SEE TRACY HAS HER
[1:07:17] COFFEE.
[1:07:18] TRACY, COME ON.
[1:07:19] IN MY BAG.
[1:07:20] COME ON.
[1:07:21] TRACY.
[1:07:21] OH, WORRIES.
[1:07:21] NO WORRIES.
[1:07:22] YEAH, JUST JUST A FOLLOW UP A
[1:07:24] LITTLE BIT.
[1:07:24] UM, I I TOTALLY AGREE WITH
[1:07:26] BROOKE THAT WE ARE WE'RE IN A
[1:07:28] SITUATION WHERE WE NEED TO
[1:07:30] BRING IN AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE
[1:07:32] POSSIBLY CAN AND MAKE IT AS
[1:07:33] EASY FOR THEM TO BE
[1:07:35] PARTICIPATORY IN OUR DEMOCRACY.
[1:07:36] UH, AS A FORMER EDUCATOR, I
[1:07:38] BELIEVE THAT IT'S IT NEEDS TO
[1:07:39] START EARLY.
[1:07:41] UM, AND YOU KNOW, AND I'M
[1:07:43] TALKING LIKE SCHOOL AGE, RIGHT?
[1:07:45] LIKE IT NEEDS TO START EARLY AS
[1:07:47] TO WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO TO
[1:07:49] PARTICIPATE IN OUR DEMOCRACY.
[1:07:51] AND THEN THE OTHER PIECE OF IT
[1:07:52] IS IN TERMS OF THE EDUCATION
[1:07:54] PIECE.
[1:07:54] UM, SO AT THE ACLU WE RUN A
[1:07:57] PROGRAM CALLED BIPOC TO THE
[1:07:58] BALLOT BOX WHERE IT REALLY IS
[1:08:00] ABOUT MUNICIPAL AND ELECTIONS.
[1:08:03] RIGHT?
[1:08:04] LIKE THE DAY TO DAY THINGS THAT
[1:08:05] AFFECT YOUR YOUR DAILY LIVES.
[1:08:07] UM, AND YOU KNOW, BROOKE
[1:08:09] BROUGHT UP THE GREAT POINT OF,
[1:08:10] YOU KNOW, THE SCHOOL BOARD LIKE
[1:08:11] IT'S THE SCHOOL BOARD WHO
[1:08:12] DECIDES IF THEY YOU KNOW, IF
[1:08:14] THEY'RE GOING TO BAN BOOKS OR
[1:08:16] YOU KNOW, AND SO, YOU KNOW,
[1:08:18] THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM FOCUSES
[1:08:20] A LOT ON MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
[1:08:22] AND THE WAYS IN WHICH THOSE DAY
[1:08:25] TO DAY UM, THOSE FOLKS WHO ARE,
[1:08:27] YOU KNOW, MAKING THOSE DAY TO
[1:08:28] DAY DECISIONS FOR YOU IMPACT
[1:08:30] YOUR DAILY LIVES.
[1:08:31] ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO
[1:08:32] FIND THOUGH, IN TERMS OF WHY
[1:08:34] PEOPLE AREN'T PARTICIPATING
[1:08:35] WHEN PEOPLE ARE ARE TRYING TO
[1:08:38] SURVIVE, YOU KNOW, ELECTION IS
[1:08:40] PRETTY LOW.
[1:08:42] YOU KNOW, VOTING IS PRETTY LOW
[1:08:43] ON THE LIST OF OF THINGS.
[1:08:45] RIGHT.
[1:08:46] UM, WE'VE GOT TO MAKE IT
[1:08:47] APPARENT TO THEM WHY VOTING IS
[1:08:50] IMPORTANT AND HOW IT IMPACTS
[1:08:52] THEIR DAILY LIVES, HOW IT
[1:08:54] IMPACTS THEIR GROCERY STORE
[1:08:55] PRICES, HOW IT IMPACTS THEIR
[1:08:56] YOU KNOW, THE THE EDUCATION
[1:08:58] THAT THEIR CHILDREN RECEIVE,
[1:08:59] HOW IT IMPACTS THEIR ROADS THAT
[1:09:01] THEY DRIVE ON EVERY SINGLE DAY.
[1:09:02] AND I THINK A LOT OF THAT IS IS
[1:09:04] THE EDUCATIONAL PIECE OF IT.
[1:09:06] BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT STARTING
[1:09:07] ON THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL IS WHERE
[1:09:10] WE REALLY, REALLY NEED TO
[1:09:12] EDUCATE FOLKS ON HOW YOU KNOW,
[1:09:14] HOW PARTICIPATING IN ELECTIONS
[1:09:15] REALLY AFFECTS THEM.
[1:09:17] UH, ONE QUICK, QUICK JUST IN
[1:09:21] TERMS OF VOTER PARTICIPATION
[1:09:23] SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT,
[1:09:25] ANYBODY HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON WE
[1:09:27] HAVE A QUESTION I THINK IT'S
[1:09:28] SEVEN ABOUT UH ELIMINATING UH
[1:09:30] PARTY PRIMARIES HERE IN THE
[1:09:32] STATE QUESTION.
[1:09:33] THAT'S THREE.
[1:09:33] THOSE ARE THREE.
[1:09:34] SORRY I APOLOGIZE UH ANY
[1:09:36] THOUGHTS ON HOW THAT WOULD
[1:09:38] WOULD IT WOULD IMPACT
[1:09:40] PARTICIPATION INCREASE DECREASE
[1:09:43] YOUR THOUGHTS.
[1:09:45] NO I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THE NO
[1:09:46] IS I DON'T WANT TO ANSWER OR NO
[1:09:48] NOT.
[1:09:48] THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS.
[1:09:50] MASSACHUSETTS HASN'T TAKEN A
[1:09:52] POSITION.
[1:09:52] ON.
[1:09:52] QUESTION THREE BUT I'D BE HAPPY
[1:09:54] TO PROVIDE WE DID A FORUM WITH
[1:09:56] BOTH THE YES AND THE NO SIDES
[1:09:58] UM VIRTUALLY AND HAVE THAT
[1:09:59] RECORDING AVAILABLE FOR FOLKS
[1:10:00] THAT WANT TO HEAR MORE ON THE
[1:10:02] ARGUMENTS.
[1:10:02] UM.
[1:10:03] FOR THE MERITS OF THE
[1:10:04] QUESTION.
[1:10:04] OKAY.
[1:10:05] THANK YOU THANK YOU CHAIR.
[1:10:06] THANK YOU.
[1:10:07] I WILL SAY THAT A.
[1:10:08] LOT OF.
[1:10:08] LABOR IS.
[1:10:09] UM AGAINST.
[1:10:10] QUESTION THREE AND I KNOW THAT
[1:10:11] QUESTION AND I THINK.
[1:10:12] QUESTION THREE WHEN YOU LOOK AT
[1:10:14] THERE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS
[1:10:15] THERE'S.
[1:10:16] A LOT OF ISSUES.
[1:10:17] BUT IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
[1:10:18] EXPANDING DEMOCRACY.
[1:10:19] AND REALLY GIVING VOTERS A
[1:10:20] CHOICE, I THINK QUESTION THREE
[1:10:22] IS THE WRONG QUESTION.
[1:10:23] THE RIGHT QUESTION.
[1:10:23] IS RANKED.
[1:10:24] CHOICE VOTING WHICH WE.
[1:10:25] DID TAKE HERE UP HERE ON THE
[1:10:26] COUNCIL.
[1:10:26] SO JUST.
[1:10:27] PUTTING MY $0.02 OUT THERE.
[1:10:28] AND I LOVE THAT YOU RAISE
[1:10:29] ELECTION DAY UH ELECTION DAY
[1:10:32] SHOULD.
[1:10:32] BE A FEDERAL HOLIDAY.
[1:10:33] SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU.
[1:10:34] IF YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS
[1:10:35] COUNCILOR WE WILL DO A SECOND
[1:10:36] ROUND BECAUSE I HAVE MORE
[1:10:37] QUESTIONS.
[1:10:37] AS WELL.
[1:10:38] THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES
[1:10:38] COUNCILMEMBER HERE BECAUSE HERE
[1:10:39] YOU HAVE THE FLOOR AND SEVEN
[1:10:40] MINUTES.
[1:10:41] THANK YOU CHAIR AND.
[1:10:41] THANK YOU.
[1:10:42] FOR HOSTING THIS HEARING.
[1:10:44] AND UH FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT
[1:10:46] KNOW I ONE BY ONE VOTE SO YOU.
[1:10:48] KNOW.
[1:10:48] I'M GOING TO.
[1:10:49] SHOW.
[1:10:49] UP.
[1:10:50] FOR THIS HEARING BECAUSE.
[1:10:51] EVERY VOTE.
[1:10:52] LITERALLY MATTERS AND UM, THE
[1:10:54] MORE THAT WE CAN UH, REDUCE
[1:10:56] BARRIERS FOR ENGAGEMENT I AM
[1:10:59] ALWAYS GOING TO SHOW UP FOR
[1:11:00] THEM.
[1:11:00] I ALSO JUST I KNOW WE'RE GOING
[1:11:01] TO TALK.
[1:11:01] TO SABINO AND KERRY LATER.
[1:11:03] SO THESE ARE MY PEOPLE AND I'M
[1:11:04] REALLY EXCITED THAT WE'RE GOING
[1:11:06] TO BE ABLE TO BRAINSTORM
[1:11:07] TOGETHER ABOUT WHAT WE.
[1:11:08] NEED TO DO.
[1:11:09] UM, TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE
[1:11:11] APATHY, UH.
[1:11:12] THAT THAT.
[1:11:13] EXISTS HERE IN THE CITY
[1:11:14] OF BOSTON.
[1:11:15] BUT UM, JUST REALLY QUICK I
[1:11:17] HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS.
[1:11:19] UM.
[1:11:19] SO ALL OF YOUR ORGANIZATIONS
[1:11:21] ARE PART.
[1:11:21] OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ELECTION
[1:11:24] UM PROTECTION COALITION, RIGHT
[1:11:25] .
[1:11:26] UM AND ARE LEADING POLL
[1:11:28] MONITORING EFFORTS FOR OUR
[1:11:30] ELECTIONS.
[1:11:31] UM, THAT JUST HAPPENED IN
[1:11:32] SEPTEMBER AND THE UPCOMING ONE
[1:11:33] IN NOVEMBER TO ASSIST VOTERS
[1:11:35] WITH ISSUES WITH BARRIERS TO
[1:11:36] ACCESS RECORD ISSUES,
[1:11:39] IRREGULARITIES SUCH AS RUNNING
[1:11:40] OUT OF BALLOTS OR MACHINES
[1:11:42] MALFUNCTIONING UM AND PROVIDING
[1:11:43] RAPID RESPONSE BY BEING IN
[1:11:45] TOUCH WITH LOCAL ELECTIONS.
[1:11:47] UM AND THE MASSACHUSETTS
[1:11:48] SECRETARY OF STATE I JUST WANT
[1:11:50] EVERYBODY I SAID ALL THAT YOU
[1:11:52] ALREADY KNOW ALL OF THAT.
[1:11:53] BUT UM, FOR.
[1:11:53] THOSE.
[1:11:54] FOLKS WHO DON'T KNOW NOW THEY
[1:11:55] KNOW UM AND THIS YEAR.
[1:11:57] UH, THERE IS AN ADDED.
[1:11:59] CONCERN ON THE FEDERAL UH,
[1:12:01] ELECTION MONITORS.
[1:12:03] UH, AND.
[1:12:04] SO FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF.
[1:12:05] JUSTICE, UM, WERE THERE ANY.
[1:12:08] ISSUES WITH FEDERAL ELECTION
[1:12:10] MONITORS DURING THE PRIMARY
[1:12:10] ELECTION?
[1:12:12] UM AND ARE THERE ANY CONCERNS
[1:12:13] ABOUT.
[1:12:14] THE GENERAL ELECTION?
[1:12:14] AND AND IF YOU COULD PLEASE.
[1:12:16] DISCUSS HOW THE FEDERAL
[1:12:18] ADMINISTRATION.
[1:12:18] IS IMPACTING, UH, VOTING.
[1:12:20] ACCESS UH OR DISENFRANCHIZING
[1:12:23] UM, PEOPLE.
[1:12:25] SO WE DID SEE DOJ MONITORS IN
[1:12:29] POLLING PLACES THROUGHOUT
[1:12:30] BOSTON, UM, AND THROUGHOUT THE
[1:12:33] COMMONWEALTH.
[1:12:33] OUR UH OUR VOLUNTEER POLL
[1:12:36] OBSERVERS WERE IN FOUR
[1:12:37] DIFFERENT CITIES I BELIEVE UM
[1:12:39] DURING ON THE PRIMARY DAY AND
[1:12:41] WE WE.
[1:12:41] SAW THESE DOJ MONITORS AND ALL
[1:12:44] OF THOSE CITIES.
[1:12:46] UM LUCKILY THERE WERE NOT ANY
[1:12:47] ANY ISSUES OF CONCERN THAT
[1:12:50] AROSE, UM, WHICH WAS A GOOD
[1:12:51] THING LOOKING TO THE GENERAL
[1:12:54] ELECTION, WE WE DON'T YET KNOW
[1:12:56] IF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
[1:12:57] WILL BE SENDING THEIR SO-CALLED
[1:13:00] POLL MONITORS TO POLLING
[1:13:02] PLACES.
[1:13:03] UM, THEY LET US KNOW.
[1:13:08] UM, BY US I MEAN THE PUBLIC
[1:13:10] THEY THEY ISSUED A PUBLIC
[1:13:11] STATEMENT UM, A FEW DAYS PRIOR
[1:13:13] TO THE PRIMARY AND IT WAS NOT
[1:13:15] UNTIL THE DAY BEFORE THAT THEY
[1:13:17] ADDED THAT THESE MONITORS WILL
[1:13:18] BE WOULD BE GOING TO THE UM THE
[1:13:20] CITY OF LOWELL AS WELL.
[1:13:21] SO WE WON'T NECESSARILY GET AN
[1:13:24] ADVANCE NOTICE ABOUT UM, THE
[1:13:26] DOJ'S PLANS I THINK MORE
[1:13:29] BROADLY SOMETHING THAT WE AT
[1:13:30] CIVIL AT LAWYERS FOR CIVIL
[1:13:32] RIGHTS UM, ARE VERY CONCERNED
[1:13:33] ABOUT IS THE POTENTIAL PRESENCE
[1:13:37] OF ARMED FEDERAL AGENTS WHETHER
[1:13:38] THAT'S DOJ OR FBI OR ICE NEAR
[1:13:41] POLLING PLACES AND UM, THE
[1:13:45] FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS
[1:13:48] INDICATED THROUGH PUBLIC
[1:13:49] STATEMENTS THAT THIS IS NOT
[1:13:50] SOMETHING THAT'S OFF THE TABLE.
[1:13:52] THERE'S ALSO BEEN UM RECORDS
[1:13:55] OF OF MEETINGS THAT THEY'VE HAD
[1:13:56] ABOUT HAVING AGENTS SORT
[1:14:00] OF TAKING CONTROL OF CERTAIN
[1:14:02] POLLING PLACES UM, THROUGH FOIA
[1:14:05] REQUESTS THROUGH IT'S BEEN UH,
[1:14:09] LEARNED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN
[1:14:11] SOME SOME POTENTIAL PLANS THAT
[1:14:13] THAT THAT ARE BEING FLOATED AND
[1:14:15] SO ALL OF THAT IS IS NOT TO
[1:14:17] STRIKE FEAR INTO ELIGIBLE
[1:14:18] VOTERS HERE.
[1:14:19] I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT
[1:14:20] THAT WE CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE
[1:14:23] FOLKS TO GO OUT AND VOTE
[1:14:24] BECAUSE THEY HAVE THAT RIGHT NO
[1:14:26] MATTER WHAT.
[1:14:27] AND THE ACTIONS OF THE FEDERAL
[1:14:29] GOVERNMENT IS WHAT IS UNLAWFUL
[1:14:31] AND IS WHAT WILL BE STOPPED
[1:14:34] IMMEDIATELY WHEN ORGANIZATIONS
[1:14:36] LIKE LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
[1:14:37] GET GET WIND OF WHAT'S GOING ON
[1:14:39] ,WE ARE READY TO JUMP INTO
[1:14:40] ACTION BECAUSE THE PRESENCE
[1:14:43] OF ARMED OFFICERS IS ILLEGAL
[1:14:47] UNDER SO MANY DIFFERENT.
[1:14:49] UM PROVISIONS OF FEDERAL LAW
[1:14:51] STATE LAW UM SO DEFINITELY A
[1:14:55] CONCERN BUT WE REALLY WANT TO
[1:14:56] MAKE SURE THAT WE ENCOURAGE
[1:14:57] FOLKS TO STILL GET OUT AND
[1:14:59] EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT.
[1:15:00] OKAY GREAT.
[1:15:00] THANK YOU.
[1:15:02] UM, SO THEN UM, ONE OF THE
[1:15:05] CONCERNS THAT UH, PEOPLE
[1:15:07] SOMETIMES RAISE ABOUT THE SAME
[1:15:08] DAY VOTER REGISTRATION.
[1:15:10] IS ELECTION SECURITY.
[1:15:11] UM, CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN HOW
[1:15:13] A QUESTION FOR USE AS PROOF
[1:15:14] OF RESIDENCY, AN OATH TO SIGN
[1:15:16] AND.
[1:15:16] PROVISIONAL BALLOTS ADDRESSES
[1:15:18] THIS CONCERN OF ELECTION
[1:15:20] SECURITY?
[1:15:22] HAVE THANK YOU FOR THAT
[1:15:24] QUESTION.
[1:15:25] UM, ONE THING I ALWAYS
[1:15:26] UNDERLINE IS THAT IT FOLLOWS
[1:15:28] THE SAME STANDARDS WE REQUIRE
[1:15:30] UH, THE VOTER REGISTRATION AT
[1:15:32] ANY OTHER TIME IN ANY OTHER
[1:15:34] VEHICLE IN MASSACHUSETTS.
[1:15:35] SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE
[1:15:36] ALREADY KNOW AND TRUST AND.
[1:15:39] TO I KNOW WE KNOW THIS HERE BUT
[1:15:40] TO PUT IT OUT THERE AGAIN VOTER
[1:15:42] FRAUD IS EXCEPTIONALLY RARE IN
[1:15:44] THIS COUNTRY AND IN THOSE 24
[1:15:46] STATES THAT HAVE ELECTION DAY
[1:15:48] REGISTRATION, THEY HAVE NOT
[1:15:50] REPORTED ANY ADDITIONAL VOTER
[1:15:51] FRAUD CONCERNS OR ANYTHING LIKE
[1:15:53] THAT RELATED TO ELECTION DAY
[1:15:55] REGISTRATION.
[1:15:56] UM WE KNOW AUDIT AFTER AUDIT
[1:15:58] AUDIT AND STUDY AFTER STUDY
[1:15:59] HAVE SHOWN THAT THIS ISN'T AN
[1:16:01] ISSUE.
[1:16:01] UM, TO LOOK MORE SPECIFICALLY
[1:16:03] AT PROOF OF RESIDENCY UM, IT
[1:16:05] DOES REQUIRE YOU TO SHOW PROOF
[1:16:07] OF RESIDENCY.
[1:16:07] THAT CAN BE.
[1:16:08] MANY THINGS YOU COULD CHOOSE TO
[1:16:10] SHOW UM, YOU KNOW IN ID WE ALSO
[1:16:13] IN MASSACHUSETTS DO REQUIRE YOU
[1:16:15] TO SHOW AN I.D. THE FIRST TIME
[1:16:16] YOU REGISTER.
[1:16:17] UM, WHETHER THAT'S WHEN YOU
[1:16:18] REGISTER OR AT THE POLLS.
[1:16:20] UM, SO THAT DOES FOLLOW THAT
[1:16:21] SAME GUIDANCE.
[1:16:23] IT ALSO REQUIRES, YOU KNOW, THE
[1:16:24] PROOF OF RESIDENCY COULD BE
[1:16:25] YOUR UTILITY BILL.
[1:16:26] IT COULD BE FOR OUR STUDENTS
[1:16:28] HERE IN BOSTON.
[1:16:29] IT COULD BE YOUR TRANSCRIPT OR
[1:16:31] ,UM, YOUR HOUSING ASSIGNMENT
[1:16:32] FOR YOUR CAMPUS.
[1:16:33] SO IT REQUIRES THAT SAME
[1:16:35] THRESHOLD THAT WE ALREADY KNOW
[1:16:36] AND TRUST HERE IN
[1:16:37] MASSACHUSETTS.
[1:16:38] IT'S JUST HAPPENING, UM, ON
[1:16:40] ELECTION DAY AT YOUR POLLING
[1:16:41] LOCATION.
[1:16:42] OKAY.
[1:16:43] KIMBERLY, MY TIME IS ALMOST
[1:16:44] UP.
[1:16:44] UM, SO THIS COUNCIL SO.
[1:16:46] THANK.
[1:16:47] YOU FOR THAT.
[1:16:47] THIS COUNCIL ALSO RECENTLY
[1:16:48] PASSED A RESOLUTION IN, UM IN.
[1:16:50] SUPPORT OF PROTECTING MAIL-IN
[1:16:51] VOTING.
[1:16:52] UM, BESIDES MAIL-IN VOTING AND
[1:16:54] SAME DAY VOTER REGISTRATION,
[1:16:56] HOW CAN WE MAKE VOTING.
[1:16:58] MORE ACCESSIBLE.
[1:16:59] AND WHAT CAN THE COUNCIL DO TO
[1:17:01] SUPPORT VOTING ACCESS AND
[1:17:02] EDUCATION?
[1:17:03] I MEAN THERE'S THINGS THAT WE
[1:17:05] COULD DO RIGHT NOW AND I'D LOVE
[1:17:07] TO.
[1:17:07] HEAR WHAT YOU THINK THOSE
[1:17:08] THINGS ARE.
[1:17:09] THAT YOU'VE SEEN.
[1:17:09] IN OTHER MUNICIPALITIES.
[1:17:11] I'M ALL IN FOR UM, MAKING
[1:17:15] VOTING UH, A HOLIDAY I.
[1:17:17] THINK ABOUT.
[1:17:18] NO BRAINER THERE, BUT WHAT.
[1:17:20] ELSE CAN WE BE DOING THAT YOU'D
[1:17:22] LIKE TO SEE US DO?
[1:17:24] I'D LIKE TO SEE BETTER SIGNAGE
[1:17:26] .
[1:17:26] THOSE WHITE.
[1:17:27] SANDWICH BOARDS HAVE BEEN
[1:17:28] AROUND FOREVER AND THEY BLEND
[1:17:29] IN WITH THE LANDSCAPE, RIGHT?
[1:17:31] LIKE FLUORESCENT.
[1:17:32] ORANGE FLUORESCE.
[1:17:33] I MEAN, JUST.
[1:17:34] THINGS TO VISIBILITY IS
[1:17:36] IMPORTANT.
[1:17:36] SO I JUST THINK THAT THAT COULD
[1:17:38] HELP JUST CHANGE IT UP.
[1:17:40] A LITTLE BIT.
[1:17:40] YEAH.
[1:17:40] AND OUR BOSTON PUBLIC
[1:17:41] SCHOOLS PLAY A ROLE IN ALSO IN
[1:17:43] EDUCATION AND CIVICS RIGHT.
[1:17:44] SO WE COULD BE DOING A BETTER
[1:17:46] JOB AT TRAINING THE NEXT
[1:17:47] GENERATION OF VOTERS AS WELL.
[1:17:48] SO SOME.
[1:17:49] SIGNAGE, SOME PUBLIC
[1:17:50] EDUCATION ENGAGEMENT AND
[1:17:52] OUTREACH.
[1:17:53] WHAT ELSE?
[1:17:53] YEAH.
[1:17:54] UM TO YOUR POINT.
[1:17:56] I KNOW THAT COUNCILMEMBER HERE
[1:17:57] AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING UP
[1:17:58] THE SCHOOLS WHO ARE INCREDIBLE
[1:17:59] PARTNERS IN THIS WORK.
[1:18:00] UM, WE KNOW THROUGH THE WORK
[1:18:02] THAT THE LEAGUE DOES THAT MANY
[1:18:04] OF OUR LOCAL LEAGUES TRY TO DO
[1:18:05] NOT ONLY REGISTRATION AT
[1:18:07] SCHOOLS BUT ALSO THE
[1:18:08] PRE-REGISTRATION FOR 16 AND 17
[1:18:10] YEAR OLDS.
[1:18:11] UM AND I DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER
[1:18:13] WITH THIS, BUT A HUGE BARRIER
[1:18:14] THAT WE SEE WHEN WE'RE DOING
[1:18:15] THIS WORK IS STUDENTS DON'T
[1:18:16] KNOW THEIR INFORMATION
[1:18:18] TYPICALLY.
[1:18:18] YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY IN URBAN
[1:18:20] AREAS, STUDENTS DON'T HAVE A
[1:18:22] DRIVER'S LICENSE WITH THEM TO
[1:18:23] REGISTER TO VOTE.
[1:18:24] THEY'RE REQUIRED TO, YOU.
[1:18:25] KNOW.
[1:18:25] HAVE THE LAST FOR THEIR
[1:18:26] SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.
[1:18:27] TRYING TO GET THAT OUT OF A 16
[1:18:29] YEAR OLD IS QUITE DIFFICULT AND
[1:18:31] RIGHTFULLY SO.
[1:18:31] SCHOOLS DON'T SHARE THAT
[1:18:32] INFORMATION WITH VOLUNTEERS SO
[1:18:34] I WOULD WELCOME ANY PARTNERSHIP
[1:18:36] OR IDEAS EITHER WITH BOSTON
[1:18:37] PUBLIC SCHOOLS OR UM, HERE IN
[1:18:40] THESE HALLOWED HALLS TO SEE HOW
[1:18:41] WE COULD WORK TOGETHER TO HELP
[1:18:42] GET STUDENTS THAT INFORMATION
[1:18:44] BECAUSE WE DO RUN INTO A LOT
[1:18:46] OF REALLY INCREDIBLE STUDENTS
[1:18:47] WHO WANT TO DO THIS WORK THAT
[1:18:49] JUST HAVE THAT INFORMATION BUMP
[1:18:51] AND THEY DON'T COME BACK TO IT
[1:18:53] AFTER THAT.
[1:18:54] OH MY.
[1:18:55] FOR MY SECOND ROUND I WANT
[1:18:58] TO BE RESPECTFUL.
[1:18:58] UM I.
[1:18:59] JUST WANT TO SAY COUNSELOR, I
[1:19:01] LITERALLY USE THAT EXAMPLE
[1:19:03] WEEKLY THAT YOU ONE.
[1:19:05] BY ONE YOU.
[1:19:06] KNOW THE POSTER CHILD.
[1:19:08] THANK YOU.
[1:19:09] I'LL BE BACK FOR A SECOND
[1:19:10] ROUND.
[1:19:11] THANK YOU.
[1:19:11] AND JUST.
[1:19:12] JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE TRACY,
[1:19:13] IF.
[1:19:14] YOU HAD.
[1:19:14] ANYTHING THAT YOU.
[1:19:15] WANTED TO CHIME IN.
[1:19:15] YOU GOT TO YOU KNOW JUST.
[1:19:16] JUST TALK JUST TALK OVER ME.
[1:19:18] TALK OVER EVERYBODY.
[1:19:19] JUST WANT.
[1:19:19] TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU.
[1:19:20] FEEL LIKE YOU'RE.
[1:19:20] PART OF THE CONVERSATION.
[1:19:22] OH THANK YOU.
[1:19:23] YEAH I I WOULD AGREE WITH CELIA
[1:19:26] YOU KNOW THE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
[1:19:28] BE IN BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO
[1:19:29] START THIS EDUCATION EARLY,
[1:19:31] RIGHT TO MAKE SURE THAT
[1:19:32] STUDENTS UM, UNDERSTAND THEIR
[1:19:36] RESPONSIBILITY.
[1:19:36] UM, AND THE BENEFIT
[1:19:39] OF PARTICIPATING IN OUR
[1:19:40] DEMOCRACY.
[1:19:41] UM, SO ANY KIND OF EDUCATIONAL
[1:19:43] PROGRAM THAT WE COULD, YOU
[1:19:45] KNOW, THAT WE COULD BUILD
[1:19:46] WITHIN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WOULD
[1:19:47] BE AMAZING.
[1:19:48] UM, THE OTHER THING I THINK
[1:19:50] THAT, YOU KNOW, IN TERMS
[1:19:53] OF MAKING IT MORE ACCESSIBLE, I
[1:19:55] LOVE THE IDEA OF HAVING, YOU
[1:19:57] KNOW, HAVING ELECTION DAY BE UH
[1:19:59] ,BE A HOLIDAY.
[1:20:01] BUT YOU KNOW, EVEN ASIDE FROM
[1:20:02] THAT, IS THERE A WAY THAT WE
[1:20:04] CAN MAKE IT SO THAT, UM, YOU
[1:20:06] KNOW THAT THAT STUDENTS YOUNGER
[1:20:09] PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS
[1:20:11] THEIR RESPONSIBILITY?
[1:20:13] I THINK HOWEVER WE CAN MAKE
[1:20:14] THAT HAPPEN WOULD BE AMAZING.
[1:20:16] UM, AND I ALSO WANT TO ECHO UM,
[1:20:17] SHERYL'S POINT ABOUT THE
[1:20:19] SIGNAGE AS I MENTIONED IN MY IN
[1:20:21] MY UH, TESTIMONY SIGNAGE IS A
[1:20:23] HUGE ISSUE, RIGHT?
[1:20:25] PEOPLE ARE VERY CONFUSED ABOUT
[1:20:27] ABOUT HOW THEY GET TO WHERE
[1:20:29] THEY GET TO, PARTICULARLY WHEN
[1:20:31] WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER
[1:20:32] OF I GUESS WARDS WITHIN A
[1:20:35] WITHIN LIKE ONE SCHOOL GYM.
[1:20:36] RIGHT?
[1:20:37] LIKE THEY'RE VERY CONFUSED
[1:20:38] ABOUT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE,
[1:20:40] WHAT THAT MEANS WHERE THEY'RE
[1:20:42] SUPPOSED TO BE.
[1:20:43] UM AND SO WE SHOULD WE SHOULD
[1:20:45] WORK ON WAYS AND MAKING SURE
[1:20:47] THAT THE SIGNAGE IS MORE, UM,
[1:20:49] VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE.
[1:20:51] AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN DO
[1:20:53] NOW LIKE BEFORE NOVEMBER.
[1:20:55] YEAH, YEAH THANK YOU TRACY.
[1:20:57] AND AGAIN ADMIN IS HERE AND
[1:21:00] WE'VE.
[1:21:00] HEARD A LOT OF.
[1:21:01] COMMENTS ABOUT.
[1:21:01] SIGNAGE SO WE'LL.
[1:21:03] I'M GOING TO TAKE IT.
[1:21:04] I'M.
[1:21:04] THE AUTHORITY THE LIBERTY TO
[1:21:06] SAY.
[1:21:06] THAT I KNOW THAT THEY'RE GOING
[1:21:07] TO BE WORKING ON SIGNING FOR
[1:21:08] THIS UPCOMING ELECTION OKAY.
[1:21:10] THAT UH CHAIR RECOGNIZES
[1:21:12] COUNCIL YOU HAVE THE FLOOR AND
[1:21:13] SEVEN MINUTES.
[1:21:14] UH THANK YOU, CHAIR.
[1:21:16] AND THANK YOU TO THE PARENTS
[1:21:17] THAT ARE HERE.
[1:21:17] UM, A LOT OF MY, UH, QUESTIONS
[1:21:20] HAVE BEEN ANSWERED ALREADY.
[1:21:22] UM, BUT I AM HERE FOR
[1:21:24] EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN
[1:21:26] ADVOCATED FOR.
[1:21:27] UM, YOU KNOW, CHERYL, YOU
[1:21:28] MENTIONED THE THE SIGNAGE AND I
[1:21:30] REMEMBER LIKE YOU DRIVE AROUND
[1:21:31] BOSTON AND SOMETIMES YOU SEE,
[1:21:33] YOU KNOW, SOMETHING CHAIN
[1:21:34] LINKED RIGHT TO ONE OF THESE
[1:21:36] LIGHT POLES AND IT'S LIKE
[1:21:37] HALFWAY TIPPING OVER OR UM IT'S
[1:21:39] NOT REALLY VISIBLE.
[1:21:41] SO I DO BELIEVE WE COULD BE A
[1:21:43] LOT MORE UM, EXCITED UM, AS A
[1:21:46] CITY AND ONE OF THE WAYS IS
[1:21:48] JUST MAKING SURE THAT THAT
[1:21:49] SIGHTING IS VISIBLE AND VIBRANT
[1:21:51] AND BRIGHT UM, BUT ALSO VERY
[1:21:53] MUCH IN FAVOR.
[1:21:54] OF.
[1:21:54] YOU KNOW, MAKING IT A
[1:21:56] HOLIDAY, RIGHT?
[1:21:56] I MEAN, WHEN YOU HAVE A DAY OFF
[1:21:58] YOU'RE LIKE, WHY DO I HAVE A
[1:21:59] DAY OFF?
[1:22:00] RIGHT?
[1:22:00] AND IT'S LIKE YOU START TO PUSH
[1:22:02] THAT NARRATIVE THIS IS ELECTION
[1:22:03] DAY.
[1:22:05] SO ANY ANY WAY UM THAT WE CAN
[1:22:06] DO IT PARTNERSHIP WITH THE
[1:22:08] SCHOOL I LOVE THAT IDEA.
[1:22:10] UM I YOU KNOW, IT'S SOMETHING
[1:22:12] THAT JUST SEEMS SO SEAMLESS,
[1:22:13] RIGHT?
[1:22:14] WE ALREADY HAVE A GROUP
[1:22:14] OF VOTERS, UM, IN THE SCHOOLS
[1:22:16] WHO ARE PROBABLY WAITING AND
[1:22:19] READY TO BE ENGAGED ON ON THIS
[1:22:22] TOPIC.
[1:22:22] SO IF YOU, UM, HAPPY TO PARTNER
[1:22:25] UH, WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT HIGH
[1:22:27] SCHOOLS, UH, INSIDE OF DISTRICT
[1:22:29] FOUR UM, BUT VERY SUPPORTIVE
[1:22:31] OF, YOU KNOW, REDUCING THE
[1:22:32] BARRIERS AND SUPPORTIVE OF ALL
[1:22:34] YOUR WORK.
[1:22:34] THANK YOU.
[1:22:35] THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
[1:22:36] UH, COUNCIL ORAL.
[1:22:39] ALL RIGHT, COUNCILOR MEJIA YOU
[1:22:40] CAN USE THE REST OF HIS TIME IF
[1:22:42] YOU WANT.
[1:22:42] NO, JUST JUST KIDDING.
[1:22:43] WE'RE GOING TO DO A SECOND.
[1:22:44] ROUND RIGHT NOW AND.
[1:22:45] I'LL.
[1:22:45] COME.
[1:22:45] BACK AND I'LL COME BACK IT UP
[1:22:46] AND BACK TO.
[1:22:46] YOU IF.
[1:22:47] OKAY.
[1:22:48] UM, I.
[1:22:49] JUST I THINK ACTUALLY ONE OF MY
[1:22:52] RETURN QUESTIONS IT WAS WHAT
[1:22:55] RIGHTS.
[1:22:55] INFORMATION WHAT.
[1:22:56] WHAT RIGHTS AND INFORMATION.
[1:22:57] TO.
[1:22:57] BE.
[1:22:58] POSTED EVERY SITE ABOUT
[1:22:59] ASSISTANCE ACCESSIBLE EQUIPMENT
[1:23:00] .
[1:23:01] UM AND THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN
[1:23:02] LINE AT 8 P.M. IT SOUNDS.
[1:23:03] LIKE YOU ALL WILL SAY THAT.
[1:23:04] WE NEED MORE.
[1:23:05] OF THAT SIGNAGE.
[1:23:06] UM.
[1:23:07] ANYTHING SPECIFIC AT THE
[1:23:08] POLLING LOCATIONS THAT WE NEED
[1:23:11] TO DO A BETTER JOB OF.
[1:23:11] OF.
[1:23:12] MAKING SURE THERE'S SIGNAGE
[1:23:12] ABOUT.
[1:23:15] TRACY MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING.
[1:23:18] YES.
[1:23:19] EXCELLENT ACCESSIBLE
[1:23:22] ENTRANCES, ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCES
[1:23:24] .
[1:23:25] UM E YEAH.
[1:23:27] AND AND THEN ALSO.
[1:23:29] TRACY YOU UPLIFTED.
[1:23:30] THE HEAD YOU UP TO UPLIFTED
[1:23:31] THAT HIGGINS AND LEWIS AND
[1:23:33] ROXBURY FROM THIS PRIMARY RIGHT
[1:23:35] SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE SAW
[1:23:36] YES YOU WEEKS AGO OKAY.
[1:23:37] YEAH.
[1:23:38] YES YES.
[1:23:40] UM YOU KNOW AND AND IT ALSO
[1:23:42] NEEDS TO BE WHEN I SAY
[1:23:43] ACCESSIBLE IT ISN'T JUST
[1:23:45] WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY UM
[1:23:47] BECAUSE THE ACCESSIBILITY LOOKS
[1:23:49] DIFFERENT FOR SOMEONE IN A
[1:23:51] WHEELCHAIR VERSUS SOMEONE WITH
[1:23:52] A WALKER OR A CANE.
[1:23:54] RIGHT.
[1:23:55] SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I
[1:23:56] ENCOUNTERED, UM, YOU KNOW, ONCE
[1:24:01] WE COULD ONCE WE FIGURED OUT
[1:24:02] LIKE THE THE AUTOMATIC DOOR
[1:24:04] SITUATION.
[1:24:04] RIGHT.
[1:24:05] THAT WAS FINE.
[1:24:06] THERE WAS A RAMP YOU COULD GET
[1:24:07] THROUGH THE AUTOMATIC DOOR.
[1:24:09] UM, BUT THEN YOU HAD TO
[1:24:10] LITERALLY GO ABOUT THE LENGTH
[1:24:12] OF A FOOTBALL FIELD BEFORE YOU
[1:24:13] GOT TO THE ELEVATOR THAT WAS
[1:24:15] THEN GOING TO TAKE YOU UP SO
[1:24:17] THAT DISTANCE WORKS FINE FOR
[1:24:19] SOMEONE IN IN A WHEELCHAIR THAT
[1:24:21] MIGHT NOT WORK WELL FOR SOMEONE
[1:24:23] WHO HAS TO WALK THAT DISTANCE
[1:24:24] AND HAS YOU KNOW, MOBILITY
[1:24:26] CHALLENGES.
[1:24:27] RIGHT?
[1:24:28] SO WE NEED TO LOOK AT IT
[1:24:29] THROUGH A VARIETY
[1:24:30] OF ACCESSIBILITY LENSES.
[1:24:32] UM AND AND THAT'S IMPORTANT AS
[1:24:34] WELL.
[1:24:35] THANK YOU TRACY.
[1:24:38] UM.
[1:24:39] .
[1:24:39] UH WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR
[1:24:41] EDUCATING VOTERS.
[1:24:42] ABOUT THE.
[1:24:43] COMPLEXITY OF.
[1:24:45] UH, THE QUESTION.
[1:24:46] NOT THEY'RE NOT COMPLEX BUT
[1:24:48] THERE ARE NINE QUESTIONS.
[1:24:49] ON.
[1:24:50] THE BALLOT.
[1:24:50] UM, AND SO WHAT IS A PLAN.
[1:24:52] TO.
[1:24:53] EDUCATE VOTERS I WILL NEVER
[1:24:54] FORGET.
[1:24:56] ON ELECTION DAY IN 2020.
[1:24:59] WITH, UH.
[1:25:00] RANKED CHOICE VOTING
[1:25:01] STATEWIDE.
[1:25:02] BEFORE I WAS ELECTED MYSELF
[1:25:04] RANKED CHOICE.
[1:25:04] VOTING WAS ON.
[1:25:05] THE.
[1:25:06] BALLOT STATEWIDE.
[1:25:07] AND I REMEMBER TALKING.
[1:25:08] TO VOTERS.
[1:25:08] WHO.
[1:25:09] CAME OUT.
[1:25:10] OF UH, THE.
[1:25:11] POLLING LOCATIONS AND.
[1:25:12] SAID THAT THEY VOTED NO ON
[1:25:13] IT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T
[1:25:14] UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION AND
[1:25:16] LIKE I WANTED TO TEAR MY HAIR
[1:25:17] OUT BECAUSE I'M LIKE WE COULD
[1:25:18] HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB OF VOTER
[1:25:20] EDUCATION, BUT HOW ARE WE
[1:25:22] EXPLAINING TO PEOPLE IN SIMPLE
[1:25:24] TERMS WHAT ARE THE NINE
[1:25:25] QUESTIONS AND WHAT THEY WOULD
[1:25:27] MEAN FOR PEOPLE?
[1:25:29] YEAH I KNOW WE ALL HAVE.
[1:25:31] SOMETHING TO SAY HERE BUT I CAN
[1:25:32] SEE.
[1:25:33] A REAL QUICK UM.
[1:25:34] UH JUST.
[1:25:35] A PLUG FOR THE LEAGUE HAS
[1:25:36] BEEN WORKING ON EDUCATING EVEN
[1:25:38] JUST THROUGH THE BALLOT
[1:25:39] PROCESS.
[1:25:40] I THINK THIS HERE HIGHLIGHTED
[1:25:41] QUITE A BIT ABOUT BALLOT
[1:25:43] QUESTIONS WHAT WE LOVE, WHAT
[1:25:44] PEOPLE WANT TO WORK ON THAT
[1:25:45] KIND OF THING.
[1:25:46] SO WE'VE BEEN WORKING FOR ABOUT
[1:25:47] A YEAR NOW ON UM EDUCATING
[1:25:49] VOTERS ON ALL THE PROPOSALS
[1:25:51] THEN.
[1:25:52] ALL THE QUESTIONS NOW AND NOW
[1:25:53] INTO WHAT OUR ADVOCACY IS.
[1:25:55] UM, THE NUMBER ONE TOOL I
[1:25:57] RECOMMEND FOR VOTERS AND WHAT
[1:25:58] WE HAVE BEEN REALLY PUSHING IS
[1:25:59] OUR VOTE FOR ON 1.ORG ONLINE
[1:26:01] TOOL.
[1:26:01] WE PUT IT IN SIMPLE TERMS FOR
[1:26:03] THE BALLOT QUESTIONS.
[1:26:05] UM THIS IS ALSO SEPARATE FROM
[1:26:06] OUR ADVOCACY WORK VOTE FOUR ON
[1:26:07] ONE SO WE DON'T PROVIDE YOU
[1:26:09] KNOW WHICH QUESTION WE'RE
[1:26:11] SUPPORTING.
[1:26:11] UM IT'S JUST THE PLAIN LANGUAGE
[1:26:13] INFORMATION ON A YES AND A NO
[1:26:15] VOTE UM.
[1:26:16] VOTE.
[1:26:16] FOR A RUN ALSO ALLOWS VOTERS ON
[1:26:18] ELECTION DAY TO HAVE UM THEY
[1:26:20] CAN TOGGLE ON THEIR PHONE SO
[1:26:22] THEY CAN, YOU KNOW, SAVE A
[1:26:23] QUESTION, SAVE A YES VOTE, SAVE
[1:26:25] A NO VOTE AND BE ABLE TO REFER
[1:26:26] BACK TO IT IN AN EASY AND
[1:26:28] ACCESSIBLE WAY AT THE BALLOT
[1:26:29] BOX AS WELL.
[1:26:30] WE KEEP IT RUNNING UP UNTIL THE
[1:26:32] A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER THE
[1:26:34] ELECTION.
[1:26:34] SO THERE'S NO WAY THAT VOTERS
[1:26:36] WOULD, YOU KNOW, SHOW UP AT THE
[1:26:38] POLLING LOCATION AT 755.
[1:26:39] AND NOT.
[1:26:40] HAVE ACCESS TO THAT
[1:26:41] INFORMATION.
[1:26:42] UM, WE'VE ALSO BEEN DOING OUR
[1:26:43] BALLOT QUESTION FORUMS ACROSS
[1:26:45] THE STATE WITH OUR LOCAL
[1:26:47] LEAGUES.
[1:26:47] UM, I KNOW HERE WE HAVE BEEN
[1:26:49] FOCUSING A BIT MORE ON ZOOM
[1:26:51] JUST BECAUSE OF THE INTEREST
[1:26:52] IN.
[1:26:53] UH, THESE.
[1:26:53] UH, QUESTIONS AND AND HOW HIGH
[1:26:55] PROFILE THEY ARE.
[1:26:56] BUT THAT WOULD BE OUR RESPONSE
[1:26:58] AND HOW WE'RE WORKING ON THAT.
[1:27:00] UM, AND REFERRING PEOPLE
[1:27:01] CONTINUALLY TO THE RED BOOK
[1:27:02] THIS YEAR UM, AS LONG AS IT MAY
[1:27:04] BE UM BECAUSE OF THE GREAT
[1:27:06] INFORMATION.
[1:27:06] WITHIN IT.
[1:27:07] THANK YOU.
[1:27:07] THIS WILL BE MY LAST QUESTION
[1:27:08] BECAUSE I WAS.
[1:27:09] GOING TO GET.
[1:27:10] OH OH.
[1:27:10] GO AHEAD SHARE MY BAD I'M
[1:27:11] SORRY.
[1:27:12] NO BECAUSE I'M SO EXCITED.
[1:27:13] YES BECAUSE YOU'VE.
[1:27:14] BEEN.
[1:27:14] WORKING ON THIS IS YOUR BABY.
[1:27:16] FRESH HOT.
[1:27:17] OFF THE PRESS WE.
[1:27:18] CREATED A BOOKMARK SO IT'S
[1:27:20] SKINNY RIGHT?
[1:27:21] AND IT HAS THE NINE QUESTIONS
[1:27:23] FIVE ON THE.
[1:27:23] FRONT.
[1:27:24] FOUR ON THE BACK AND IT.
[1:27:25] HAS THE QUESTION AND IT SAYS
[1:27:28] YES NO.
[1:27:29] AND WHAT WE'RE HOPING TO DO IS
[1:27:32] TO GIVE IT OUT EVERYWHERE
[1:27:33] MOVING FORWARD AT ALL OF OUR
[1:27:35] EVENTS TABLING EVENTS THE FORM
[1:27:38] AND.
[1:27:38] ASK EVERYBODY TO.
[1:27:39] MAKE THAT DECISION BEFORE AND
[1:27:41] TAKE THIS BOOKMARK WITH YOU,
[1:27:43] UM.
[1:27:44] TO THE POLLING LOCATION.
[1:27:45] NO ONE IS GOING TO SIT UP
[1:27:46] THERE AND.
[1:27:46] READ THAT RED BOOK, UM COVER TO
[1:27:49] COVER AND UNDERSTAND IT.
[1:27:51] UH, AND.
[1:27:52] THEN REMEMBER THEN DEFINITELY
[1:27:53] NOT GOING TO GO INTO THE
[1:27:55] POLLING LOCATION YOU HAND THEM
[1:27:56] I.
[1:27:56] ANTICIPATE THE BALLOTS GOING TO
[1:27:58] BE ABOUT FIVE AT MINIMUM SEVEN
[1:28:00] PAGES.
[1:28:00] HOW MANY PAGES?
[1:28:01] ONLY THREE.
[1:28:03] COMMISSIONERS INQUIRY.
[1:28:04] WELL I'M JUST THINKING NINE
[1:28:06] QUESTIONS BUT ANYWAY UM BUT
[1:28:09] ASKING PEOPLE TO FLIP FLIP FLIP
[1:28:11] .
[1:28:11] KNOW WOULD KNOW WE ALWAYS ASK
[1:28:13] PEOPLE TO MAKE A.
[1:28:14] PLAN.
[1:28:15] BEFORE YOU.
[1:28:15] HOW ARE YOU GOING TO VOTE NOW
[1:28:16] WE'RE ASKING YOU TO MAKE.
[1:28:17] SURE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND
[1:28:18] WHAT'S ON THE BALLOT BEFORE YOU
[1:28:20] WALK IN THERE.
[1:28:21] THOSE NINE BALLOT QUESTIONS CAN
[1:28:23] BE YOU KNOW, OH COME SOON.
[1:28:25] AND SO YES THANK YOU THAT'S
[1:28:27] GREAT AND I LOVE I HOPE THAT
[1:28:29] BOOKMARK GETS PROMOTED.
[1:28:30] AND I ALSO HOPE THAT I KNOW
[1:28:32] THAT YOU MIGHT VOTE IS
[1:28:33] NONPARTISAN BUT I HOPE THAT WE
[1:28:34] ARE YOU KNOW GIVING PEOPLE LIKE
[1:28:36] YES ON QUESTION FOUR NO ONE
[1:28:38] QUESTION THREE THAT WE ARE
[1:28:39] GIVING UH I KNOW THAT YOU ARE
[1:28:41] SAYING THAT.
[1:28:41] AND.
[1:28:42] SAYING THAT THOSE ARE THE
[1:28:42] POSITIONS THAT YOU KNOW, I'M
[1:28:44] PREPARED TO TAKE THAT WE ARE
[1:28:45] ALSO SHARING THAT INFORMATION
[1:28:46] WITH OTHERS.
[1:28:47] UM, OKAY.
[1:28:48] I'M GOING TO UH
[1:28:51] COUNCIL COUNCILPERSON BREADON,
[1:28:52] YOU HAVE THE FLOOR AND FIVE
[1:28:53] MINUTES FOR ANY ADDITIONAL
[1:28:54] QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
[1:28:55] UM, I THINK THE BALLOT THE
[1:28:59] BALANCE, THE THE THE BALLOT
[1:29:02] CHALLENGE CAUSED HICCUPS IN THE
[1:29:04] POLLING PROCESS THE LAST TIME.
[1:29:06] SO MULTIPLE SHEETS I THINK UM I
[1:29:09] THINK IT'S A QUESTION OF MAYBE
[1:29:10] POLLING WORKERS NO 1 TO 1 PAGE
[1:29:13] AT A TIME AND PUT THEM IN
[1:29:14] SLOWLY AND DON'T PUT THEM FEED
[1:29:16] THEM ALL IN TOGETHER LIKE COULD
[1:29:18] GET CHEWED UP.
[1:29:19] AND THEN IT'S IT SCREWS UP THE
[1:29:20] WHOLE PROCESS.
[1:29:22] BUT UM IN TERMS OF THINKING
[1:29:26] ABOUT UM.
[1:29:28] THE BALLOT THE BALLOT QUESTIONS
[1:29:32] PEOPLE JUST SKIP THOSE BECAUSE
[1:29:34] IT'S JUST TOO HARD TO THINK
[1:29:35] ABOUT OR UM AND THEN OR TO THE
[1:29:38] I DON'T WANT THEM TO THROW THE
[1:29:39] BABY OUT WITH THE BATHWATER AND
[1:29:41] DECIDE OH THIS IS JUST TOO MUCH
[1:29:42] I'M NOT EVEN GOING TO BOTHER
[1:29:44] VOTING.
[1:29:44] IS THAT WHAT'S YOUR EXPERIENCE
[1:29:45] WITH UM YEAH.
[1:29:46] THAT'S WHAT I AND THAT'S WHAT.
[1:29:48] I BELIEVE IN.
[1:29:49] THE WRITING IS SMALL THE.
[1:29:50] WRITING IN.
[1:29:51] ESPECIALLY FINDING OUT.
[1:29:53] THAT YOU'RE GOING TO PUT
[1:29:54] NINE BALLOT QUESTIONS ON THREE
[1:29:55] PAGES AND I KNOW THE WRITING IS
[1:29:57] GOING TO BE SMALL NOW.
[1:29:58] RIGHT.
[1:29:59] WE NEED TO MAKE IT LARGER.
[1:30:00] BUT UM.
[1:30:03] I THINK PEOPLE GET DISCOURAGED
[1:30:05] BUT BUT.
[1:30:06] THE POINT I WANT TO BRING.
[1:30:07] UP HERE IN THIS MOMENT IS I
[1:30:09] REMEMBER TWO YEARS AGO WE HAD
[1:30:11] MAYBE 2 OR 3 BALLOT TWO BALLOT
[1:30:12] QUESTIONS BUT IT WAS TWO PAGES
[1:30:14] TO THE BALLOT AND I.
[1:30:16] REMEMBER IN.
[1:30:17] ROXBURY THEY WERE ONLY GIVEN
[1:30:18] OUT ONE PAGE.
[1:30:19] THEY WEREN'T GIVING OUT TWO
[1:30:21] PAGES.
[1:30:21] MANY OF.
[1:30:22] THOSE BALLOT.
[1:30:22] QUESTIONS DID NOT GET APPROVED
[1:30:24] OR VOTED ON BECAUSE THEY DID
[1:30:25] NOT HAVE TWO PAGES.
[1:30:27] I WANT TO MAKE SURE.
[1:30:28] THIS YEAR IF HOWEVER MANY PAGES
[1:30:30] IT IS THAT EVERY PRECINCT HAS
[1:30:33] ALL THE PAGES AND THAT THE
[1:30:35] TRAINERS THE POLL WORKERS YOU
[1:30:37] KNOW ARE TRAINED TO MAKE SURE
[1:30:39] THAT THESE PACKAGES ARE GETTING
[1:30:41] IN EVERYONE'S HAND NOT
[1:30:43] PARTIALLY.
[1:30:43] IT'S NOT FAIR TO THE BALLOT
[1:30:45] QUESTIONS THAT ARE ON THE BACK.
[1:30:46] IF THE LAST PAGE IS NOT EVEN
[1:30:48] GIVEN TO THE VOTER.
[1:30:50] .
[1:30:51] THE OTHER QUESTION HOW MANY
[1:30:52] DO YOU WANT THEM TO UNDERSTAND
[1:30:53] ?
[1:30:53] YEAH I WOULD.
[1:30:54] JUST ADD THAT YOU.
[1:30:55] KNOW, FOR US PART OF THE
[1:30:57] EDUCATION WITH THE BALLOT
[1:30:58] QUESTIONS AS WELL AS NOT ONLY,
[1:30:59] YOU KNOW, THE APATHY OR THE
[1:31:01] CONFUSION THAT HAVING SO MANY
[1:31:03] QUESTIONS HAS BUT ALSO JUST THE
[1:31:04] SIMPLY TURN OVER YOUR BALLOT
[1:31:07] CHECK THAT NEXT PAGE FOR VOTERS
[1:31:09] .
[1:31:09] UM, SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT
[1:31:10] YOU KNOW, WE LOOK TO WORK IN
[1:31:11] PARTNERSHIP WITH ADMINISTRATORS
[1:31:13] AND POLL WORKERS ON IN OUR
[1:31:14] EDUCATION OF JUST REMINDING
[1:31:16] VOTERS THAT THERE IS MORE THAN
[1:31:17] THE CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT.
[1:31:18] AND THAT THEY.
[1:31:19] DO HAVE.
[1:31:19] TO CHECK THOSE ADDITIONAL
[1:31:20] PAGES FOR THAT A.
[1:31:22] NO LIVE ISSUE.
[1:31:22] I'LL PROBABLY ASK THIS QUESTION
[1:31:23] OF OUR OUR ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT
[1:31:25] FOLKS WHEN THEY COME, BUT HOW
[1:31:27] DO WE MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE
[1:31:28] ENOUGH UM, ELECTION POLL
[1:31:32] WORKERS IN AN ELECTION DAY?
[1:31:33] BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IT'S AN
[1:31:35] ONEROUS COMMITMENT.
[1:31:36] YOU HAVE TO BE THERE VERY EARLY
[1:31:37] IN THE MORNING AND YOU'RE
[1:31:38] WORKING LATE INTO THE EVENING.
[1:31:39] IT'S NOT VERY WELL COMPENSATED
[1:31:41] BUT IT IS LIKE A CIVIC DUTY.
[1:31:43] PEOPLE TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY.
[1:31:45] HOW DO WE RECRUIT MORE PEOPLE
[1:31:47] AND GET MORE PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY
[1:31:48] OUR YOUNGER PEOPLE ENGAGED IN
[1:31:49] THIS PROCESS AND.
[1:31:52] WE'VE SEEN SO AT THE LEAGUE WE
[1:31:54] DO AN EXTENSIVE POLL WORKER
[1:31:55] RECRUITMENT.
[1:31:56] UM WE KNOW POLL WORKERS ARE
[1:31:57] SOME OF THE LIFEBLOOD OF OUR
[1:31:59] ELECTIONS.
[1:32:00] UM WHAT WE'VE.
[1:32:01] SEEN HELP INCENTIVIZE YOUNGER
[1:32:03] PEOPLE IS THAT VOLUNTEER HOURS
[1:32:05] COULD THIS GO TOWARDS THEIR
[1:32:06] NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
[1:32:07] REQUIREMENT?
[1:32:07] COULD THIS GO TOWARDS, YOU
[1:32:09] KNOW, A RESUME AND GIVING THEM
[1:32:11] THE INFORMATION THAT HELPS WITH
[1:32:12] THAT?
[1:32:13] WE TELL EVERY YOUNG PERSON THAT
[1:32:14] COMES TO US AND SAYS I'M GOING
[1:32:16] TO BE A POLL WORKER TO COME
[1:32:17] BACK TO US AFTER ELECTION DAY
[1:32:18] TO GET THE LANGUAGE ON HOW TO
[1:32:20] REFLECT THAT IN COLLEGE
[1:32:21] APPLICATIONS IN THEIR RESUMES
[1:32:22] AND THAT KIND OF WORK.
[1:32:24] SO FOR YOUNG PEOPLE I THINK
[1:32:25] IT'S KIND OF EMPHASIZING WHAT
[1:32:27] BEING A POLL WORKER MEANS AND
[1:32:28] HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS AND HOW
[1:32:30] ADMITTEDLY GREAT THAT LOOKS FOR
[1:32:32] THEM UM, AS BEING THAT
[1:32:33] INVOLVED.
[1:32:33] BUT AS FAR AS UM, OTHER PEOPLE
[1:32:36] BECAUSE I THINK UNDERSTANDING
[1:32:37] UM FOR THOSE THAT YOU KNOW,
[1:32:39] HAVE BEEN VOTING WHAT THE ROLE
[1:32:40] OF A POLL WORKER IS UM, AND WHY
[1:32:42] THAT'S SO IMPORTANT, YOU KNOW,
[1:32:44] WE ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE IT'S
[1:32:45] THEIR CIVIC DUTY, BUT THE.
[1:32:47] FUNCTION OF A POLL WORKER CAN
[1:32:48] SOMETIMES BE A MYSTERY TO.
[1:32:49] UM, CONSTITUENTS.
[1:32:51] SO I WOULD POINT TO JUST
[1:32:52] FURTHER EDUCATION AND KIND
[1:32:53] OF LIKE THE DUTIES AND
[1:32:54] RESPONSIBILITIES HOW LONG OUR
[1:32:56] SHIFTS, YOU KNOW WHAT IS THE
[1:32:58] COMPENSATION AND SAYING THAT
[1:32:58] PLAINLY IF IT'S VOLUNTEERISM OR
[1:33:02] WHAT CAN THAT GO TOWARDS KIND
[1:33:03] OF THING JUST PROVIDING THAT
[1:33:04] SORT OF VALUE ADDED TO THE UM
[1:33:06] VOLUNTEER CHOOSING TO DO THAT
[1:33:07] WORK.
[1:33:08] I ALSO THINK UM I'D LOVE TO
[1:33:09] HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS ON CIVICS
[1:33:10] EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS.
[1:33:12] I KNOW WHEN I WAS A KIDDO UM
[1:33:14] OUR SCHOOL CLOSED FOR ELECTION
[1:33:15] DAY AND ALL THE GEAR ARRIVED
[1:33:17] AND OUR PRINCIPALS WE WERE
[1:33:20] REALLY TINY COUNTRY SCHOOL BUT
[1:33:22] WE ACTUALLY ENACTED WHAT WAS
[1:33:24] GOING TO HAPPEN THE NEXT DAY
[1:33:25] FOR THE BIG FOR THE ADULTS.
[1:33:27] BUT WE HAD A LITTLE ELECTION
[1:33:29] AND EXPLAINED WHAT WHAT VOTING
[1:33:31] WAS ALL ABOUT.
[1:33:32] BUT HOW DO WE HOW DO WE IMPROVE
[1:33:34] OUR CIVICS EDUCATION?
[1:33:35] AND BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S A
[1:33:37] BIG BIG ISSUE AS WELL.
[1:33:39] LIKE WHAT HOW DO WE HOW DO WE
[1:33:41] GET INCREASE VOTER
[1:33:42] PARTICIPATION THROUGH STARTING
[1:33:44] GET THEM EARLY.
[1:33:46] THAT'S WHERE I WAS GOING TO GO
[1:33:48] WITH TRACY STARTING WITH THAT
[1:33:49] WE HAVE TO START EARLIER AND
[1:33:50] MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE FAMILIAR
[1:33:52] WITH THE PROCESS.
[1:33:53] THE OTHER POINT I WANTED TO
[1:33:55] BRING THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT IS
[1:33:56] PARTNERING WITH COLLEGES I KNOW
[1:33:57] SUFFOLK VOTES, WE PARTNERED
[1:33:59] WITH SOMETHING VOTES ON THEIR
[1:34:01] ACTIVITIES TO TURN OUT THE
[1:34:03] STUDENTS IN AT SUFFOLK, BUT
[1:34:05] THEY WERE PART OF A MUCH LARGER
[1:34:08] UM PROCESS RIGHT?
[1:34:09] THEY OF THE COLLEGES BUT REALLY
[1:34:11] HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK
[1:34:12] WITH THOSE STUDENTS ABOUT TO
[1:34:14] YOUR POINT HOW IT IMPACTS THEIR
[1:34:17] LIFE RIGHT AND HOW MUCH FUN IT
[1:34:18] CAN BE BECAUSE IT REALLY IS FUN
[1:34:20] ON ELECTION DAY TO BE ENGAGED,
[1:34:21] CIVICALLY ENGAGED AND IT'S
[1:34:23] MEANINGFUL.
[1:34:23] BUT I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE
[1:34:25] PARTNER WITH COLLEGES.
[1:34:27] I THINK THAT'S GOOD.
[1:34:28] THAT'S A.
[1:34:28] MAKING IT A SOCIAL.
[1:34:30] EVENT AND YOU KNOW, LET'S GO
[1:34:32] FOR COFFEE OR GO FOR A BEER OR
[1:34:33] WHATEVER IT IS, UM, TO MAKE IT
[1:34:35] A SOCIAL EVENT THAT YOU.
[1:34:37] DO AS.
[1:34:37] A GROUP.
[1:34:39] UM YEAH.
[1:34:39] THANK YOU.
[1:34:41] OH YEAH.
[1:34:42] THE ACLU.
[1:34:42] DOES A NUMBER OF, UM, CIVIC
[1:34:44] EDUCATION SCHOOLS AROUND THE
[1:34:46] COMMONWEALTH.
[1:34:46] UM, OUR TARGET AUDIENCE IS AT
[1:34:49] IS YOU KNOW, IS ADULTS.
[1:34:51] BUT I COULD ABSOLUTELY SEE HOW
[1:34:53] THIS COULD BE SOMETHING THAT
[1:34:54] COULD BE, YOU KNOW, PUT INTO
[1:34:55] SCHOOLS.
[1:34:56] UM, YOU KNOW, IF THE SCHOOLS
[1:34:57] ARE INTERESTED IN IN IT IN IT
[1:34:59] AND I DO YEAH, I I COMPLETELY
[1:35:02] BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO START
[1:35:03] THIS PROCESS EARLIER.
[1:35:05] RIGHT.
[1:35:06] STUDENTS NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHY
[1:35:07] THIS IS IMPORTANT.
[1:35:10] UM, AND I, I, I LOVE THE IDEA
[1:35:12] OF OF GETTING STUDENTS TO
[1:35:14] UNDERSTAND THAT POLL BEING A
[1:35:16] POLL WORKER COULD BE TO THEIR
[1:35:18] BENEFIT AS WELL AS DOING GOOD
[1:35:20] IN THE COMMUNITY.
[1:35:21] RIGHT.
[1:35:23] SO YEAH, I THINK THERE ARE A
[1:35:24] NUMBER OF WAYS THAT WE CAN
[1:35:25] APPROACH IT.
[1:35:26] THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR.
[1:35:28] THANK YOU.
[1:35:29] THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[1:35:30] UH, COUNCIL PRESIDENT BRANDON,
[1:35:31] THANK YOU TO THIS PANEL, UH,
[1:35:32] THE.
[1:35:32] TRACK AND.
[1:35:33] AS A COUNCIL MEMBER YOU HAVE
[1:35:34] FIVE MINUTES.
[1:35:35] THANK YOU.
[1:35:36] UM, I WILL SAY, UH, THE
[1:35:38] AROUND THE PRESIDENTIAL
[1:35:39] ELECTION 2024, I WENT OUT WITH
[1:35:41] A GROUP OF FIFTH GRADERS AT THE
[1:35:43] B2 SCHOOL.
[1:35:44] I RECREATED SOMETHING THAT I
[1:35:46] REMEMBER FROM BEING A FIFTH
[1:35:47] GRADER AND WE WE RAN THROUGH
[1:35:48] THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND WE
[1:35:50] DID A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
[1:35:52] WHEN I WAS IN FIFTH GRADE IT
[1:35:54] WAS MONDALE REAGAN BUT UH BUT
[1:35:57] AND I WE DIDN'T DO TRUMP HARRIS
[1:35:59] BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WOULD JUST
[1:36:00] BE A LANDSLIDE.
[1:36:01] SO WE DID MICHAEL JACKSON
[1:36:02] VERSUS TAYLOR SWIFT AND MICHAEL
[1:36:04] JACKSON WON THE POPULAR VOTE,
[1:36:06] BUT TAYLOR SWIFT WON THE
[1:36:07] ELECTORAL COLLEGE BECAUSE SHE
[1:36:08] HAD CALIFORNIA AND FLORIDA.
[1:36:10] BUT UM UH BUT I MEAN THAT STUCK
[1:36:12] WITH ME FOR A LOT OF YEARS.
[1:36:14] UH, AND I HOPEFULLY THOSE KIDS
[1:36:17] UH, YOU KNOW, REMEMBER THAT
[1:36:18] KIND OF EXPERIENCE.
[1:36:20] I THINK WE CAN DO A LOT IN THE
[1:36:21] SCHOOLS AROUND THAT.
[1:36:23] THANK YOU TO TRACY BILLY AT THE
[1:36:24] SCHOOLS LIBRARIAN THERE FOR FOR
[1:36:26] DOING THAT WITH ME.
[1:36:27] UM, OKAY, SO NUMBER ONE I GUESS
[1:36:29] MAYBE THIS IS FOR FOR UH, TRACY
[1:36:31] UP THERE FOR.
[1:36:32] ADA COMPLIANCE.
[1:36:34] UM, DO WE HAVE LIKE UH UH ALL
[1:36:37] THE POLLING PLACES AUDITED OR
[1:36:39] DO YOU HAVE OR IS THIS JUST
[1:36:40] LIKE YOU YOU'VE BEEN TO A FEW
[1:36:42] AND YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT
[1:36:43] PROBLEMS?
[1:36:44] DO WE HAVE A SENSE OF LIKE IF
[1:36:45] WE HAD TO GRADE ALL THE
[1:36:47] LOCATIONS, HAVE WE HAD THEM
[1:36:49] VISITED AND SIGNED OFF ON OR
[1:36:51] NOT?
[1:36:52] IT'S FUNNY YOU SHOULD
[1:36:52] MENTION THAT.
[1:36:53] SO, UH, THE ELECTION
[1:36:55] MODERNIZATION COALITION HAS A
[1:36:57] BILL UM, THAT THAT IS ASKING
[1:37:00] THAT THE POLLING PLACES BE
[1:37:02] AUDITED ON A REGULAR BASIS.
[1:37:04] UM, MAYBE CELIA CAN LOOK THAT
[1:37:07] ONE UP TOO, BUT UM YEAH, WE YOU
[1:37:11] KNOW, THE IDEA IS THAT A
[1:37:13] REGULAR AUDIT OF THE POLLING
[1:37:15] PLACES AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH
[1:37:16] WOULD ALERT US TO THESE ISSUES
[1:37:18] AND PROBLEMS, UM, AHEAD OF TIME
[1:37:20] AS OPPOSED TO US FINDING
[1:37:21] FINDING OUT ABOUT THESE
[1:37:22] SITUATIONS THE DAY OF I MEAN,
[1:37:24] SOME OF THE OTHER ISSUES THAT,
[1:37:27] UM, I WAS BASED IN LAWRENCE UM
[1:37:30] PRIMARY DAY UM, AND WE HAD
[1:37:33] OTHER FOLKS YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY
[1:37:34] AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH BUT
[1:37:35] SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE RAN
[1:37:37] INTO COULD HAVE BEEN REMEDIED.
[1:37:39] UM, YOU KNOW, HAD WE HAD WE
[1:37:40] JUST HAD A LITTLE BIT OF NOTICE
[1:37:42] ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE FOUND
[1:37:44] OUT UM, IN A COUPLE OF PLACES
[1:37:45] BECAUSE WE USE SCHOOL
[1:37:47] BUILDINGS, UM, WE RAN INTO
[1:37:50] SITUATIONS WHERE SCHOOL STAFF
[1:37:53] WERE LEAVING AT 3:00 AND SO
[1:37:57] DOORS WERE THEN LOCKED BECAUSE
[1:38:01] SCHOOL STAFF WAS NOT THERE TO
[1:38:03] KEEP THEM OPEN.
[1:38:05] UM, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE
[1:38:07] COULD IDENTIFY AHEAD OF TIME
[1:38:09] RECOGNIZING THE SCHEDULING THAT
[1:38:11] EXISTS IN, YOU KNOW, IN OUR
[1:38:13] SCHOOLS.
[1:38:13] UM, SO THAT'S JUST ONE EXAMPLE
[1:38:16] BUT YES, BUT THE IDEA
[1:38:18] OF AUDITING POLLING PLACES HAS
[1:38:21] IS OUT THERE.
[1:38:22] WE HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR
[1:38:23] THAT.
[1:38:24] UM, IT JUST HAS NOT.
[1:38:27] GONE THE WAY WE.
[1:38:28] HAD.
[1:38:28] HOPED FOR.
[1:38:29] OKAY.
[1:38:30] UM UH THEN SO IN TERMS
[1:38:33] OF LIKE FEDERAL OFFICIALS
[1:38:34] SHOWING UP AT POLLING STATIONS
[1:38:36] IS CAN YOU JUST EXPLAIN LIKE
[1:38:38] WHAT WAS THE REAL REASON WHY
[1:38:40] THEY WERE HERE DURING THE
[1:38:42] DURING THE PRIMARIES AND THEN
[1:38:44] DO YOU EXPECT THIS TO CONTINUE
[1:38:45] ?
[1:38:47] SO UM, THERE'S BEEN A HISTORY
[1:38:49] AND I BELIEVE RACE ON HALL SORT
[1:38:51] OF WAS ALLUDING TO THIS OF OF
[1:38:53] DOJ SENDING OBSERVERS UM OR
[1:38:57] POLL MONITORS TO POLLING PLACES
[1:38:59] TO CHECK IN PARTICULARLY ABOUT
[1:39:01] LANGUAGE ACCESS.
[1:39:02] SO UNDER THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT
[1:39:03] THERE ARE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS
[1:39:05] ABOUT UM DIFFERENT TYPES
[1:39:07] OF LANGUAGE ACCESS UH OR
[1:39:10] DIFFERENT TYPES OF LANGUAGE
[1:39:11] ACCESSIBILITY AND.
[1:39:15] UM THAT IS SORT OF THE GUISE
[1:39:17] UNDER WHICH THEY WERE
[1:39:20] PURPORTING TO TO SEND MONITORS
[1:39:23] TO POLLING PLACES, UM, IN
[1:39:25] SELECT STATES AND SELECT
[1:39:27] CITIES.
[1:39:28] UM DURING THE PRIMARY.
[1:39:30] OKAY.
[1:39:32] UH, DO THEY CARE ABOUT ALL
[1:39:34] LANGUAGE I ACCESS?
[1:39:35] I GUESS I'M JUST YOU KNOW, I
[1:39:37] KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENED WITH THE
[1:39:38] REFUGEE PROGRAM WHERE NOW ALL
[1:39:39] OF A SUDDEN ALL WE CARE ABOUT
[1:39:40] ARE WHITE SOUTH AFRICANS AND,
[1:39:42] UH, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE ONLY
[1:39:43] PEOPLE BEING ADMITTED.
[1:39:44] BUT, UH.
[1:39:46] SO THERE'S THERE'S AND I DON'T
[1:39:47] HAVE THE NUMBER OFF THE TOP
[1:39:49] OF MY HEAD BUT THERE ARE
[1:39:50] CERTAIN NUMBER OF LANGUAGES, UM
[1:39:52] ,THAT ARE RECOGNIZED AS THAT
[1:39:54] ARE RECOGNIZED UNDER THE VOTING
[1:39:56] RIGHTS ACT.
[1:39:56] AND THEN IN CERTAIN
[1:39:59] MUNICIPALITIES IT DEPENDS ON
[1:40:00] SORT OF THE THE POPULATION
[1:40:03] OF FOLKS THAT SPEAK THOSE
[1:40:04] LANGUAGES.
[1:40:06] UM, SO IT DIFFERS BASED ON YOU
[1:40:08] KNOW, A TOWN OR A CITY LIKE
[1:40:09] BOSTON WOULD HAVE DIFFERENT
[1:40:11] LANGUAGES THAN MAYBE WORCESTER
[1:40:13] .
[1:40:14] UM.
[1:40:17] YEAH.
[1:40:17] OKAY.
[1:40:17] AND THEN.
[1:40:18] JUST IN TERMS OF THE UH THE
[1:40:20] PRACTICE OF PUTTING PEOPLE ON
[1:40:21] AN ACTIVE STATUS, UH, SO IS
[1:40:24] THERE A POLICY REASON TO KEEP
[1:40:27] THAT LIKE YOU KNOW, IS THERE A
[1:40:30] GOOD POLICY REASON FOR THAT OR
[1:40:31] JUST YOU?
[1:40:32] I THINK.
[1:40:33] I CAN SPEAK FOR ALL OF US THAT
[1:40:34] THE ANSWER TO THAT IS NO.
[1:40:36] OKAY.
[1:40:37] UH AND UM I GUESS MAYBE PART
[1:40:42] OF THAT IS ALSO I KNOW THERE'S
[1:40:44] PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CENSUS
[1:40:46] PROCESS.
[1:40:47] THERE'S BEEN ATTEMPTS TO GET
[1:40:48] IMMIGRATION STATUS PUT ON THE
[1:40:50] CENSUS.
[1:40:50] I THINK COUNCILOR BRADEN'S
[1:40:52] ESSENTIALLY UH, TALKING ABOUT
[1:40:54] SOME OF THAT PEOPLE DON'T WANT
[1:40:56] TO RETURN THEIR CENSUS SO THAT
[1:40:58] THAT MIGHT BE ANOTHER REASON TO
[1:40:59] MAKE SURE BY 2030 WE'RE NOT
[1:41:01] STILL RELYING ON THAT IN I TO
[1:41:03] HAVE THAT CORRECT.
[1:41:05] UM, YEAH.
[1:41:06] WE COULD GO DOWN.
[1:41:07] THE THERE'S A LAUNDRY LIST
[1:41:08] OF, YOU KNOW, REASONS TO UM
[1:41:10] DECOUPLE I, I WOULD POINT TO
[1:41:12] THAT ESPECIALLY YOU KNOW,
[1:41:13] ANYTHING THAT CAN HELP BOOST UM
[1:41:15] VOTERS CONFIDENCE AND TRUST IN
[1:41:17] WHAT THEY'RE EXPECTED TO
[1:41:19] PROVIDE AS PART OF THE PROCESS
[1:41:20] IS ALWAYS A BENEFIT.
[1:41:22] UH, BUT WE.
[1:41:23] KNOW THAT DECOUPLING WHEN WE GO
[1:41:24] DOWN THE UM, LINE ON REASONS I
[1:41:26] MEAN IT'S FULL CENSUS CAN BE A
[1:41:28] BARRIER.
[1:41:28] YOU KNOW, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE
[1:41:30] YOU KNOW, ONE'S UM CENSUS PER
[1:41:32] HOUSEHOLD IN UH THE STATE IT
[1:41:34] CAN EVEN GO AS FAR AS YOU KNOW,
[1:41:36] AT THE LEAGUE WE POINT TO
[1:41:37] VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
[1:41:38] WHO MAY NOT JUST STRAIGHT UP
[1:41:39] GET ACCESS TO THEIR MAIL OR
[1:41:41] THEIR VOTE.
[1:41:41] WE GO INTO UM, YOU KNOW,
[1:41:44] TALKING ABOUT UM, ACCESSIBILITY
[1:41:46] THAT MANY OF THESE STREET
[1:41:47] LISTINGS AREN'T PROVIDED IN
[1:41:49] BRAILLE OR WITH A SCREEN READER
[1:41:50] OR ANY KIND OF WAY FOR.
[1:41:52] FOLKS WITH VISION.
[1:41:53] PROBLEMS OR EVEN THE FILLING
[1:41:54] OUT OF THE ACTUAL PAPERWORK
[1:41:56] WHICH I KNOW IN BOSTON THERE IS
[1:41:57] AN ONLINE VERSION AND I WANT TO
[1:41:58] COMMEND YOU FOR THAT.
[1:41:59] UM, THAT IS NOT SOMETHING WE
[1:42:01] SHARE ACROSS THE STATE.
[1:42:02] UM, SO THERE'S A LOT
[1:42:03] OF BARRIERS TO EVEN FILLING
[1:42:05] THIS OUT EVEN IF YOU WANTED TO
[1:42:06] DO IT IN GOOD NATURE AND YOU
[1:42:08] TRUST IT, THERE'S STILL THOSE
[1:42:09] BARRIERS THERE.
[1:42:10] IT JUST IT ONLY STANDS TO BE IN
[1:42:12] THE WAY OF VOTERS.
[1:42:13] THANK YOU OKAY THANK YOU CHAIR.
[1:42:15] THANK YOU.
[1:42:16] UH, COUNCIL WHATEVER THE CHAIR
[1:42:18] RECOGNIZES COMES FROM HERE.
[1:42:18] YOU HAVE THE FLOOR AND FIVE
[1:42:19] MINUTES.
[1:42:20] THANK YOU.
[1:42:20] CHAIR.
[1:42:21] UM, SO YES.
[1:42:24] REAL QUICK.
[1:42:26] UM.
[1:42:26] YOU CAN GO.
[1:42:27] I'M JUST STRUGGLING.
[1:42:28] TO MAKE SURE.
[1:42:29] ALL RIGHT.
[1:42:30] SO, UM, I OFTEN TALK ABOUT THE
[1:42:32] FACT THAT MY MOM HAS A LOW
[1:42:35] LITERACY.
[1:42:36] SHE DIDN'T MAKE IT BEYOND THE
[1:42:37] THIRD GRADE.
[1:42:38] AND SO.
[1:42:40] THOSE THAT BOOK IS NOT ONLY THE
[1:42:42] LETTERS ARE SMALL, IT'S NOT
[1:42:44] ACCESSIBLE TO FOLKS WHO HAVE
[1:42:45] LOW LITERACY.
[1:42:46] AND I'M JUST CURIOUS WHAT IF
[1:42:48] ANY ADVOCACY UM, YOU'D LIKE TO
[1:42:50] SEE AROUND MAYBE UTILIZING MORE
[1:42:52] VISUALS AS AS WAYS TO EDUCATE
[1:42:54] AND INFORM PEOPLE?
[1:42:56] I ALSO.
[1:42:57] AM A BIG ADVOCATE OF AUDIO.
[1:43:00] UM SO JUST CURIOUS IF YOU HAVE
[1:43:02] SEEN OTHER OTHER CITIES OR
[1:43:04] STATES DOING THINGS AROUND
[1:43:06] LANGUAGE INFORMATION JUSTICE IS
[1:43:08] REALLY WHAT I LIKE TO CALL IT
[1:43:09] NOT JUST LANGUAGE ACCESS.
[1:43:11] I JUST THINK THAT WE HAVE TO
[1:43:12] START THINKING ABOUT THE WHOLE
[1:43:13] PERSON AND I'M CURIOUS WHAT
[1:43:14] WHAT IF ANYTHING HAVE YOU SEEN
[1:43:16] IN OTHER CITIES AND STATES AS
[1:43:17] IT RELATES TO INFORMATION
[1:43:19] JUSTICE?
[1:43:20] YEAH.
[1:43:21] SO I CAN'T SPEAK TO.
[1:43:22] WHAT WE'VE.
[1:43:22] SEEN IN.
[1:43:23] OTHER CITIES OR STATES.
[1:43:23] BUT TO YOUR POINT ON AUDIO I
[1:43:25] ALWAYS LIKE TO UNDERLINE UM AND
[1:43:26] I WANT TO THANK THE DISABILITY
[1:43:28] LAW CENTER WHO'S NOT HERE TODAY
[1:43:29] BUT POINTED THIS OUT TO US AND
[1:43:31] EDUCATED OUR ORGANIZATION THAT
[1:43:32] THE AUTO MARK MACHINE THAT IS
[1:43:34] TYPICALLY USED FOR FOLKS THAT
[1:43:35] MAY NEED HELP FILLING IN UM,
[1:43:38] THE CIRCLES OR HELP FILLING OUT
[1:43:39] A BALLOT ALSO CAN READ THE
[1:43:41] BALLOT TO YOU INCLUDING THE
[1:43:42] FULL LANGUAGE OF THESE
[1:43:43] QUESTIONS IN MULTIPLE
[1:43:45] LANGUAGES.
[1:43:45] SO FOR FOLKS THAT YOU KNOW
[1:43:47] UNDER OUR CURRENT SYSTEM WHERE
[1:43:48] WE HAVE THIS BLOCK OF ACCESS TO
[1:43:50] INFORMATION, THE AUTO MARK
[1:43:51] MACHINE CAN BE USED FOR SO MUCH
[1:43:53] MORE THAN JUST THE FILLING OUT
[1:43:54] OF A BALLOT.
[1:43:55] IT WILL ALLOW YOU TO BE RIGHT
[1:43:56] THAT FOR THOSE THAT MAY HAVE
[1:43:58] ISSUES WITH LITERACY UM OR MAY
[1:44:00] NOT HAVE THAT ACCESS TO UM
[1:44:01] LITERACY PROGRAMS, IT WOULD BE
[1:44:03] THE BETTER WAY TO PUT THAT.
[1:44:04] UM.
[1:44:05] I KNOW IN SOME OF OUR OTHER
[1:44:06] STATE LEAGUES UM IN OUR STATE
[1:44:08] PARTNERS WE'VE SEEN UM A LITTLE
[1:44:09] BIT MORE OF LIKE THE PLAIN
[1:44:11] LANGUAGE GO A BIT FARTHER UM,
[1:44:13] JUST STRAIGHT UP TRANSLATING IT
[1:44:15] FROM THE LEGAL LANGUAGE INTO
[1:44:16] THE UM, YOU KNOW, PLAIN
[1:44:18] LANGUAGE.
[1:44:19] THE PROBLEM THAT WE SEE IN
[1:44:20] MASSACHUSETTS FROM A LEAGUE
[1:44:21] PERSPECTIVE IS THAT SOME
[1:44:22] OF THESE QUESTIONS ARE
[1:44:24] INTENTIONALLY COMPLICATED AND
[1:44:25] THE LANGUAGE IS INCREDIBLY HARD
[1:44:28] TO TRANSLATE NOT ONLY INTO
[1:44:29] PLAIN ENGLISH BUT INTO OTHER
[1:44:31] LANGUAGES.
[1:44:31] UM, IN A WAY I KNOW AT THE
[1:44:33] LEAGUE THAT'S BEEN A BARRIER
[1:44:34] FOR US INTO TRANSLATING SOME
[1:44:35] OF OUR MATERIALS IS WE DON'T
[1:44:36] HAVE ACCESS TO BE ABLE TO GET
[1:44:38] THAT.
[1:44:38] MORE.
[1:44:39] TECHNICAL LANGUAGE TRANSLATED.
[1:44:40] UM, SO ANYTHING WE CAN SEE
[1:44:42] ADVOCACY WISE AND I WELCOME UM
[1:44:44] SOLUTIONS FROM OUR PARTNERS AND
[1:44:46] UM OUR ADVOCATES ELSEWHERE, UM,
[1:44:48] INTO HOW CAN WE KIND
[1:44:51] OF DESTIGMATIZE AND KIND
[1:44:52] OF TECHNICALLY MAKE.
[1:44:54] THESE LESS TECHNICAL I GUESS.
[1:44:55] OKAY SO.
[1:44:56] YEAH.
[1:44:57] I'M OFF TO ANSWER JUST
[1:44:58] BECAUSE MY TIME.
[1:44:59] IS.
[1:44:59] TICKING BUT IF SHE.
[1:45:00] SAID EVERYTHING WERE GOOD.
[1:45:01] I WOULD JUST ADD REALLY QUICKLY
[1:45:02] THAT YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE
[1:45:04] SOMEONE HELP.
[1:45:05] YOU.
[1:45:06] VOTE UM, WHETHER IT'S A
[1:45:07] LANGUAGE PROBLEM OR NOT TO YOUR
[1:45:09] POINT SORT OF AN INFORMATION
[1:45:10] GAP.
[1:45:11] SO JUST SPREADING THE WORD THAT
[1:45:12] EVERYONE DOES HAVE THAT RIGHT.
[1:45:14] YEAH OKAY MESSAGE SHOW YEAH I'M
[1:45:16] .
[1:45:16] GOOD.
[1:45:17] I.
[1:45:17] I GOT THREE MORE QUESTIONS.
[1:45:18] AND I'M TRYING TO GET THEM
[1:45:19] IN BEFORE MY.
[1:45:20] TIME OKAY.
[1:45:21] SO UM I'M ALSO.
[1:45:23] CURIOUS ABOUT.
[1:45:23] UH.
[1:45:24] THE POLL.
[1:45:25] WORKERS IN DIVERSE LANGUAGES.
[1:45:26] I'M CURIOUS WHAT IF ANY UM,
[1:45:29] PARTNERSHIPS THAT YOU HAVE IN
[1:45:31] TERMS OF TAPPING TO NONPROFIT
[1:45:33] ORGANIZATIONS WITH.
[1:45:34] DIVERSE LANGUAGE.
[1:45:35] UH, SKILLS.
[1:45:37] I DO KNOW THAT THAT IS THE
[1:45:39] FOCUS OF MASS VOTE IN THE VOTER
[1:45:41] TABLE BECAUSE WE HAVE UM
[1:45:43] REGIONALLY WE HAVE ALL OF THESE
[1:45:45] ORGANIZATIONS AND WE HAVE MANY
[1:45:46] DIFFERENT LANGUAGES AND SO WE
[1:45:48] WE I HEARD YOU MAKE THIS
[1:45:50] REQUEST YESTERDAY IN THE
[1:45:51] MEETING ASKING PEOPLE FOR THAT
[1:45:53] VERY REASON HAITIAN CREOLE BY
[1:45:56] ALL THESE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
[1:45:58] WHERE OUR ORGANIZATIONS UM,
[1:46:00] THRIVE THAT WERE TRYING TO
[1:46:03] RECRUIT POLL WORKERS FROM THOSE
[1:46:06] ORGANIZATIONS WITH, YOU KNOW,
[1:46:07] HIGHLIGHTING THOSE LANGUAGES.
[1:46:09] YEAH.
[1:46:09] BECAUSE WHAT I THINK WOULD
[1:46:11] BE IMPORTANT IS LIKE YES, WE
[1:46:13] NEED IT SAY WE NEED ELECTION
[1:46:15] DAY COVERAGE BUT IF THERE'S A
[1:46:17] WAY.
[1:46:18] I'M LOOKING AT Y'ALL BACK THERE
[1:46:20] TO MAYBE EVEN BRING PEOPLE ON
[1:46:21] BOARD.
[1:46:22] SOONER SO.
[1:46:23] THAT THOSE POLL WORKERS ARE
[1:46:24] ALSO EDUCATING MAYBE THEIR
[1:46:26] IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOODS IT'S
[1:46:27] GOING TO BE ELECTION DAY NEXT
[1:46:28] WEEK.
[1:46:29] MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A PLAN LIKE
[1:46:30] THERE'S OTHER WAYS THEN THAT WE
[1:46:32] CAN ACTIVATE FOLKS THAT IT'S
[1:46:34] NOT JUST A ONE OFF.
[1:46:34] AND I THINK THAT THAT WOULD
[1:46:36] ALSO HELP SUPPORT UM.
[1:46:38] THE THE LEVEL OF ENTHUSIASM.
[1:46:40] BECAUSE YOU KNOW, OF UM VOTING
[1:46:43] ISN'T SEXY IS NOT FUN LIKE AND
[1:46:45] WHO WANTS TO GO TURN UP AT A
[1:46:47] POLL?
[1:46:47] NOBODY REALLY UNLESS YOU KNOW
[1:46:48] WHAT WE CAN MAKE IT FUN.
[1:46:49] WE CAN MAKE IT FUN, RIGHT?
[1:46:51] SO WE SHOULD.
[1:46:52] AND YOU AND I HAVE.
[1:46:53] BEEN TO SOME OF YOUR YOUR
[1:46:54] ELECTION DAY PARTIES AND I I
[1:46:55] LOVE THEM BUT I.
[1:46:58] YOU KNOW UNTIL IN 2000.
[1:46:59] TO UM.
[1:47:01] COUNCIL MEMBERS.
[1:47:01] UH, YOU KNOW, GOING DOWN MEMORY
[1:47:04] LANE I USED TO WORK AT MTV AND
[1:47:06] I COVERED THE PRESIDENTIAL
[1:47:07] ELECTIONS BETWEEN GORE AND BUSH
[1:47:08] AND I GOT TO TRAVEL THE ENTIRE
[1:47:10] COUNTRY TRYING TO GET YOUNG
[1:47:12] PEOPLE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT
[1:47:14] VOTING.
[1:47:14] AND THAT WAS MY FIRST
[1:47:16] EXPERIENCE WITH WHY PEOPLE
[1:47:17] DON'T CARE.
[1:47:18] AND YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT,
[1:47:20] TRACY.
[1:47:20] PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THE
[1:47:22] CONNECTION THAT, UH, YOU KNOW,
[1:47:24] POLITICS HAS ON THEIR DAY TO
[1:47:26] DAY LIFE AND THAT WAS IN 2000
[1:47:28] AND THEN AFTER THAT I CAME BACK
[1:47:29] HOME AND THEN I INITIATED THIS
[1:47:31] INITIATIVE CALLED DETERMINED
[1:47:32] DIVAS WHERE WE INCENTIVIZE
[1:47:34] PEOPLE TO REGISTER TO VOTE AND
[1:47:36] WE MADE A CONTEST OUT OF IT.
[1:47:38] SO THE PEOPLE WHO REGISTERED
[1:47:39] THE MOST GOT, YOU KNOW, GIFT
[1:47:41] CARDS LIKE WE JUST TRY TO MAKE
[1:47:42] IT AS FUN AS POSSIBLE.
[1:47:43] BUT THE AT THE END OF THE DAY.
[1:47:46] PEOPLE AREN'T.
[1:47:47] VOTING BECAUSE THEY JUST
[1:47:48] DON'T SEE THEMSELVES REFLECTED
[1:47:50] IN THE CONVERSATION.
[1:47:51] AND I THINK THAT THAT'S ALSO ON
[1:47:54] THE ELECTEDS AND THE CANDIDATES
[1:47:56] THAT ARE RUNNING FOR THEM TO
[1:47:57] UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ALSO HAVE
[1:47:59] A ROLE TO PLAY.
[1:48:00] IT CAN'T JUST BE CITY
[1:48:01] GOVERNMENT AND AND THE.
[1:48:02] NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT
[1:48:03] THERE IS A ROLE FOR EVERYONE TO
[1:48:05] PLAY AND GETTING PEOPLE.
[1:48:06] ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THAT.
[1:48:07] AND I LOOK.
[1:48:08] FORWARD.
[1:48:09] TO WORKING IN COLLABORATION
[1:48:09] WITH YOU ALL TO DO JUST THAT.
[1:48:11] THANK YOU.
[1:48:14] UM THANK YOU TO THIS REALLY
[1:48:15] WONDERFUL PANEL FOR YOUR
[1:48:17] INSIGHTS AND FOR ALL YOU DO TO
[1:48:18] UPHOLD DEMOCRACY AND TO MAKE
[1:48:19] SURE DEMOCRACY IS ACCESSIBLE TO
[1:48:21] THOSE.
[1:48:21] WHO HAVE.
[1:48:22] TOO OFTEN BEEN FORGOTTEN BY
[1:48:23] OUR SYSTEMS UM, INTENTIONALLY
[1:48:26] SO UH, FOLKS WHO ARE WORKING
[1:48:27] CLASS TOO OFTEN OUR BLACK AND
[1:48:29] BROWN VOTERS VOTERS OF COLOR
[1:48:31] LIKE COUNCIL MEDIA STATED THOSE
[1:48:32] WITH LOW LITERACY RATES.
[1:48:34] WE WANT TO THINK ABOUT HOW
[1:48:35] WE'RE BRINGING EVERYBODY INTO
[1:48:37] THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND THE
[1:48:39] ADVICE THAT YOU GAVE US AND THE
[1:48:40] ADVICE THAT YOU'VE GIVEN TO UH
[1:48:42] ,THE CITY I THINK WILL BE
[1:48:43] REALLY WELL TAKEN.
[1:48:44] UH, YES.
[1:48:45] UM, QUESTION FOR US THAT WE CAN
[1:48:46] HAVE ELECTION DAY VOTER
[1:48:47] REGISTRATION SO WE KNOW THAT
[1:48:49] THIS IS YOUR BEEN LIKE YOUR
[1:48:50] LIFE'S WORK ESPECIALLY WITH
[1:48:51] MASS VOTER TABLE.
[1:48:52] SO WE APPRECIATE YOU UM, AND
[1:48:54] LET US KNOW THAT WE HAVE A
[1:48:56] RESOLUTION THAT I ENTERED AND
[1:48:58] WE'LL BE VOTING ON GOD WILLING
[1:49:00] NEXT, UH, WEDNESDAY.
[1:49:02] UH, BUT WE'LL LET THIS BODY
[1:49:03] KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO TO FURTHER
[1:49:06] STRENGTHEN WHAT NEEDS TO BE
[1:49:07] DONE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET A
[1:49:08] YES.
[1:49:08] UM, QUESTION FOR UM THANK YOU
[1:49:11] TO TRACY AND ROSEANNE, UH, WHO
[1:49:13] ARE ALSO HERE WITH US VIA
[1:49:14] VIDEO.
[1:49:15] WE APPRECIATE YOUR TESTIMONY.
[1:49:16] UH, WE ARE NOW GOING TO
[1:49:18] TRANSITION TO THE
[1:49:18] ADMINISTRATION PANEL SO YOU ALL
[1:49:20] ARE RELIEVED, BUT FEEL FREE TO
[1:49:21] STICK AROUND AND HEAR.
[1:49:23] FROM.
[1:49:23] THE ADMINISTRATION.
[1:49:24] UH, LET ME TURN TO CENTER STAFF
[1:49:26] TO SEE IF WE HAVE ANYONE SIGNED
[1:49:27] UP FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
[1:49:29] AND WE.
[1:49:30] DON'T HAVE WE WE HAVE ONE
[1:49:31] PERSON HERE.
[1:49:32] FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY OR
[1:49:33] DURING THE TRANSITION.
[1:49:34] ALAN.
[1:49:34] UH, I I KNOW HIS NAME SO HE CAN
[1:49:36] ALAN TANNER, IF YOU COULD
[1:49:38] PLEASE COME UP TO THE MIC.
[1:49:39] YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.
[1:49:41] PLEASE IDENTIFY YOUR.
[1:49:42] NAME WHERE.
[1:49:43] YOU'RE FROM AND YOU HAVE TWO
[1:49:44] MINUTES FOR TESTIMONY.
[1:49:45] CERTAINLY.
[1:49:46] GIVE ME JUST ONE MOMENT.
[1:49:49] OKAY.
[1:49:49] THANK YOU.
[1:49:59] PERFECT.
[1:50:09] HELLO.
[1:50:10] UM, MY NAME IS ALAN TANNER.
[1:50:13] UM, AND I AM HERE TESTIFYING IN
[1:50:16] FAVOR OF I BELIEVE IT'S STUCK
[1:50:17] AT NUMBER 1805.
[1:50:21] OKAY.
[1:50:22] UH, GOOD MORNING.
[1:50:23] MEMBERS OF THE BOSTON CITY
[1:50:26] COUNCIL AND ALL WHO ARE PRESENT
[1:50:27] IN THIS CHAMBER TODAY.
[1:50:29] I TESTIFY TODAY AS A FORMER
[1:50:32] VOTER ENGAGEMENT ORGANIZER AND
[1:50:34] ACTIVELY ENGAGED RESIDENT
[1:50:35] OF THE CITY OF BOSTON.
[1:50:37] I STAND IN FAVOR OF SAME DAY
[1:50:38] VOTER REGISTRATION AS I BELIEVE
[1:50:41] THIS IS A CRITICAL TOOL IN THE
[1:50:44] TOOLBOX TO INCREASE VOTER
[1:50:45] TURNOUT IN OUR ELECTIONS BY
[1:50:48] ELIMINATING THE BUREAUCRATIC
[1:50:49] HURDLE OF REGISTRATION
[1:50:51] DEADLINES, THEREBY CREATING A
[1:50:53] MORE ACCESSIBLE ELECTION
[1:50:55] SYSTEM.
[1:50:55] THIS ALSO ALLOWS BUSY
[1:50:57] PROFESSIONALS WHO DO NOT HAVE
[1:51:01] UM TIME.
[1:51:02] TO DUE TO THE ONE.
[1:51:03] SESSION UM TO FILL OUT LOTS
[1:51:05] OF PAPERWORK TO SEND THINGS
[1:51:07] BACK UM OR STRUGGLE TO REMEMBER
[1:51:10] DEADLINES OR ELECTIONS BECAUSE
[1:51:11] THEY HAVE MANY OTHER DEADLINES
[1:51:13] OR OTHER MATTERS THEY ARE
[1:51:15] KEEPING IN THEIR HEAD ALSO THIS
[1:51:17] OPENS THE DOOR FOR THOSE WHO
[1:51:18] MAY CHANGE THEIR MIND AT THE
[1:51:20] LAST MINUTE ABOUT WHETHER THEY
[1:51:22] WANT TO VOTE OR NOT.
[1:51:23] AND FOR NEW VOTERS THAT ARE
[1:51:25] UNFAMILIAR WITH THE SYSTEM NOW
[1:51:27] THIS IS ONE LESS CHALLENGE THEY
[1:51:29] WILL NEED TO FACE.
[1:51:30] I BELIEVE THAT THIS MEASURE
[1:51:32] SHOULD PASS IF WE TRULY WANT
[1:51:34] MORE REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY
[1:51:36] AND A MORE ACCESSIBLE ELECTION
[1:51:38] SYSTEM AN ELECTION SYSTEM THAT
[1:51:41] IS INVITING TO NOT DISSUASIVE
[1:51:43] WITH A DEADLINE AFTER DEADLINE
[1:51:45] .
[1:51:45] I ALSO BELIEVE THAT INCREASING
[1:51:47] VOTER TURNOUT IS HELPFUL TO
[1:51:49] CANDIDATES FOR ANY OFFICE
[1:51:50] BECAUSE IT INCREASES THE NUMBER
[1:51:52] OF VOTERS THAT WILL ACTUALLY BE
[1:51:53] VOTING, THEREBY CREATING THE
[1:51:56] AFOREMENTIONED MORE
[1:51:56] REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY.
[1:51:58] THIS MEASURE WOULD ALSO HELP
[1:51:59] THE BUSY MOTHER WHO HAS TO GET
[1:52:01] HER KIDS OFF TO SCHOOL AND GET
[1:52:03] HERSELF TO WORK BEFORE NEEDING
[1:52:05] TO BE HOME BEFORE THE KIDS GET
[1:52:07] HOME AND START PREPARING DINNER
[1:52:09] UM, LEAVING LITTLE TIME FOR
[1:52:11] VOTING ON SUCH A BUSY DAY.
[1:52:13] THIS ACT HAS GREAT POTENTIAL
[1:52:15] AND SHOULD PASS THIS BODY
[1:52:16] FAVORABLY.
[1:52:18] UM YEAH I HAVE TOO MUCH MORE TO
[1:52:21] GO SO I WILL HAVE WHAT I HAVE
[1:52:23] MORE LIKE.
[1:52:24] A LOT MORE TO GO.
[1:52:25] SO I'LL GIVE YOU ANOTHER TWO
[1:52:27] MINUTES.
[1:52:27] UH, JUST BECAUSE YOU SINCE
[1:52:28] YOU'RE THE ONLY PERSON HAVE FOR
[1:52:29] PUBLIC TESTIMONY BUT THEN WE WE
[1:52:30] WILL TURN TO SO YOU CAN
[1:52:31] CONTINUE.
[1:52:32] THANK YOU.
[1:52:32] MORE MINUTES.
[1:52:33] ALL RIGHT.
[1:52:33] THANK YOU.
[1:52:34] I ALSO BELIEVE THAT BY
[1:52:36] INCREASING VOTER TURNOUT THIS
[1:52:39] IS HELPFUL TO CANDIDATES FOR
[1:52:40] ANY OFFICE BECAUSE IT INCREASES
[1:52:41] THE NUMBER OF VOTERS THAT WILL
[1:52:44] ACTUALLY BE VOTING, THEREBY
[1:52:46] CREATING THE AFOREMENTIONED
[1:52:47] MORE REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY.
[1:52:48] THIS MEASURE WOULD OH, I
[1:52:50] ALREADY WENT THROUGH THAT TO
[1:52:51] ADDRESS THE OPPOSITION ON THIS
[1:52:53] BALLOT MEASURE AND THE
[1:52:55] MASSACHUSETTS UM WHO IS THE
[1:52:57] MASSACHUSETTS REPUBLICAN PARTY
[1:52:58] .
[1:52:59] UM, THESE ARGUMENTS MADE ABOUT
[1:53:01] ELECTION SECURITY ARE THE SAME
[1:53:03] TYPE OF ARGUMENT SEEN WHEN THE
[1:53:05] CURRENT FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION
[1:53:07] TRIED TO ELIMINATE OR DISSUADE
[1:53:08] MAIL IN VOTING DUE TO SO-CALLED
[1:53:11] SECURITY CONCERNS.
[1:53:12] THIS RHETORIC ONLY UNDERMINES
[1:53:14] OUR DEMOCRACY AND
[1:53:16] DISENFRANCHIZES VOTERS.
[1:53:17] THIS DOES NOT LEAVE ROOM FOR
[1:53:19] PEOPLE WHO DO NOT FIT UM INTO
[1:53:23] THE CATEGORY OF FRAUD OR
[1:53:25] GENERALLY TRYING TO TAKE PART
[1:53:27] IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.
[1:53:29] IF YOU WOULD REVIEW YOUR RED
[1:53:31] BOOKLET ISSUED BY THE SECRETARY
[1:53:32] OF THE COMMONWEALTH
[1:53:34] OF MASSACHUSETTS, YOU WOULD SEE
[1:53:35] THAT THERE ARE IN FACT SECURITY
[1:53:37] MEASURES IN PLACE SUCH AS
[1:53:39] DOCUMENT CERTIFICATION
[1:53:41] OF CLAIMED FACTS REGARDING
[1:53:42] RESIDENCE FOR THOSE LOOKING TO
[1:53:44] CHANGE THEIR VOTING ADDRESS ON
[1:53:45] ELECTION DAY AND ALSO SWORN
[1:53:47] STATEMENTS AFFIDAVITS UNDER THE
[1:53:49] STRICT FELONY UM PENALTIES FOR
[1:53:52] MISINFORMATION.
[1:53:53] LET US PASS A QUESTION FOR AN
[1:53:55] ADVANCE THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
[1:53:57] .
[1:53:57] LET'S STAND AGAINST THE
[1:53:58] RHETORIC THAT TRIES TO TAKE
[1:53:59] AWAY OPPORTUNITIES TO
[1:54:01] PARTICIPATE IN OUR DEMOCRATIC
[1:54:02] SYSTEM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY,
[1:54:04] EVEN IN PLACES WHERE WE WOULD
[1:54:06] LEAST EXPECT SUCH RHETORIC.
[1:54:08] THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
[1:54:09] TO SPEAK ON THIS MATTER TODAY.
[1:54:11] I YIELD THIS TIME.
[1:54:12] THANK YOU ALLAN AND THANK YOU
[1:54:13] FOR YOUR ADVOCACY.
[1:54:15] UM.
[1:54:15] AND.
[1:54:16] I ALSO BEFORE WE TURN OVER TO
[1:54:17] THIS PANEL, SOMETHING ELSE THAT
[1:54:19] MENTIONED AND THAT OTHERS
[1:54:20] MENTIONED IS THAT THE THE VERY
[1:54:21] THE FEAR ABOUT VOTER FRAUD AND
[1:54:23] HOW LOW INCIDENCES OF ANY FRAUD
[1:54:26] WHETHER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
[1:54:27] MASSACHUSETTS OR AROUND THE
[1:54:28] COUNTRY, HOW LOW IT IS AND AS
[1:54:31] YOU KNOW, SOMEONE WHO USED TO
[1:54:33] FIGHT AGAINST VOTER ID LAWS
[1:54:35] BECAUSE.
[1:54:38] BECAUSE WE KNEW THAT THEY WERE
[1:54:39] MORE OF AN INTIMIDATION AND A
[1:54:40] CHILLING TACTIC THAN THEY WERE
[1:54:42] ONE ABOUT VOTER FRAUD.
[1:54:43] I JUST WANTED TO THANK EVERYONE
[1:54:44] FOR REITERATING HOW, UM,
[1:54:47] DAMAGING IT IS WHEN WE PUT THAT
[1:54:48] LANGUAGE OUT INTO UM INTO OUR
[1:54:51] DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.
[1:54:52] SO THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR
[1:54:53] TESTIFYING.
[1:54:53] I'M NOW GOING TO TURN IT OVER
[1:54:55] TO THIS ESTEEM PANEL WHICH IS
[1:54:57] OUR ADMINISTRATION PANEL.
[1:54:58] WE HAVE KERRY JORDAN, NEWLY
[1:55:00] EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
[1:55:01] BOSTON ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT,
[1:55:03] PAUL CHUNG COMMISSIONER CITY
[1:55:04] RECORDS AND FORMER INTERIM
[1:55:06] DIRECTOR UM AND A MAN OF MANY
[1:55:09] HATS AND A MAN THAT WE ALL KNOW
[1:55:12] VERY DEARLY HERE.
[1:55:13] UH, SABINA PIEMONTE, HEAD
[1:55:15] ASSISTANT REGISTRAR OF VOTERS,
[1:55:16] BOSTON ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT.
[1:55:17] I'M NOW GOING TO TURN IT OVER
[1:55:18] FOR YOU FOR ANY PRESENTATION.
[1:55:20] UM, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
[1:55:24] THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCILOR.
[1:55:27] UH LOUIJEUNE.
[1:55:27] UH, WE WANT TO THANK THE CHAIR
[1:55:31] ,THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT,
[1:55:33] COUNCILOR WEBER AND
[1:55:35] COUNCILOR MCCARTHY.
[1:55:35] UH, UM, AND ALL THE MEMBERS
[1:55:38] OF THIS BODY.
[1:55:40] I REALLY NEEDED THIS HEARING.
[1:55:43] IT IS NOURISHING TO THE SOUL TO
[1:55:45] HEAR SUBSTANTIVE FACTUAL
[1:55:50] DISCUSSION ABOUT THE WAY THAT
[1:55:52] WE DO OUR CIVIC LIFE TOGETHER.
[1:55:54] AND SO I AM SO GRATEFUL TO AS
[1:55:56] VOTES TO THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN
[1:55:58] VOTERS, TO THE ACLU, TO LAWYERS
[1:56:01] FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND TO THIS
[1:56:02] BODY FOR THE KIND
[1:56:05] OF CONVERSATION THAT WE'RE
[1:56:06] HAVING TODAY BECAUSE TO ME IT
[1:56:09] PROVES THAT WHAT WE HAVE HERE
[1:56:11] IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR.
[1:56:14] SO MY DEEPEST GRATITUDE WE
[1:56:17] HAVE, UH, ELECTION COMMISSIONER
[1:56:20] JANET SLOVAN HERE WITH US
[1:56:21] TODAY.
[1:56:22] COMMISSIONER SLOVAN, THANK YOU
[1:56:24] FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
[1:56:25] UH, AND THANK YOU FOR BEING
[1:56:26] HERE AND TO OUR COMMISSIONERS
[1:56:28] WHO COULDN'T BE HERE.
[1:56:29] UM, WE HAVE OUR CHAIR ADAM
[1:56:31] CEDAR, UM, UH, REPUBLICAN
[1:56:33] MEMBER RACHEL KEMP AND UH,
[1:56:35] REPUBLICAN MEMBER UH, ELLEN
[1:56:37] ROONEY AS WELL.
[1:56:38] MY DEEP THANKS TO THEM AND
[1:56:41] ESPECIALLY TO UH, THE ELECTION
[1:56:43] DEPARTMENT STAFF WHO ENABLED
[1:56:48] 79,474 VOTERS TO VOTE UH, IN
[1:56:50] THE SEPTEMBER PRIMARY, WHO
[1:56:53] ANSWERED ALMOST 800 PHONE CALLS
[1:56:55] WITH A WAIT TIME OF LESS THAN
[1:56:58] 16 SECONDS.
[1:56:59] UM, WHO STAFFED AND ORGANIZED
[1:57:04] 275 PRECINCTS ALL ACROSS THE
[1:57:06] CITY.
[1:57:07] I AM SO DEEPLY PROUD OF THE
[1:57:09] WORK THAT WE DO EVERY DAY.
[1:57:11] UM, THESE ELECTION DEPARTMENT
[1:57:14] STAFF AND OUR 1700 POLL WORKERS
[1:57:16] ,UM, WORK TIRELESSLY.
[1:57:18] AND JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME
[1:57:20] PERSPECTIVE, THE ELECTION
[1:57:21] DEPARTMENT STAFF WORKED 50 DAYS
[1:57:23] STRAIGHT, UM, TO MAKE SURE THAT
[1:57:26] THESE ELECTIONS HAPPEN.
[1:57:27] THIS IS NOT, UH, AN
[1:57:29] ORGANIZATION THAT HAS A LOT
[1:57:31] OF SLACK.
[1:57:31] THESE ARE THE HARDEST WORKING
[1:57:33] PEOPLE I KNOW.
[1:57:35] SO MY GRATITUDE.
[1:57:37] UH, TO ALL THE ELECTION
[1:57:38] DEPARTMENT STAFF.
[1:57:40] UM, AND SABINO EXEMPLIFIES THAT
[1:57:42] .
[1:57:42] UM, SO, UH, WITH THAT I'M
[1:57:45] PLEASED TO BE HERE.
[1:57:47] UM, I WAS THE INTERIM ELECTION
[1:57:51] DIRECTOR.
[1:57:52] UM, KERRY IS THE NEW ELECTION
[1:57:54] DIRECTOR.
[1:57:55] UM, QUESTIONS ABOUT THE
[1:57:58] SEPTEMBER 1ST PRIMARY.
[1:57:59] I WILL DO MY BEST TO ANSWER THE
[1:58:01] QUESTIONS.
[1:58:01] UM, ABOUT OUR PREPARATIONS
[1:58:03] MOVING FORWARD, I WILL DEFER
[1:58:05] TO, UH, MR JORDAN AND
[1:58:08] MR COMMITTEE.
[1:58:09] UM, I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT
[1:58:13] YES, WE DID HAVE FEDERAL
[1:58:15] ELECTION MONITORS AND YES,
[1:58:18] THERE ARE CHALLENGES AND VERY
[1:58:20] LEGITIMATE FEARS AMONG BOTH THE
[1:58:23] VOTING PUBLIC AND OUR POLL
[1:58:25] WORKERS ABOUT THE STATE
[1:58:28] OF FEDERAL OVERSIGHT.
[1:58:29] BUT I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE
[1:58:31] THAT OUR VOTERS KNOW THAT IF
[1:58:35] YOU BELIEVE BAD ACTORS ARE
[1:58:37] TRYING TO DISENFRANCHIZE YOU
[1:58:39] FROM VOTING, THEN NOT VOTING
[1:58:42] ACCOMPLISHES THOSE ENDS.
[1:58:44] SO I WOULD REQUEST THE
[1:58:46] ASSISTANCE OF THIS COUNCIL.
[1:58:48] I WOULD ENCOURAGE VOTERS TO
[1:58:51] VOTE AND WE HAVE TWO WEEKS
[1:58:53] OF EARLY VOTING STARTING
[1:58:55] OCTOBER 17TH.
[1:58:55] VOTE EARLY.
[1:58:57] YOU CAN VOTE BY MAIL.
[1:58:58] WE HAVE CITY OPERATED LOCKED
[1:59:02] DROPBOXES AND THERE'S A MAP ON
[1:59:03] OUR WEBSITE IN EVERY
[1:59:05] NEIGHBORHOOD.
[1:59:06] UM SO IF YOU DON'T TRUST THE
[1:59:09] USPS WE PICK THOSE UP.
[1:59:11] UM AND THEN ELECTION DAY AS
[1:59:13] WELL.
[1:59:14] UM, THERE'S A LOT TO TALK ABOUT
[1:59:17] OPERATIONALLY AND UM, I JUST
[1:59:19] WANT TO MAKE A QUICK NOTE FOR
[1:59:21] THIS BODY THE BUDGET THAT WE
[1:59:25] DECIDE SOON IT'S COMING UP WILL
[1:59:28] BE THE BUDGET THAT TAKES US
[1:59:30] THROUGH THE BEGINNING OF THE
[1:59:32] PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES IN 2028
[1:59:34] .
[1:59:35] AND SO AS WE TALK ABOUT
[1:59:37] ELECTION PREPARATIONS AND THE
[1:59:39] THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING TO
[1:59:40] TRAIN POLL WORKERS TO HIRE
[1:59:41] STAFF TO MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES,
[1:59:44] WE WILL NEED YOUR HELP BECAUSE
[1:59:46] WE HAVE TO LAY THE FOUNDATIONS
[1:59:47] NOW IN ORDER TO BE PREPARED FOR
[1:59:51] 2028 AS UH, FAR OFF AS THAT MAY
[1:59:54] SOUND.
[1:59:54] SO WITH THAT I THANK YOU AND,
[1:59:57] UM, CHAIR BACK TO YOU.
[1:59:59] OKAY.
[2:00:00] WELL THANK YOU.
[2:00:01] UM, THANK YOU TO, UH, YOU ALL
[2:00:04] FOR BEING HERE.
[2:00:05] I MY FIRST QUESTION IS THAT THE
[2:00:07] DEPARTMENT REMAINS SUBJECT TO
[2:00:09] THE SECRETARY.
[2:00:10] SECRETARY GALVIN'S FEBRUARY
[2:00:11] 2025.
[2:00:11] ORDER, ORDER!
[2:00:13] UM, WHAT HAS MICHAEL SULLIVAN
[2:00:16] REVIEWED OR APPROVED FOR
[2:00:17] NOVEMBER?
[2:00:17] WHICH REQUIREMENTS ARE FULLY
[2:00:18] MET AND ARE THERE UNRESOLVED
[2:00:19] FINDINGS OR CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
[2:00:21] ?
[2:00:21] AND, UH, WHEN WILL THE
[2:00:24] SECRETARY OF STATE'S ORDER
[2:00:26] TERMINATE?
[2:00:28] SO WE HAVEN'T HAD THE
[2:00:29] CONVERSATION WITH THE SECRETARY
[2:00:30] OF THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE YET,
[2:00:32] BUT THEY HAVE BEEN VERY ENGAGED
[2:00:34] WITH US, UH, INCLUDING THE
[2:00:36] SECRETARY'S DESIGNEE.
[2:00:38] SO WE HAVE UH, RUNNING DIALOG
[2:00:40] WITH UM KERRY AND I WERE AT A
[2:00:42] TRAINING UM, HOSTED BY THE
[2:00:44] SECRETARY'S OFFICE SAID THIS
[2:00:46] WEEK LAST WEEK LAST WEEK.
[2:00:48] UM AND SO WE TALK WITH THEM
[2:00:50] VERY REGULARLY.
[2:00:51] THEY WERE VERY INVOLVED IN
[2:00:53] MEETING WITH DEPARTMENT
[2:00:55] OF JUSTICE.
[2:00:55] AND SO WE PLAN TO HOLD A VERY
[2:00:59] SUCCESSFUL ELECTION IN NOVEMBER
[2:01:02] AND THEN WE WILL REVISIT THAT
[2:01:04] CONVERSATION, UH, WITH OUR
[2:01:05] PARTNERS AT THE STATE.
[2:01:06] THANK YOU.
[2:01:07] WE LISTENED TO THE EARLIER
[2:01:08] PANEL TALK ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY
[2:01:09] ISSUES, TALK ABOUT SIGNAGE
[2:01:10] ISSUES AFTER THE SEPTEMBER
[2:01:12] PRIMARY.
[2:01:13] WHAT DID THE INCIDENTS LOG SHOW
[2:01:16] BY PRECINCT AND CATEGORY?
[2:01:19] SO I DON'T HAVE EVERY DETAIL IN
[2:01:22] FRONT OF ME BUT WE ARE
[2:01:24] CERTAINLY, UH, EXCITED TO WORK
[2:01:26] WITH OUR PARTNERS TO ADDRESS
[2:01:28] ANY POTENTIAL ISSUES.
[2:01:29] I WOULD SAY AND I THINK I'M A
[2:01:31] LITTLE BIASED BUT OVERALL WE
[2:01:33] HAD A VERY SMOOTH ELECTION.
[2:01:36] OKAY.
[2:01:37] UM WELL I GUESS I'LL ASK THE
[2:01:39] QUESTION MORE DIRECTLY.
[2:01:40] WE HEARD FROM THE PRIOR PANEL
[2:01:41] ABOUT HOW WE CAN IMPROVE UPON
[2:01:44] ACCESSIBILITY WHEN IT COMES TO
[2:01:45] SIGNAGE.
[2:01:46] UH, WHEN IT COMES TO
[2:01:47] INFORMATION ABOUT ASSISTANCE AT
[2:01:49] AT POLLING LOCATIONS, IS THAT
[2:01:50] SOMETHING THAT WE'RE READY TO
[2:01:51] IMPLEMENT AND DO?
[2:01:54] WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO WORK
[2:01:55] WITH YOU, COUNCILOR AND OTHERS
[2:01:58] TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ALL OF OUR
[2:02:00] POLLING PLACES ARE ACCESSIBLE
[2:02:02] AS POSSIBLE AND THAT WE IMPROVE
[2:02:03] OUR SIGNAGE.
[2:02:05] AND WHAT WILL WE BE DOING?
[2:02:06] ARE WE DOING ANYTHING
[2:02:07] DIFFERENTLY?
[2:02:07] YOU KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT THE
[2:02:09] SANDWICH.
[2:02:09] BOARDS WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO?
[2:02:10] UH, BILLBOARDS MORE UH,
[2:02:13] ADVERTISEMENTS ON THE RADIO.
[2:02:14] WHAT ELSE ARE WE THINKING ABOUT
[2:02:15] DOING TO INCREASE VOTER
[2:02:16] ENGAGEMENT AND VOTER TURNOUT?
[2:02:18] UH, KERRY JORDAN EXECUTIVE
[2:02:20] DIRECTOR, ELECTION DEPARTMENT.
[2:02:21] I'M JUST EXCITED TO SHARE THAT
[2:02:23] THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN
[2:02:24] UNDERGOING, UM, A CREATIVE
[2:02:25] REBRANDING JUST SO THAT OUR
[2:02:26] MATERIALS STAND OUT A LOT MORE
[2:02:28] SO THEY DO FEATURE SOME MORE
[2:02:29] ORANGES THAT THEY, UM, YOU
[2:02:31] KNOW, ARE ALIGNED WITH THE CITY
[2:02:33] BLUES.
[2:02:34] UM, SO THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS
[2:02:35] THAT WE'RE PUTTING UP IN THE IN
[2:02:36] THE DIFFERENT UM, STREET
[2:02:37] FURNITURE.
[2:02:38] UM, I THINK THEY'RE JUST
[2:02:39] GETTING APPROVED WITHIN THESE
[2:02:40] DAYS.
[2:02:41] UM, BUT WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO
[2:02:42] MAKE SURE OUR WEBSITE IS
[2:02:43] ACCURATE IS UP TO DATE.
[2:02:45] UM, SO SHOUT OUT TO OUR
[2:02:47] CREATIVE TEAM.
[2:02:47] SHOUT OUT TO OUR UM, YOU KNOW,
[2:02:49] OUR COMMUNICATIONS IAN FLOOD
[2:02:51] AND ALL THE WORK THAT HE DOES
[2:02:52] TO MAKE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW,
[2:02:53] WE'RE GETTING THE RIGHT
[2:02:54] MESSAGES OUT TO THE COMMUNITY.
[2:02:55] WE'RE ABSORBING THE MATERIALS.
[2:02:57] THE DEPARTMENT'S BEEN OPEN TO
[2:02:58] ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IN MY
[2:03:00] THREE WEEKS OF BEING THERE.
[2:03:01] IT'S JUST BEEN A GREAT
[2:03:02] OPPORTUNITY TO KIND OF SEE A
[2:03:04] DIFFERENT SIDE OF THIS BUILDING
[2:03:05] AND HOW MANY DEPARTMENTS WITHIN
[2:03:07] THIS BUILDING COME TOGETHER TO
[2:03:08] MAKE SURE THAT THEY SUPPORT A
[2:03:10] SUCCESSFUL ELECTION OPERATION?
[2:03:11] UM, ONE OF THE WAYS WE DO THAT
[2:03:13] IS WITH THE PRE-MEETING THAT
[2:03:14] BRINGS IN ALL THE OPERATIONAL
[2:03:15] STAKEHOLDERS BRINGS IN BRINGS
[2:03:17] IN BISCHOFF WHO MAKES SURE WE
[2:03:18] TALK TO THOSE FACILITY
[2:03:19] DEPARTMENTS TO MAKE SURE THE
[2:03:20] DOORS ARE OPEN, THE LIGHTS ARE
[2:03:21] RUNG, THE HEAT'S ON, THE AREA'S
[2:03:23] READY FOR UM ELECTION DAY.
[2:03:25] SO I THINK THE I'M LEARNING HOW
[2:03:26] PROACTIVE THIS DEPARTMENT IS.
[2:03:28] UM I'M HAPPY TO DEMYSTIFY THAT.
[2:03:30] IT'S A TWO DAY OPERATION FOR
[2:03:32] THE WHOLE YEAR.
[2:03:32] NOT TRUE.
[2:03:33] THE TEAM HAS BEEN WORKING
[2:03:35] NONSTOP CRANKING EVERY DAY I
[2:03:36] COME IN FOLKS ARE HEAD DOWN
[2:03:38] GETTING THE WORK DONE.
[2:03:39] SO EXCITED TO JOIN THAT TEAM
[2:03:40] AND UM, UPLIFT THE FEAR AND
[2:03:42] SAFE ELECTIONS THAT THE CITY
[2:03:43] DOES.
[2:03:44] THANK YOU.
[2:03:44] AND I ONE OF THE THINGS THAT
[2:03:46] I SAY AND THAT I WAS HAPPY TO
[2:03:47] SUPPORT IS THAT, YOU KNOW.
[2:03:49] ELECTRONIC POLL BOOKS ARE NOW
[2:03:50] THE NORM AT ALL OF OUR POLLING
[2:03:51] LOCATIONS AND I WAS VERY
[2:03:52] EXCITED AND VERY EXCITED TO SEE
[2:03:53] HOW SEAMLESSLY IT'S WORKING.
[2:03:54] I'M TRYING TO GET IN ONE MORE
[2:03:56] QUESTION.
[2:03:56] UM, IN 2024, THE ISSUE THAT WE
[2:03:58] SAW UM THAT ELECTION THAT LED
[2:04:00] TO BALLOT SHORTAGES, THE DOUBLE
[2:04:02] SUBTRACTION IN THE BALLOT
[2:04:03] FORMULA CONTRIBUTED TO THEM IS
[2:04:05] IS THAT 100% OF REGISTERED
[2:04:07] VOTERS REDISTRIBUTION POLICY IN
[2:04:08] FORCE IN EVERY PRECINCT IN
[2:04:09] EVERY BALLOT CARD THIS
[2:04:11] NOVEMBER?
[2:04:12] YES, SIR.
[2:04:13] OKAY.
[2:04:13] CAN YOU CAN YOU ELABORATE ON
[2:04:15] THAT?
[2:04:16] ABSOLUTELY.
[2:04:17] UM, THERE'S AND I.
[2:04:18] THINK SHERYL ALSO TALKED ABOUT
[2:04:19] THIS TOO.
[2:04:19] ARE WE MAKING SURE THAT, YOU
[2:04:20] KNOW, THERE ARE NO PAGES
[2:04:21] MISSING ESPECIALLY WE HAVE YOU
[2:04:23] SAID THREE PAGES FOR THE VERY
[2:04:25] LONG NINE BALLOT QUESTIONS.
[2:04:28] ABSOLUTELY.
[2:04:28] UM, AND SABINO CAN GIVE YOU
[2:04:31] THE EXACT, UH, EXACT IN DETAIL
[2:04:34] BUT THERE IS A QUALITY CONTROL
[2:04:37] AND QUALITY ASSURANCE PROCESS
[2:04:39] THAT IS VERY RIGOROUS HAS BEEN
[2:04:40] APPROVED BY THE SECRETARY
[2:04:42] OF COMMONWEALTH.
[2:04:43] THERE ARE MULTIPLE SIGN OFFS AT
[2:04:45] MULTIPLE STAGES UH, TO ENSURE
[2:04:47] THAT WE COUNT AND WE RECOUNT
[2:04:50] THE NUMBER OF BALLOTS THAT GO
[2:04:51] INTO OUR BALLOT BOXES.
[2:04:53] UM, SO YOU KNOW, IF UH, IN THE
[2:04:57] DAYS AHEAD OF THE ELECTION, HE
[2:04:59] AND HIS TEAM UH, SPENT LONG
[2:05:02] HOURS, UH, MAKING SURE THAT THE
[2:05:04] INVENTORY OF BALLOTS THAT WE
[2:05:06] ORDERED IS THE INVENTORY
[2:05:07] OF BALLOTS THAT WE RECEIVE AS
[2:05:09] THE INVENTORY BALLOTS THAT WE
[2:05:10] PACK.
[2:05:10] UM, AND THEN THAT GOES ALL THE
[2:05:12] WAY TO THE POLL WORKERS WHO,
[2:05:14] UH, MAKE SURE THAT THE BALLOTS
[2:05:16] ARE THERE AS WELL.
[2:05:17] SO, YOU KNOW.
[2:05:18] YEAH, JUST TO ADD THAT THERE IS
[2:05:20] A PACKING SLIP THAT WE INCLUDE
[2:05:22] THAT.
[2:05:23] NOT ONLY DO WE SIGN OFF ON THE
[2:05:25] COMMISSIONER SIGNS OFF ON.
[2:05:26] AND THE POLL WORKERS.
[2:05:27] HAVE TO SIGN OFF ON SO
[2:05:29] IMMEDIATELY FIRST THING IN THE
[2:05:30] MORNING IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE
[2:05:32] AMOUNT THAT'S BEING ASSIGNED TO
[2:05:33] THEM THEY WILL CALL US UM TO
[2:05:35] IDENTIFY ANY SHORTAGES.
[2:05:36] THANK YOU.
[2:05:37] I HAVE A FEW ADDITIONAL
[2:05:38] QUESTIONS BUT I'LL TURN IT TO
[2:05:39] MY COLLEAGUES.
[2:05:39] UM, COUNCIL PRESIDENT BRITTON,
[2:05:41] YOU HAVE THE FLOOR IN SIX
[2:05:42] MINUTES.
[2:05:42] THANK YOU.
[2:05:43] GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL.
[2:05:43] THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[2:05:44] AND, UM.
[2:05:48] YES, UH, THANK YOU TO THE
[2:05:49] ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT.
[2:05:50] UH.
[2:05:51] FOR THEIR DILIGENT ATTENTION
[2:05:52] .
[2:05:52] THIS IS A HUGELY IMPORTANT
[2:05:54] ISSUE FOR US IN THE CITY.
[2:05:56] UM, JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO.
[2:05:59] UM.
[2:06:00] RECENT NATIONAL REPORTING ON
[2:06:01] HOW, UH, HIGHLIGHTED, UM, A
[2:06:04] SUPREME COURT DECISION ALLOWING
[2:06:05] STATES TO ACCESS A NEW.
[2:06:07] FEDERAL VOTER VERIFICATION
[2:06:08] SYSTEM THAT COMBINES
[2:06:09] CITIZENSHIP, SOCIAL SECURITY
[2:06:11] AND OTHER GOVERNMENT RECORDS TO
[2:06:12] IDENTIFY POTENTIALLY IN AN.
[2:06:15] ELIGIBLE VOTERS.
[2:06:17] UM, GIVEN BOSTON'S COMMITMENT
[2:06:19] TO BOTH ELECTION INTEGRITY AND
[2:06:20] VOTER ACCESS, CAN THE ELECTION
[2:06:22] COMMISSION EXPLAIN WHAT
[2:06:24] PROCEDURES IN PLACE TO ENSURE
[2:06:25] THAT VOTER REGISTRATION RECORDS
[2:06:27] ARE ACCURATE AND HOW DOES THE
[2:06:29] CITY PROTECT ELIGIBLE VOTERS
[2:06:31] FROM BEING IMPROPERLY
[2:06:33] CHALLENGED OR REMOVED FROM THE
[2:06:35] VOTER ROLLS?
[2:06:37] AND WHAT SAFEGUARDS EXIST TO
[2:06:39] ADDRESS ERRORS THAT WHEN
[2:06:41] GOVERNMENT DATABASES CONTAIN
[2:06:43] INACCURATE OR UPDATED
[2:06:45] INFORMATION?
[2:06:46] ARE WE.
[2:06:47] WE INTERSECTING WITH.
[2:06:49] THAT THAT PROCESS AT ALL?
[2:06:53] SO UM MOST OF OUR SYSTEMS ARE
[2:06:56] CONTROLLED BY THE SECRETARY
[2:06:57] OF STATE'S OFFICE.
[2:06:58] UM, UH, PEOPLE REGISTER ONLINE
[2:07:00] USING THEIR UM UH WEBSITE WHICH
[2:07:03] GOES TO A PROCESS OF VERIFYING
[2:07:06] UM VOTE RESIDENTS TO BECOME
[2:07:08] VOTERS.
[2:07:09] AND ONCE THEY PASS THAT
[2:07:10] PROCESS, IT COMES TO OUR QUEUE
[2:07:11] FOR US TO REGISTER TO VOTE.
[2:07:14] SO WE COMPLY WITH THE STATE
[2:07:16] REQUIREMENTS.
[2:07:17] UM, SO THE VOTER REGISTRATION
[2:07:20] IS PROCESS TO THE STATE UH
[2:07:23] VARIES SYSTEM.
[2:07:26] WE UH DO NOT IN THE ELECTION
[2:07:29] DEPARTMENT USE UH THE FEDERAL
[2:07:32] UH SAVES DATABASE.
[2:07:34] UM SO THERE IS NO FEDERAL
[2:07:36] INTERSECTION.
[2:07:37] UM, AS FAR AS OUR LOCAL OFFICE
[2:07:40] IS CONCERNED.
[2:07:41] BECAUSE UM AND THEN.
[2:07:43] ALSO THE OTHER ISSUE UM IT
[2:07:45] TALKS ABOUT MANPOWER AND THE
[2:07:46] GRIP TEAM THAT YOU HAVE YOU
[2:07:48] SAID 1700 POLL WORKERS.
[2:07:51] UM, WHAT'S THE CURRENT STATUS
[2:07:53] OF RECRUITMENT FOR POLL WORKERS
[2:07:54] AND ARE THERE VACANCIES THAT
[2:07:56] REMAINED STILL VACANT TO BE
[2:07:57] FILLED?
[2:07:58] AND TAKE.
[2:07:59] YOUR.
[2:07:59] MOMENT TO PITCH THE JOB UH, FOR
[2:08:02] WANTED POLL WORKERS?
[2:08:04] ABSOLUTELY.
[2:08:04] I NEED UM I THINK WE'RE
[2:08:05] THAT'S ONE OF OUR NUMBER ONE
[2:08:07] TASK.
[2:08:07] UM, WE HAVE A TRAINING SCHEDULE
[2:08:09] THAT STARTS MONDAY.
[2:08:09] THE FIRST WAVE OF, UM, UM, POLL
[2:08:12] WORKERS ARE GOING TO GO THROUGH
[2:08:13] THAT TRAINING.
[2:08:14] UM, AND I THINK WE'RE TRAINING
[2:08:15] ALL THE WAY UP UNTIL NOVEMBER.
[2:08:17] SO WE'RE DEFINITELY TRYING TO
[2:08:17] GET AS MANY FOLKS, UM, TO STAFF
[2:08:20] THE POLLS AS WE CAN.
[2:08:21] UM, SO ANY EFFORTS THAT CAN
[2:08:22] SUPPORT THAT CAUSE AND GET
[2:08:24] FOLKS TO SIGN UP ON BOSTON
[2:08:25] AMBASSADOR GOV SLASH ELECTIONS
[2:08:27] WOULD BE GREAT TO FOLKS TO TO
[2:08:29] SIGN.
[2:08:29] UP TO.
[2:08:30] AND CAN POLL WORKERS SIGN UP
[2:08:31] TO.
[2:08:32] WORK IN THEIR OWN DISTRICT OR
[2:08:33] ARE THEY SENT TO OTHER PLACES
[2:08:35] BECAUSE ONE OF THEIR IT'S AN
[2:08:36] EARLY MORNING START IF YOU
[2:08:38] DON'T HAVE YOUR OWN YOU KNOW,
[2:08:40] WHEELS ON TRANSPORTATION WE
[2:08:42] RELY ON PUBLIC TRANSIT OR
[2:08:43] WHATEVER THE HOW DOES IT WORK
[2:08:45] IN OTHER PARTICULAR AREAS IN
[2:08:47] THE IN THE CITY WHERE YOU STILL
[2:08:48] NEED MORE PEOPLE.
[2:08:51] SO WE'RE WE'RE OPEN TO TRYING
[2:08:53] OUR BEST TO STAFF FOLKS WHERE
[2:08:54] THERE'S NEED UM TO WHERE
[2:08:56] THEY'RE WHERE YOU KNOW WE'RE
[2:08:58] THEY'RE CLOSE TO HOME WHEN WE
[2:08:59] CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT WE'LL TRY
[2:09:00] TO MOVE THEM OUT JUST AS MUCH
[2:09:02] AS WE CAN BUT STILL KEEP THEM
[2:09:03] CLOSE TO HOME.
[2:09:04] UM, AND I KNOW YOUR DISTRICT
[2:09:06] ALSO IN BRIGHTON IS ONE OF THE
[2:09:08] AREAS THAT WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING
[2:09:09] TO TO BUILD POLL WORKERS.
[2:09:11] SO WE'RE WORKING WITH THE
[2:09:11] SCHOOLS IN THE AREAS UM, TO
[2:09:13] MAKE SURE WE PUT THAT WORD OUT,
[2:09:14] GET THAT MESSAGE OUT OKAY.
[2:09:16] WE GIVE IT A PLUG.
[2:09:18] UM AND HOW CAN WE AS.
[2:09:19] CITY COUNCIL TO STRENGTHEN
[2:09:21] ACCOUNTABILITY AROUND ELECTION
[2:09:22] ADMINISTRATION WHILE.
[2:09:23] MAINTAINING CONFIDENCE IN THE
[2:09:25] ELECTION OUTCOMES LIKE WHAT DO
[2:09:27] YOU NEED FROM US.
[2:09:28] TO SUPPORT YOU TO.
[2:09:30] DO YOUR VERY IMPORTANT JOB?
[2:09:32] I'LL START AND THEN POINT IT
[2:09:33] THIS WAY BUT UM POINTING FOLKS
[2:09:35] TO BOSTON.GOV WE TRY TO PUT ALL
[2:09:36] THE UM FACTUAL INFORMATION
[2:09:38] THERE.
[2:09:38] THE DEPARTMENT IS IS THEIR
[2:09:41] MISSION IS TO DELIVER FAIR AND
[2:09:43] SAFE ELECTIONS FOR EVERYONE
[2:09:44] WHO'S REGISTERED AND YOU KNOW
[2:09:47] WANTING TO CAST THEIR BALLOT.
[2:09:49] SO POINTING FOLKS THERE WE'RE
[2:09:50] TRYING TO KEEP THAT INFORMATION
[2:09:51] UP TO DATE.
[2:09:52] WE'RE ALSO IN THE COMMUNITY OUR
[2:09:54] UM COMMISSIONERS ARE OUT MAKING
[2:09:55] SURE THAT TABLING EVENTS
[2:09:57] ALONGSIDE THE DEPARTMENT.
[2:09:58] SO WHATEVER EFFORTS WE CAN DO
[2:10:00] IN OUR IN OUR SMALL BUT MIGHTY
[2:10:01] WORKFORCE, WE'RE DOING OUR BEST
[2:10:02] TO.
[2:10:03] YOU KNOW, PUT PEOPLE.
[2:10:04] IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO
[2:10:05] WHERE THE FACTS ARE AND WE GET
[2:10:06] SO MUCH FROM THE STATE
[2:10:07] INCLUDING THE RED BOOK.
[2:10:08] UM, SO WE CHECK THAT AND WE TRY
[2:10:10] TO, YOU KNOW, JUST POINT PEOPLE
[2:10:12] TO WHERE THE FACTS ARE.
[2:10:12] AND UM, THE OTHER THING.
[2:10:14] WE TALKED EARLIER ABOUT
[2:10:16] ACCESSIBILITY AND SIGNAGE.
[2:10:16] YOU JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT.
[2:10:18] VERY OFTEN ELECTION DAY FALLS
[2:10:19] ON THE FIRST TUESDAY OF THE
[2:10:20] MONTH, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE
[2:10:22] STREET CLEANING DAY AND ALLSTON
[2:10:24] BRIGHTON.
[2:10:24] AND PEOPLE GET TOLD WHEN THEY
[2:10:26] GO IN TO VOTE.
[2:10:27] SO UM.
[2:10:28] MAKE SURE THAT OWNERS
[2:10:30] COMMUNICATE AND ON ELECTION DAY
[2:10:32] WE WILL BE TOWING.
[2:10:34] IN THE VICINITY OF A.
[2:10:35] POLLING PLACE OR SOMETHING.
[2:10:36] THAT MIGHT BE HELPFUL AS WELL.
[2:10:39] UM, I'M GOING TO RUN FOR TIME.
[2:10:41] ERICA, YOU HAVE A MINUTE?
[2:10:42] IF YOU HAVE A MINUTE.
[2:10:43] OH, WOW.
[2:10:43] THIS IS INCREDIBLE.
[2:10:44] UM.
[2:10:45] JUST THINKING BIG PICTURE.
[2:10:46] AND HAVE YOU ANY OTHER OTHER
[2:10:49] ANTICIPATED CHALLENGES FOR THE
[2:10:51] UPCOMING ELECTION DAY?
[2:10:52] UH.
[2:10:53] TO IT'LL BE A NICE DAY, BUT
[2:10:55] ABSOLUTELY.
[2:10:56] THERE'S A THREE PAGE BALLOT AND
[2:10:57] IT'S DOUBLE SIDED.
[2:10:59] SO AS YOU KNOW, OUR CHECK-IN
[2:11:01] PROCESS IS MUCH MORE EFFICIENT
[2:11:02] NOW.
[2:11:04] UM, THANKS TO UH, THE
[2:11:06] ELECTRONIC POLL BOOKS THERE.
[2:11:07] BUT IF IT TAKES 30S TO CHECK
[2:11:10] IN, UM, BUT IT TAKES 30S TO
[2:11:13] FEED EACH PAGE INTO THE BALLOT
[2:11:15] BOX.
[2:11:15] UM, WE ARE ANTICIPATING THAT,
[2:11:18] UH, IT WILL BE A LONGER AND
[2:11:20] LENGTHIER PROCESS FOR PEOPLE TO
[2:11:22] VOTE IN PERSON.
[2:11:24] SO ON ELECTION NIGHT ESPECIALLY
[2:11:26] SO WE REALLY ENCOURAGE UM
[2:11:28] VOTERS TO VOTE EARLY UM, OR TO
[2:11:31] VOTE BY MAIL.
[2:11:32] AND WITH EARLY VOTING I THINK
[2:11:34] WE'RE HITTING NINE
[2:11:35] NEIGHBORHOODS UM FOR AN
[2:11:37] ADDITIONAL WEEKS OR TWO WEEKS
[2:11:39] OF EARLY VOTING.
[2:11:40] UM, AND SO WE'RE TRYING TO HIT
[2:11:41] AS MANY DISTRICTS AS WE CAN TO
[2:11:43] MAKE SURE VOTERS WE'RE COMING
[2:11:44] TO WHERE FOLKS CAN VOTE AHEAD
[2:11:46] OF TIME.
[2:11:46] YEAH.
[2:11:47] AND REALLY ENCOURAGING PEOPLE
[2:11:49] TO MAKE A PLAN EARLY VOTING
[2:11:51] SCRIPT GET IT DONE.
[2:11:53] UM.
[2:11:53] BUT ALSO MAKE A PLAN AND IF
[2:11:55] YOU HAVE TO VOTE ON ELECTION
[2:11:56] DAY MAKE SURE YOU YOU KNOW,
[2:11:59] HAVE A PLAN TO BE THERE IN GOOD
[2:12:00] TIME AND WORK IT.
[2:12:02] JUST DO IT.
[2:12:04] AND READ THE QUESTIONS IN
[2:12:05] ADVANCE.
[2:12:06] READ THE.
[2:12:06] QUESTIONS.
[2:12:07] AND SO SOME OF.
[2:12:08] THEM ARE INCREDIBLE.
[2:12:08] THEY'RE REALLY LONG AND COMPLEX
[2:12:10] .
[2:12:10] SO YEAH SO THAT'S.
[2:12:11] OUR HOMEWORK.
[2:12:12] YEAH THANK YOU I HAVE TO GO OFF
[2:12:14] TO ANOTHER MEETING BUT THANK
[2:12:15] YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE AND UH
[2:12:17] THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR.
[2:12:18] THANK YOU COUNCIL.
[2:12:19] THANK YOU.
[2:12:19] THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT
[2:12:20] BREADON AND THANK YOU TO THESE
[2:12:22] QUESTIONS.
[2:12:23] I WANT TO GIVE A BIG SHOUT OUT
[2:12:24] TO ED SHOEMAKER HERE FROM
[2:12:25] RANGERS, BOSTON RANGERS
[2:12:26] MASSACHUSETTS BOSTON RANGERS
[2:12:29] BOSTON.
[2:12:29] SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE
[2:12:31] WITH US.
[2:12:31] THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES
[2:12:32] COUNCIL HERE YOU HAVE THE FLOOR
[2:12:33] AND SIX MINUTES.
[2:12:35] 6 OR 7.
[2:12:36] WE HAD SEVEN THE FIRST TIME
[2:12:38] 575 AND NOW SIX.
[2:12:39] BUT IF.
[2:12:39] YOU NEED MORE.
[2:12:40] YOU'RE THE ONLY COUNSELOR.
[2:12:41] YOU CAN BE HERE UNTIL TOMORROW.
[2:12:44] HOW ABOUT THAT FOR A SECOND?
[2:12:46] WOW.
[2:12:49] OKAY.
[2:12:49] UM.
[2:12:50] SO IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL.
[2:12:51] THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
[2:12:53] AND CONGRATULATIONS, KERRY.
[2:12:56] UM, GIVEN YOUR.
[2:12:57] I.T WORK, UH, I AM GOING TO
[2:13:01] ASSUME THAT YOU'RE GOING TO
[2:13:02] BRING A LOT OF THAT ENERGY IN
[2:13:03] TERMS OF MODERATE MODERATE
[2:13:05] SEATING THE, UH, ELECTORAL
[2:13:09] PROCESS.
[2:13:09] SO LOOKING FORWARD TO ALL YOUR
[2:13:11] CREATIVITY IN THAT SPACE.
[2:13:12] UM, AGAIN, SABINA, IT'S ALWAYS
[2:13:14] GREAT TO SEE YOU AND, UM,
[2:13:17] WELCOME BACK.
[2:13:17] IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU,
[2:13:18] COMMISSIONER.
[2:13:19] SO REALLY QUICK I'M GOING TO
[2:13:20] START WITH SABINO.
[2:13:21] SABINO, HOW LONG.
[2:13:22] HAVE YOU BEEN HERE?
[2:13:23] TOO LONG.
[2:13:25] HOW MANY?
[2:13:26] NO SUCH THING.
[2:13:28] UM 34 YEARS.
[2:13:30] 34 YEARS AND OVER.
[2:13:32] YOUR OVER THE LAST YOU KNOW
[2:13:35] DECADES THAT YOU'VE BEEN HERE.
[2:13:38] CAN YOU TALK TO US ABOUT A TIME
[2:13:40] WHEN YOU FELT LIKE THE
[2:13:42] ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT.
[2:13:43] HAD IT RIGHT.
[2:13:44] AND THERE WEREN'T.
[2:13:45] A LOT OF HICCUPS?
[2:13:47] CAN YOU NAME THAT ERA?
[2:13:52] I FEEL THAT WAY BEFORE EVERY
[2:13:53] ELECTION.
[2:13:54] UM.
[2:13:55] WE TRY TO MAKE IT RIGHT AND
[2:13:57] DEAL WITH THE ISSUES THAT ARISE
[2:13:58] ON THE DAY OF THE ELECTION AS
[2:14:00] THEY COME TO US.
[2:14:01] BUT WE TRY TO PREPARE UM FOR
[2:14:03] EVERY ELECTION TO BE RIGHT.
[2:14:06] ALL RIGHT.
[2:14:06] AND SO LET ME ASK THAT
[2:14:07] DIFFERENTLY IN THE LAST FEW
[2:14:09] ELECTION CYCLES IN THE LAST YOU
[2:14:11] KNOW, DECADES WHICH DECADE
[2:14:14] WOULD YOU SAY I WILL NEVER WANT
[2:14:16] TO REPEAT THIS AGAIN.
[2:14:17] WAS THERE A TIME IN YOUR IN
[2:14:20] YOUR.
[2:14:22] JOB EXPERIENCE WHERE YOU LIKE
[2:14:27] OH I'M NEVER AGAIN?
[2:14:32] NO UM EVERY ELECTION IS A
[2:14:35] DIFFERENT CHALLENGE.
[2:14:35] MHM.
[2:14:36] UM AND I ENJOY COMING TO
[2:14:38] WORK EVERY SINGLE DAY TO TRY TO
[2:14:40] DEAL WITH THE CHALLENGES.
[2:14:42] UM EVERY ELECTION IS DIFFERENT
[2:14:44] AS YOU CAN SEE THIS IS THE
[2:14:45] FIRST TIME I'M DOING AN
[2:14:46] ELECTION WITH THREE BALLOT SO
[2:14:48] IT'S A CHALLENGE UNTO ITSELF.
[2:14:50] UM, BUT NO, THERE'S I ENJOY
[2:14:54] COMING TO WORK.
[2:14:54] EVERY DAY.
[2:14:55] I'M SORRY.
[2:14:55] CAN I JUST SAY.
[2:14:56] FIRST I'M DOING AN ELECTION
[2:14:57] WITH.
[2:14:58] THREE CARD BALLOT.
[2:15:00] OKAY.
[2:15:00] ALL RIGHT, SO YOU KNOW, SEE, I
[2:15:02] WAS TRYING TO, YOU KNOW, LINE
[2:15:03] YOU UP SO THAT YOU COULD ASK
[2:15:05] FOR MORE MONEY BUT YOU DIDN'T
[2:15:07] GO THERE.
[2:15:08] SO THAT'S WHY I KNOW.
[2:15:10] BUT I WAS HOPING YOU WOULD NAME
[2:15:11] SOME THINGS THAT I COULD BE
[2:15:13] LIKE ALL RIGHT, BUT YOU DIDN'T.
[2:15:15] IT'S ALL GOOD.
[2:15:16] SO NOW LET ME ASK THE QUESTION
[2:15:18] YOU HAD MENTIONED UM
[2:15:19] COMMISSIONER THAT UM IN 2028
[2:15:22] EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE GOING.
[2:15:23] TO HAVE TO DO TO.
[2:15:24] PREPARE FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL
[2:15:25] ELECTIONS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO
[2:15:26] LOOK TO THIS BODY TO HELP
[2:15:27] SUPPORT AND I'M GLAD THAT
[2:15:29] YOU'RE ASKING NOW BECAUSE
[2:15:30] THERE'S ALSO REDISTRICTING
[2:15:31] THAT'S GOING TO BE HAPPENING IN
[2:15:33] 2030.
[2:15:33] THERE'S A LOT HAPPENING ALL AT
[2:15:34] THE SAME TIME.
[2:15:35] AND SO I'M CURIOUS.
[2:15:38] IN ORDER FOR.
[2:15:39] THE TEAM AND KERRY PLEASE
[2:15:41] EVERYONE CAN ANSWER THIS
[2:15:42] QUESTION WHAT SHOULD WHAT WHAT
[2:15:45] WOULD A HEALTHY BUDGET LOOK
[2:15:46] LIKE SO THAT YOU CAN EXECUTE
[2:15:49] AGAINST THOSE DELIVERABLES?
[2:15:50] WHAT DO YOU NEED?
[2:15:53] RIGHT NOW WE'RE FOCUSED ON THE
[2:15:55] NOVEMBER ELECTIONS.
[2:15:58] WE OF COURSE WILL BE DEVELOPING
[2:15:59] A FULL BUDGET PROPOSAL AND WILL
[2:16:01] BE IN CONVERSATION WITH YOU
[2:16:04] EARLY.
[2:16:04] I THINK SOME OF THE THINGS THAT
[2:16:05] WE WOULD LOOK TOWARDS, UM, ARE
[2:16:08] TRAINING, OUTREACH SIGNAGE,
[2:16:11] LANGUAGE ACCESS, ACCESSIBILITY
[2:16:13] .
[2:16:14] UM AND SO WE WILL WORK WITH THE
[2:16:16] ADMINISTRATION, UM, AND THE
[2:16:18] COUNSELORS HERE TO MAKE SURE
[2:16:19] THAT WE PUT A SUBSTANTIVE
[2:16:21] PROPOSAL IN FRONT OF YOU.
[2:16:22] YEAH, THAT THAT THAT WOULD BE
[2:16:24] GREAT.
[2:16:24] I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO GET
[2:16:27] AHEAD OF THESE CONVERSATIONS.
[2:16:28] SO I THINK IT'S GOOD THAT
[2:16:29] YOU'RE ALREADY PLANTING THOSE
[2:16:31] SEEDS AND GETTING US TO START
[2:16:32] THINKING ABOUT HOW WE BUILD
[2:16:33] CAPACITY BECAUSE I ALWAYS
[2:16:34] BELIEVE WE CAN DO THIS ALL WE
[2:16:36] WANT.
[2:16:37] BUT IF ON THIS SIDE OF THE
[2:16:38] AISLE IF WE'RE NOT PROVIDING
[2:16:39] YOU ALL WITH THE RESOURCES THAT
[2:16:41] YOU NEED, IT'S JUST A WHOLE
[2:16:42] BUNCH OF JUST POLITICAL
[2:16:43] THEATER.
[2:16:44] WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS
[2:16:45] HAPPEN.
[2:16:46] BUT WHAT DID YOU DO TO ADVOCATE
[2:16:48] FOR THE FUNDS SO THAT THIS
[2:16:49] DEPARTMENT CAN ACTUALLY BE
[2:16:50] FULLY FUNCTIONING?
[2:16:51] AND SO.
[2:16:51] I THINK THAT IT'S REALLY
[2:16:52] IMPORTANT FOR US TO REALLY BE
[2:16:54] MINDFUL OF THE ROLE THAT WE
[2:16:55] PLAY IN SUPPORTING YOU ALL IN
[2:16:57] THAT UM I SEE I'M.
[2:17:00] YOU CAN GO I'M NOT GOING TO
[2:17:01] STOP YOU.
[2:17:02] SO UM.
[2:17:04] I AM CURIOUS THOUGH IN TERMS
[2:17:05] OF HOW THE DEPARTMENT
[2:17:08] INTERFACES WITH OTHER
[2:17:09] DEPARTMENTS.
[2:17:09] I'M THINKING ABOUT VHA.
[2:17:11] I'M THINKING ABOUT THE BOSTON
[2:17:12] PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION, THE
[2:17:14] BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS KIND
[2:17:15] OF HOW DO YOU SEE THAT
[2:17:17] COORDINATION THE OFFICE
[2:17:18] OF DIRECT UM ORGANIZING AND
[2:17:20] CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY
[2:17:23] UM ENGAGEMENT WHAT WHAT ROLE.
[2:17:26] DO YOU ALL PLAY IN INTERFACING
[2:17:28] WITH THOSE OTHER DEPARTMENTS?
[2:17:29] I'VE HAD THE GIFT OF BEING
[2:17:30] HERE GOING ON 20 YEARS AND I
[2:17:32] FEEL LIKE ALONG THE WAY I'VE
[2:17:34] JUST BEEN GATHERING PEOPLE
[2:17:35] RIGHT?
[2:17:36] I'VE BEEN A, UH A PERSON OF THE
[2:17:37] PEOPLE.
[2:17:38] SO ALONG THE JOURNEY I KEEP
[2:17:40] MEETING MORE PEOPLE WHO
[2:17:41] STRENGTHEN THE WORK THAT I GET
[2:17:42] TO DO.
[2:17:43] UM, AND IT'S EVEN MORE NOW UM,
[2:17:45] I THINK WE HAVE AN AMAZING
[2:17:46] TEAM.
[2:17:46] THE FOLKS THAT I'VE INHERITED
[2:17:48] TO WORK WITH REVIEW THE DATA.
[2:17:50] THEY'RE DIVING DEEP AND WE'RE
[2:17:51] MAKING DECISIONS BASED OFF
[2:17:52] OF THAT.
[2:17:53] SO THAT'S THAT'S PART OF IT.
[2:17:54] UM, BUT THE FOLKS WE WORK WITH
[2:17:56] ALSO HAVE A LOT OF HISTORY LIKE
[2:17:57] ME AND THEY HAVE A LOT
[2:17:58] OF CONNECTIONS AND WE'RE NOT
[2:17:59] AFRAID TO TO ASK FOR THOSE
[2:18:01] FAVORS AND GET ON FOLKS RADARS
[2:18:03] EARLY.
[2:18:03] SO WE'RE NOT SURPRISING THEM AT
[2:18:05] THE LAST MINUTE WHEN THESE ARE
[2:18:06] REQUESTS.
[2:18:07] UM, THIS THIS TEAM UM, HOSTED A
[2:18:09] TABLETOP EXERCISE UM, IN
[2:18:11] PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SECRETARY
[2:18:12] OF THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE.
[2:18:13] UM, AND THAT WAS JUST A GREAT
[2:18:14] OPPORTUNITY FOR ME EVEN FROM DO
[2:18:16] IT TO BE IN THE ROOM AND KIND
[2:18:18] OF WORK THROUGH SCENARIOS WITH
[2:18:19] OFFICE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
[2:18:20] LIKE FOLKS I PROBABLY NEVER
[2:18:21] WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF HAD A
[2:18:23] PART TO PLAY IN UM IN THE
[2:18:25] ELECTIONS PROCESS.
[2:18:25] UM, BUT THEN HEARING THIS IS
[2:18:27] SOMETHING THAT CAN ACTUALLY
[2:18:28] HAPPEN.
[2:18:28] WHAT WOULD THE CITY DO?
[2:18:30] WHO ARE THE PEOPLE WHO CALL THE
[2:18:31] SHOTS AND THE FOLKS WHO ARE UM
[2:18:33] THE FACILITY FACILITATORS
[2:18:35] CALLED US OUT TO MAKE SURE WE
[2:18:36] YOU KNOW, WE HAD THAT WE COULD
[2:18:37] IDENTIFY WHO IN THE ROOM WAS
[2:18:39] THE PERSON ACTUALLY AND SEND
[2:18:40] OUT AN EMAIL ON BEHALF OF THE
[2:18:42] ADMINISTRATION.
[2:18:43] SO UM, EXERCISES LIKE THAT WE
[2:18:44] WE WE EXPECT TO CONTINUE TO DO
[2:18:47] AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE
[2:18:48] KEEPING THAT ROLODEX ROLLING TO
[2:18:49] TO REOPEN THE RIGHT PEOPLE.
[2:18:50] SO YOU KNOW, I I LOVE THAT
[2:18:51] AND I ALWAYS I ALWAYS SAY THAT,
[2:18:52] YOU KNOW.
[2:18:53] ,WE'RE RESOURCE RICH POOR
[2:18:55] COORDINATION POOR AND I THINK
[2:18:56] THAT.
[2:18:56] THAT IS AN AREA.
[2:18:58] OF OPPORTUNITY TO KIND
[2:18:59] OF STRENGTHEN MORE THE
[2:19:00] COMMUNICATION FLOW THAT COMES
[2:19:02] OUT LIKE I THINK ABOUT THE
[2:19:03] BOSTON PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION
[2:19:04] AND SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY
[2:19:05] HEALTH CENTERS THEY DO INTAKES
[2:19:07] WHERE YOU KNOW, DO YOU FEEL
[2:19:08] SAFE AT HOME THAT THERE'S LOTS
[2:19:10] OF THINGS THAT YOU GET ASKED?
[2:19:11] THERE COULD BE ANOTHER QUESTION
[2:19:12] THAT YOU ASK ARE YOU REGISTERED
[2:19:14] TO VOTE?
[2:19:14] I MEAN THERE'S SO MANY LOW
[2:19:15] HANGING FRUIT AND WAYS THAT WE
[2:19:18] CAN REALLY STRENGTHEN CIVIC
[2:19:19] ENGAGEMENT AND MAKE IT THAT
[2:19:20] MAKE THAT.
[2:19:21] PART OF OUR.
[2:19:22] EVERYDAY CONVERSATION.
[2:19:23] THERE'S UM THERE'S SHELTERS UM
[2:19:27] GOODWILL.
[2:19:28] CAREER CENTERS.
[2:19:29] WHERE IF YOU'RE LOOKING.
[2:19:30] FOR.
[2:19:31] POLL WORKERS I KNOW THAT UM IF
[2:19:33] YOU ARE TRANSITIONING OUT
[2:19:34] OF DTA YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOME
[2:19:35] SORT OF UH WORK OR TRYING TO DO
[2:19:38] SOMETHING.
[2:19:39] SO THERE'S WAYS FOR YOU ALL TO
[2:19:41] LIKE TAP INTO SOME OF THE
[2:19:43] SHELTERS, UH, WORKING WITH
[2:19:46] GOODWILL EVEN IF IT'S JUST FOR
[2:19:48] A TEMPORARY UH, SCENARIO.
[2:19:50] UH, I THINK THAT THOSE ARE
[2:19:52] REALLY GOOD SPACES AND PLACES
[2:19:53] FOR OUTREACH AND AS WELL AS,
[2:19:56] UM, BARBERSHOPS AND HAIR SALONS
[2:19:57] THAT'S LIKE THE GOLDMINE WHEN
[2:19:59] YOU'RE GETTING YOUR HAIR DONE.
[2:20:00] LIKE, YOU KNOW, IT'S ELECTION
[2:20:02] DAY, YOU MAY BE PUTTING UP SOME
[2:20:04] SIGNAGE IN SOME OF THESE SPACES
[2:20:05] AND PLACES.
[2:20:06] I KNOW ALL THAT TAKES TIME
[2:20:07] MONEY IN ENERGY BUT I DO THINK
[2:20:10] THAT THE MORE INTENTIONAL WE
[2:20:11] ARE ABOUT THE OUTREACH, UM, THE
[2:20:14] MORE ENTHUSIASTIC PEOPLE WILL
[2:20:16] BE ABOUT GOING OUT TO VOTE
[2:20:17] BECAUSE EVERYWHERE THEY GO
[2:20:18] PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT IT AND
[2:20:19] I THINK THAT'S THE LEVEL
[2:20:21] OF LIKE ENGAGEMENT THAT I'D
[2:20:22] LIKE TO SEE HERE IN BOSTON.
[2:20:24] AND I THINK WE ALL PLAY A ROLE
[2:20:26] IN HELPING THAT HAPPEN.
[2:20:28] AND.
[2:20:30] MY TIME RIGHT NOW.
[2:20:32] COUNSELOR, IF ANYTHING.
[2:20:33] ELSE.
[2:20:34] I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT
[2:20:35] VERY QUICKLY THAT THERE IS UH,
[2:20:38] NO ONE BETTER TO WORK WITH THAN
[2:20:39] KERRY JORDAN.
[2:20:41] UM, SO I THINK HE WILL BE A
[2:20:43] FANTASTIC PARTNER.
[2:20:43] WE HAD 20 DEPARTMENTS SHOW UP
[2:20:46] TO OUR UM, TABLETOP EXERCISE TO
[2:20:49] PLAN AND COORDINATE.
[2:20:50] UM AND ALSO WE RECENTLY ADDED
[2:20:54] NATALIA BENITEZ PEREZ WHO IS
[2:20:55] OUR FORMER DIRECTOR OF CIVIC
[2:20:58] ORGANIZING TO OUR STAFF.
[2:20:59] AND SO WE WANT TO BE ENGAGED
[2:21:03] AND MAKE SURE THAT UM, WE ARE
[2:21:05] WORKING CLOSELY WITH AS MANY
[2:21:07] PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE IN THE
[2:21:08] COMMUNITY TO MAKE OUR ELECTIONS
[2:21:09] A SUCCESS.
[2:21:10] YEAH.
[2:21:10] AND AND I'M CURIOUS YOU KNOW
[2:21:14] WHAT I HAVE SEEN HERE.
[2:21:16] IN MY TIME AND I'M LEARNING A
[2:21:18] LOT AS I GO.
[2:21:19] IS THAT YOU WERE REALLY GOOD
[2:21:21] AT.
[2:21:21] SAYING ALL OF THE BAD.
[2:21:23] THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING.
[2:21:24] WE'RE GOOD AT THAT.
[2:21:26] UM, BUT THIS WOULD.
[2:21:27] BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO.
[2:21:28] TALK ABOUT ALL OF THE AMAZING
[2:21:29] THINGS THAT YOU I KNOW YOU
[2:21:30] WROTE YOU YOU KNOW, LISTED LOTS
[2:21:32] OF REALLY GREAT NUMBERS BUT
[2:21:34] WHAT WOULD YOU WANT PEOPLE TO
[2:21:35] KNOW ABOUT THE.
[2:21:36] ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT AND THE
[2:21:38] STAFF THAT.
[2:21:39] WORKS.
[2:21:39] THERE.
[2:21:40] NOT JUST YOUR.
[2:21:40] OUTPUTS AND THE THINGS THAT YOU
[2:21:41] DO BUT JUST.
[2:21:42] LIKE REAL STUFF.
[2:21:43] I MEAN THOSE.
[2:21:43] ARE REAL.
[2:21:44] THINGS BUT LIKE WHAT DO YOU
[2:21:45] WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT.
[2:21:46] YOUR TEAM?
[2:21:46] I'LL START IN JUST SAY THE
[2:21:48] PASSION.
[2:21:49] IT'S LIKE WORKING WITH THE
[2:21:51] COUNCIL TO START AND SEEING THE
[2:21:52] PASSION THAT YOU GUYS PUT INTO
[2:21:53] THE WORK THAT YOU DO, BUT THEN
[2:21:54] JUST GOING THROUGH THE LAYERS
[2:21:55] AND LEVELS OF THIS BUILDING AND
[2:21:56] ALSO SEEING THAT REFLECTED BACK
[2:21:57] OUT UM THE TRAINING TEAM, THE
[2:22:00] POLL WORKER RECRUITMENT TEAM
[2:22:01] LIKE EVERY INDIVIDUAL THAT I'VE
[2:22:03] HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK
[2:22:04] WITH ON ON THE SECOND FLOOR IN
[2:22:06] AT THE WAREHOUSE LIKE IT'S A
[2:22:07] IT'S A HUGE OPERATION THAT YOU
[2:22:09] JUST CAN'T APPRECIATE UNTIL YOU
[2:22:10] SEE IT REAL TIME.
[2:22:11] SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO
[2:22:12] NOVEMBER.
[2:22:13] BUT THE WAY THE TEAM ROLLS UP
[2:22:14] THEIR SLEEVES AND WORK TOGETHER
[2:22:16] AND HIGH FIVES ON EACH OTHER
[2:22:17] IT'S REALLY AMAZING TO BE PART
[2:22:19] OF.
[2:22:20] SABINA, WOULD YOU LIKE.
[2:22:21] TO.
[2:22:21] THANK?
[2:22:22] I'D LIKE TO JUST ADD THAT
[2:22:23] ALL THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT
[2:22:25] WE REACH OUT TO FOR ASSISTANCE
[2:22:27] FOR HELP ON EARLY VOTING DAYS,
[2:22:30] OUR TEAM CAN'T DO IT ON OUR
[2:22:32] OWN.
[2:22:33] UM PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, BOSTON
[2:22:34] POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE FIRE
[2:22:36] CADETS UM EVERYTHING AND
[2:22:39] ANYTHING THAT THOSE CADETS DO
[2:22:41] TO HELP DELIVER ABSENTEE
[2:22:42] BALLOTS ON ELECTION DAY UM
[2:22:44] POLICE CADETS TO HELP THE
[2:22:46] POLICE OFFICERS COMING BACK
[2:22:47] HERE ON ELECTION NIGHT TO HELP
[2:22:50] UM THE BOXES BE REMOVED OUT
[2:22:52] OF VEHICLES.
[2:22:52] THERE'S SO MANY MOVING PIECES.
[2:22:54] THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE THAT DO
[2:22:55] HELP US AND WE JUST CAN'T DO IT
[2:22:57] ON EVERYONE AND WE APPRECIATE
[2:22:58] THAT.
[2:22:59] YEAH.
[2:23:00] AND I ALSO JUST WANT TO
[2:23:01] THANK YOUR ENTIRE TEAM I LOVE
[2:23:02] GOING DOWN THERE AND.
[2:23:03] BE LIKE HEY HOW Y'ALL DOING
[2:23:05] ?
[2:23:05] UM AND IT IS DEFINITELY OFTEN.
[2:23:07] TIMES WHEN THERE'S SO MUCH.
[2:23:09] UM IN THE NEWS AND JUST PEOPLE
[2:23:11] ALWAYS TARGETING.
[2:23:13] US UM IT IS.
[2:23:14] IT CAN BE SOMETIMES
[2:23:16] DEMORALIZING.
[2:23:17] UM, SO JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE
[2:23:18] HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE I SPEAK
[2:23:20] FOR MYSELF AND I KNOW
[2:23:21] COUNCILOR LOUIJEUNE, UM, THAT
[2:23:23] WE DEEPLY CARE AND ARE VERY
[2:23:25] GRATEFUL FOR THE AMOUNT OF TIME
[2:23:27] AND ENERGY THAT YOU ALL PUT TO
[2:23:28] MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE
[2:23:29] ACCESS.
[2:23:30] AND I THINK THAT MY COLLEAGUES
[2:23:31] THAT ARE NOT HERE TODAY UM,
[2:23:33] HOPEFULLY THEY'LL WATCH THIS
[2:23:34] AND REALIZE THE IMPORTANT WORK
[2:23:37] THAT YOU ALL ARE DOING AND
[2:23:38] SOMETIMES THINGS HAPPEN RIGHT?
[2:23:40] UM AND IT'S ALL GOOD TO FOLLOW
[2:23:43] A HEARING ORDER OR AN EMERGENCY
[2:23:44] THIS THAT OR THE.
[2:23:45] OTHER BUT AT.
[2:23:46] THE END OF THE DAY THE REAL
[2:23:47] WORK HAPPENS WHEN YOU FIGHT FOR
[2:23:49] THOSE DOLLARS THAT HELP SUPPORT
[2:23:50] YOU AND DOING YOUR JOB BETTER.
[2:23:52] AND THAT IS WHAT WHAT WE SHOULD
[2:23:55] BE REALLY MEASURING PEOPLE'S
[2:23:56] RHETORIC.
[2:23:57] ON.
[2:23:57] IS HOW MUCH MONEY THEY FIGHT
[2:23:59] FOR TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE
[2:24:00] THINGS DON'T HAPPEN AGAIN.
[2:24:01] AND THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT
[2:24:02] I'M GOING TO START PAYING
[2:24:03] ATTENTION TO AS WE CONTINUE TO
[2:24:05] HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS.
[2:24:06] SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
[2:24:08] THANK YOU MEJIA.
[2:24:09] AND I WANT TO ECHO HOW JUST
[2:24:12] YOUR THE ELECTIONS WHERE I'M A
[2:24:13] REALLY IS ONE OF ONE.
[2:24:14] AND HOW HARD EVERYONE WORKS.
[2:24:16] WHICH IS WHY I WAS YOU KNOW IT
[2:24:17] WAS REALLY UNFORTUNATE THAT THE
[2:24:19] PEOPLE BECAUSE PEOPLE ONLY PAY
[2:24:20] ATTENTION OR THE CAMERAS ONLY
[2:24:22] COME WHEN SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS
[2:24:24] AND UH, WE NEVER WANT THERE TO
[2:24:27] BE BALLOT SHORTAGES.
[2:24:27] WE NEVER WANT SOMEONE TO BE TO.
[2:24:29] CALL AND NOT GET THROUGH.
[2:24:31] BUT WE KNOW THAT MORE OFTEN
[2:24:33] THAN NOT.
[2:24:34] WHEN PEOPLE ARE CALLING THEY
[2:24:35] ARE GOING THROUGH IN THAT
[2:24:36] BALLOT.
[2:24:36] MORE OFTEN THAN NOT BALLOT
[2:24:37] PEOPLE ARE GETTING THE BALLOTS
[2:24:38] THAT.
[2:24:38] THEY NEED.
[2:24:38] BUT JUST.
[2:24:40] UM TO PIGGYBACK OFF OF THAT.
[2:24:42] HOW ARE WE ENSURING THAT.
[2:24:44] UH ONE OF THE ISSUES WAS THAT.
[2:24:46] PEOPLE COULDN'T REACH CITY HALL
[2:24:47] ?
[2:24:47] SO WHAT HAVE WE DONE TO ENSURE.
[2:24:49] THAT WHENEVER THERE'S A
[2:24:49] POLL.
[2:24:50] WORKER OR ANYBODY OUT IN
[2:24:51] COMMUNITY OR AT A POLLING
[2:24:52] LOCATION WHEN THEY NEED IT,
[2:24:53] WHAT WHAT ARE THE COMMUNICATION
[2:24:54] CHAINS NOT.
[2:24:55] TO MAKE SURE THAT CITY.
[2:24:56] HALL IS ALWAYS A SPECIAL.
[2:24:57] ON ELECTION DAY ACCESSIBLE.
[2:25:00] CAREY HELPED MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
[2:25:01] SO I THINK.
[2:25:02] YEAH I THINK WE HAVE A SECRET
[2:25:04] CHEAT CODE WITH WITH THE
[2:25:05] FRIENDS UP DO IT.
[2:25:06] YOU KNOW, UM THE WAY THAT THEY
[2:25:08] COME TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT
[2:25:09] THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGIES KIND
[2:25:10] OF SET UP IN PLACE AND THEN THE
[2:25:12] AGAIN CALLING ON OUR FRIENDS
[2:25:13] HERE IN THE BUILDING WHO
[2:25:14] STAFFED THESE CALL CENTERS AND
[2:25:16] YOU KNOW, TAPPING IN 311 AND
[2:25:18] AND JUST IT'S A REALLY HUGE
[2:25:21] OPERATION YOU KNOW AND IT GETS
[2:25:23] UNDER APPRECIATED BUT BEING
[2:25:24] ABLE TO WORK IN ADVANCE TO
[2:25:26] PROCESS THE FEEDBACK LOOK AT
[2:25:27] SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT THAT WE
[2:25:29] IDENTIFIED IN THE COOKBOOKS AND
[2:25:30] THEN ADJUST OUR TRAININGS
[2:25:31] ACCORDINGLY TO MAKE SURE THAT,
[2:25:32] YOU KNOW, THEY DON'T HAVE TO
[2:25:34] CALL IN FIRST PLACE BUT THEN
[2:25:35] UTILIZING THE TECHNOLOGY TO,
[2:25:37] YOU KNOW, SEND OUT THE
[2:25:38] COMMUNICATION ALERTS TO MAKE
[2:25:39] SURE WE KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON
[2:25:40] IN.
[2:25:40] REAL TIME.
[2:25:41] SPEAKING OF AND THESE ARE
[2:25:42] JUST SOME RAPID FRY SOME
[2:25:43] QUESTIONS THAT I.
[2:25:43] HAVE THAT.
[2:25:44] UH WHAT ARE SOME UH.
[2:25:46] UH WE LOVE THAT I'LL TRY AND
[2:25:48] POP UP.
[2:25:48] SOME AND SAY THAT AGAIN.
[2:25:49] BUT WHAT IS THE BACK UP IN
[2:25:50] CASE.
[2:25:50] YOU KNOW.
[2:25:52] WI-FI GOES OUT OR IN CASE
[2:25:53] THERE'S SOME OTHER.
[2:25:56] UM OR.
[2:25:58] KNOCK ON WOOD.
[2:26:00] UM, SO WE STILL RELY ON THE
[2:26:02] PAPER COPIES TO MAKE SURE THAT
[2:26:03] WE HAVE WITH A REDUNDANCY PLAN
[2:26:05] .
[2:26:05] UM, YOU KNOW, THE POP UPS HAVE
[2:26:07] BEEN GREAT.
[2:26:08] WE CONTINUE TO EVALUATE THEM,
[2:26:09] WE CAN SEE ENERGY LEVEL.
[2:26:11] WE CAN SEE SO MANY THINGS WITH
[2:26:12] THOSE DEVICES.
[2:26:12] SO I THINK THAT AND THEN ON TOP
[2:26:14] OF THAT I BELIEVE THE ROVING
[2:26:15] TEAM WHO CIRCLE IN THE
[2:26:17] COMMUNITY ON ELECTION DAY HAS
[2:26:19] BACKUP SO WE CAN WE CAN ADDRESS
[2:26:21] THEM AS THEY HAPPEN.
[2:26:22] UM, SO WE'VE LEARNED A LOT
[2:26:24] OF LESSONS OVER THE YEARS, YOU
[2:26:26] KNOW, AND THEY SHOULDN'T BE
[2:26:27] UNDERSTATED.
[2:26:28] I THINK THAT SOME OF THE THINGS
[2:26:29] THAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST ARE
[2:26:30] THINGS THAT THE PAST WE
[2:26:31] CONTINUE TO LEARN FROM THEM AND
[2:26:32] GROW FROM THEM AND UM, ENGAGE
[2:26:34] THE COMMUNITY IN THE RIGHT WAY
[2:26:35] SO THAT WE CAN, YOU KNOW, MAKE
[2:26:36] A BETTER EXPERIENCE FOR ALL.
[2:26:37] OKAY.
[2:26:38] MICHAEL SULLIVAN CONTINUES
[2:26:39] TO BE THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S
[2:26:40] DESIGNEE.
[2:26:41] CORRECT.
[2:26:42] THANKS.
[2:26:42] YEAH.
[2:26:43] UM.
[2:26:44] AND HAS THERE BEEN ANY
[2:26:46] COMMUNICATION RECENTLY ABOUT
[2:26:47] ANYTHING.
[2:26:48] PERTINENT THAT THE BODY SHOULD
[2:26:50] BE AWARE OF OR.
[2:26:51] OR DO WE FEEL LIKE THAT THERE
[2:26:52] IS THAT THIS WILL BE THE LAST
[2:26:53] ELECTION WHERE WE SORT OF.
[2:26:54] HAVE THAT.
[2:26:55] DESIGNEE RELATIONSHIP WITH
[2:26:56] THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S
[2:26:57] OFFICE.
[2:26:58] SO AS THE COMMISSIONER
[2:26:59] MENTIONED, JUST JUST OUR
[2:27:01] PARTICIPATION IN THE YOU KNOW,
[2:27:02] IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S
[2:27:03] HOSTED EVENTS, THE UH
[2:27:06] CONFERENCE THAT WE ATTENDED
[2:27:07] LAST WEEK UM IT'S JUST ONE
[2:27:08] OF THOSE THINGS THAT SHOWS
[2:27:09] THAT, YOU KNOW, EVEN IF THEY GO
[2:27:10] AWAY, WE'RE STILL TRYING TO
[2:27:11] MAKE SURE WE'RE MAKING THE
[2:27:13] RIGHT RELATIONSHIP SO THAT AS
[2:27:14] THINGS ARISE, YOU KNOW, THEY
[2:27:15] CAN REACH OUT AND CONTACT US.
[2:27:17] WE HAVEN'T HAD THE CONVERSATION
[2:27:18] AS FAR AS MOVING FORWARD
[2:27:19] BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T HIT THAT
[2:27:20] DEADLINE JUST YET.
[2:27:21] WHAT IS THE DEADLINE.
[2:27:22] THE END OF THE YEAR?
[2:27:24] OKAY.
[2:27:25] SO YOU KNOW AT THE AT THAT TIME
[2:27:27] WE'LL HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS
[2:27:28] HOPEFULLY WE'VE WE'VE DONE ALL
[2:27:29] THAT'S NECESSARY BUT WE'LL
[2:27:30] CONTINUE TO CAPTURE THAT
[2:27:31] FEEDBACK AND LEARN FROM THE
[2:27:32] NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES AND SET
[2:27:34] UP THE RIGHT UM, PROTOCOLS THAT
[2:27:35] CONTINUE TO ENFORCE THE WORK
[2:27:37] THAT WE.
[2:27:38] ALREADY DO.
[2:27:38] OKAY.
[2:27:39] UM DO.
[2:27:40] THE ELECTIONS.
[2:27:40] GROUP REVIEW DAVID KING'S 2027
[2:27:44] BLUEPRINT?
[2:27:44] YES THEY DID.
[2:27:45] AND WITH THE 2025 REQUEST FOR
[2:27:47] THE.
[2:27:48] FIRM'S CONTRACT AND.
[2:27:49] COMPARABLE CITY WORK.
[2:27:50] ANSWERED I'M SORRY.
[2:27:54] THERE WAS UH I THINK THERE WERE
[2:27:56] A REQUEST FROM 2025.
[2:27:57] FOR THE FIRM'S CONTRACT AND
[2:27:59] COMPARABLE CITY WORK.
[2:28:01] OH, UM, I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH
[2:28:03] YOU AFTERWARDS, COUNSELOR.
[2:28:04] OKAY.
[2:28:04] MAKE SURE WE SEND MATERIALS.
[2:28:06] ALL RIGHT.
[2:28:06] THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[2:28:07] THOSE ARE.
[2:28:08] I THINK THE MAIN QUESTIONS.
[2:28:10] THAT, UM, I HAVE ON MY.
[2:28:12] END.
[2:28:13] I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU.
[2:28:14] OH.
[2:28:15] COUNCILMEMBER HERE COMES TO
[2:28:16] MEJIA HAS ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.
[2:28:17] I WAS WAITING FOR.
[2:28:18] YES OKAY.
[2:28:18] SECOND ROUND JUST.
[2:28:20] OKAY OKAY.
[2:28:21] I JUST HAD.
[2:28:23] UM.
[2:28:24] THREE QUESTIONS.
[2:28:25] OKAY.
[2:28:26] UM, CAN YOU JUST PLEASE DISCUSS
[2:28:27] HOW YOU DISTRIBUTE MULTILINGUAL
[2:28:29] BALLOTS, UM, TO EACH POLLING
[2:28:30] LOCATION?
[2:28:31] LIKE HOW DO YOU DETERMINE YOU
[2:28:32] KNOW HOW MANY AND WHICH SITES
[2:28:34] GET WHICH LANGUAGES I'M GOING
[2:28:36] TO ASSUME THAT'S LIKE DEPENDING
[2:28:37] ON THE LANGUAGES SPOKEN ROLLS
[2:28:39] RIGHT.
[2:28:40] THAT'S HOW YOU DO IT THERE.
[2:28:43] SO THERE IS UM THERE IS A
[2:28:46] FEDERAL REQUIREMENT UM FOR
[2:28:51] VIETNAMESE UM AND CHINESE THERE
[2:28:54] IS A FORMULA THAT WE USED BASED
[2:28:56] ON SURNAMES.
[2:28:56] THAT'S WHAT'S PRESCRIBED BY THE
[2:28:58] FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
[2:28:59] UM, BUT WE PROVIDE UH LANGUAGES
[2:29:04] UM, BASED ON THAT FORMULA.
[2:29:07] UM, THERE IS I THINK WHEN WE
[2:29:11] GOT CALLS FROM OUR POLL WORKERS
[2:29:13] ON ELECTION DAY THIS PAST
[2:29:15] SEPTEMBER THEY SAID UH, SOME
[2:29:17] OF THE WORDING SAID WELL, THE
[2:29:20] FEDERAL MONITORS ARE HERE AND
[2:29:21] WE WERE SO PROUD OF OUR
[2:29:23] LANGUAGE ACCESS BECAUSE MORE
[2:29:25] THAN JUST PROVIDING THE
[2:29:27] LANGUAGE IN THOSE UH, THE
[2:29:29] BALLOTS IN THOSE LANGUAGES WE
[2:29:31] HAVE INTERPRETERS ON HAND, WE
[2:29:33] HAVE OUR AUTOMATIC MACHINES AND
[2:29:35] SO WE GO ABOVE AND BEYOND THE
[2:29:37] REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSIBILITY
[2:29:38] AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO MAKE
[2:29:40] EFFORTS THERE.
[2:29:41] GREAT.
[2:29:41] UM, AND YOU KNOW, POLICE
[2:29:44] ARE.
[2:29:44] OFTEN SEEN AT POLLING SITES AND
[2:29:47] UM AND WHICH WHICH YOU KNOW,
[2:29:49] ONE WE BELIEVE THAT REQUIRES
[2:29:52] EXTRA OFFICERS TO BE ON DUTY
[2:29:54] THAT DAY AND.
[2:29:55] LIKELY REQUIRE MORE OVERTIME.
[2:29:57] AND YOU KNOW, WE'RE ON A BUDGET
[2:29:58] .
[2:29:59] UM, SO I'M JUST CURIOUS, UM,
[2:30:01] COULD INDIVIDUALS LIKE CIVILIAN
[2:30:03] FLAGGERS.
[2:30:04] OR OTHERS PLAY THIS ROLE
[2:30:06] INSTEAD?
[2:30:09] WE'LL TAKE IT UNDER
[2:30:11] CONSIDERATION.
[2:30:11] I DON'T KNOW ENOUGH TO SAY YES.
[2:30:13] I BELIEVE THERE'S CERTAIN LIKE
[2:30:14] CHAIN OF CUSTODY PIECES THAT
[2:30:16] MIGHT MIGHT REQUIRE IT BUT I
[2:30:19] COULD TURN TO HE.
[2:30:20] MAY HAVE, UH.
[2:30:20] I BELIEVE THE CITY ORDINANCE
[2:30:22] REQUIRES A BOSTON POLICE
[2:30:23] OFFICER TO BE STATIONED AT THE
[2:30:25] CHECKOUT TABLE TO MONITOR THE
[2:30:28] CHECKOUT LIST.
[2:30:29] SO MAYBE WE COULD UPDATE THE
[2:30:31] ORDINANCE AND AMEND IT SO THAT
[2:30:33] WE CAN REFLECT THAT MAYBE I.
[2:30:36] DON'T KNOW.
[2:30:36] MAYBE THE.
[2:30:37] LEGAL EAGLES CAN ADVISE US, UM
[2:30:39] ,ACCORDINGLY BUT WHO KNOWS?
[2:30:41] I JUST THINK THAT THE MORE
[2:30:42] PATHWAYS.
[2:30:43] THAT WE CAN CREATE FOR, UM,
[2:30:46] STRENGTHENING OPPORTUNITIES.
[2:30:47] FOR OTHER FOLKS.
[2:30:49] WILL BE GREAT.
[2:30:50] UM.
[2:30:50] I DON'T KNOW.
[2:30:51] THAT SOMETHING WORTH LOOKING
[2:30:52] INTO.
[2:30:53] UM, AND.
[2:30:54] THEN WHAT LOGISTICAL.
[2:30:55] AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES DOES
[2:30:56] THE ELECTION DEPARTMENT
[2:30:58] STRUGGLE WITH THE MOST?
[2:31:00] UM.
[2:31:01] AND THEN I'M JUST.
[2:31:02] CURIOUS CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN
[2:31:04] CENTRAL TABULATION AND WHY THE
[2:31:06] CITY DOES IT THE WAY THAT IT
[2:31:08] DOES, ESPECIALLY WITH.
[2:31:09] THE WAY IT POSTS.
[2:31:11] UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS
[2:31:13] ONLINE?
[2:31:13] JUST IF YOU CAN HELP
[2:31:15] ME UNDERSTAND THAT A.
[2:31:16] LITTLE BIT.
[2:31:17] SO THAT'S A THAT'S A.
[2:31:18] BIG TWO PARTER.
[2:31:20] UM I WILL ADDRESS THE THE FIRST
[2:31:21] PART HERE UM IN TERMS
[2:31:24] OF LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES UM
[2:31:26] HIRING WE AIM FOR 2000 POLL
[2:31:29] WORKERS AND WE UM HAVE TO PLACE
[2:31:32] THEM AND TRAIN THEM ALL ACROSS
[2:31:34] THE CITY.
[2:31:35] SO THAT IS ALWAYS AN ONGOING
[2:31:38] CHALLENGE.
[2:31:38] UM, ONE THING I WOULD POINT OUT
[2:31:40] IS THAT SHOULD WE ASK THE POLL
[2:31:43] WORKERS TO DO MORE, SHOULD WE
[2:31:45] WANT TO IMPLEMENT NEW TRAINING?
[2:31:47] UH, THEN WE HAVE TO SCHEDULE
[2:31:49] ANOTHER TRAINING SESSION FOR
[2:31:52] 2000 PEOPLE AND IT'S PAID SO
[2:31:54] THERE'S A $20 FOR A TRAINING
[2:31:57] ACROSS 2000 PEOPLE.
[2:31:59] ON THE $20.
[2:32:01] THAT'S IT.
[2:32:02] WELL, THERE'S A STIPEND FOR
[2:32:03] WORKING ON ELECTION DAY AND
[2:32:05] THEN YOU GET PAID PER TRAINING
[2:32:07] BUT IT NO NO ONE DOES IT.
[2:32:09] $20 $30.
[2:32:11] EXCUSE ME.
[2:32:12] HOW LONG IS THE TRAINING?
[2:32:14] TWO AND A HALF TO THREE HOURS.
[2:32:18] MAYBE OKAY.
[2:32:19] I WOULD INCREASE THAT MAYBE TO
[2:32:21] $50 OR SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW
[2:32:23] COME.
[2:32:23] SEE YOU FOR THE.
[2:32:24] NEXT BUT I'M GOING TO LISTEN
[2:32:25] Y'ALL LIKE I KNOW FOR ME I'M
[2:32:26] ALWAYS ON A BUDGET.
[2:32:27] COME IN $20 $30 AND COME ALL
[2:32:30] THE WAY DOWN TO CITY HALL.
[2:32:31] IS IT VIRTUAL?
[2:32:31] YOU GOT TO BE IN.
[2:32:32] YOUR IN PERSON TWO THAT'S
[2:32:33] PARKING YOU HAVE.
[2:32:34] TO PAY FOR.
[2:32:34] THERE'S A LOT OF BARRIERS.
[2:32:36] THAT WE'RE PUTTING ON TO PEOPLE
[2:32:38] PARTICIPATING HERE.
[2:32:38] SO I.
[2:32:39] LISTEN I'M NOT TRYING TO
[2:32:40] CHANGE EVERYTHING BUT I THINK
[2:32:41] THERE IS SOME WORTH.
[2:32:43] US MAYBE Y'ALL CAN DO IT IN THE
[2:32:46] DISTRICTS AND MAYBE Y'ALL COULD
[2:32:49] BE THE ONES TO GO TO WHERE THE
[2:32:50] PEOPLE.
[2:32:50] ARE AT, UM.
[2:32:52] AND TRAIN THEM THERE, MAYBE DO
[2:32:54] REGIONAL TRAININGS AND FOR
[2:32:57] PIZZA.
[2:32:59] NO I'M SERIOUS.
[2:33:01] I I THINK THAT WOULD BE A BIG.
[2:33:02] DRAW.
[2:33:04] I KNOW I WOULD SHOW UP, I'M
[2:33:05] GETTING FED AND I DON'T HAVE TO
[2:33:07] GET ON THE TRAIN TO COME TO
[2:33:08] CITY HALL.
[2:33:09] FOR 2.5 HOURS.
[2:33:11] I THINK WE SHOULD CHANGE THE
[2:33:12] WAY Y'ALL DO THAT.
[2:33:13] I'M GONNA PUT AN ORDINANCE FOR
[2:33:15] THAT.
[2:33:15] AS WELL.
[2:33:16] HOW YOU FEEL.
[2:33:16] ABOUT THAT?
[2:33:17] SO WE'LL UM.
[2:33:19] NOW ALL JOKES ASIDE, I REALLY.
[2:33:20] DO.
[2:33:21] BELIEVE AS SOMEONE WHO'S.
[2:33:22] ALL ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT
[2:33:23] PEOPLE PARTICIPATE NOT JUST IN
[2:33:25] ELECTORAL POLITICS BUT JUST IN
[2:33:27] THEIR OWN.
[2:33:27] LIVES.
[2:33:28] I THINK THAT THE MORE THAT
[2:33:29] WE CAN DO TO MAKE IT EASIER
[2:33:31] FOR.
[2:33:31] FOLKS.
[2:33:32] YOU CAN DO THE TRAINING
[2:33:33] VIRTUALLY OBVIOUSLY NOT BECAUSE
[2:33:34] YOU HAVE TO SEE THE MACHINES OR
[2:33:37] .
[2:33:37] YOU KNOW, WE DO SOME TRAININGS
[2:33:39] VIRTUALLY OKAY.
[2:33:41] AND SO YES WE DO AND IT DEPENDS
[2:33:45] ON WHETHER YOU'RE A NEW OR
[2:33:46] RETURNING POLL WORKER, WHETHER
[2:33:48] OR NOT YOU'VE USED THE
[2:33:49] EQUIPMENT BEFORE.
[2:33:51] UM WE DO HAVE UH VIRTUAL
[2:33:54] OPTIONS I WOULD SAY IN TERMS
[2:33:56] OF THE WAY THAT WE DO CENTRAL
[2:33:58] TAB THAT'S GOVERNED BY STATE
[2:34:00] LAW AND SO THAT YOU KNOW,
[2:34:02] THAT'S REALLY THE DRIVING FORCE
[2:34:04] BEHIND THE WAY THAT WE RUN THE
[2:34:06] CENTRAL TAB.
[2:34:07] UM, IT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
[2:34:10] AND OPEN TO OBSERVERS.
[2:34:12] SO YOU KNOW, I THINK UH THIS
[2:34:13] PAST SEPTEMBER'S MEETS WOULD BE
[2:34:15] YOU KNOW, THE ELECTION STAFF
[2:34:17] AND UM, UH A HUGE NUMBER
[2:34:20] OF ATTORNEYS FROM CAMPAIGNS AND
[2:34:22] THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE
[2:34:23] AND OTHERWISE BUT BECAUSE IT'S
[2:34:25] SO PUBLIC UM, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE
[2:34:28] TO DO IT EXACTLY THE WAY THE
[2:34:29] STATE LAW SAYS.
[2:34:30] AND UH, GO.
[2:34:31] AHEAD AND JUST ADD ONE OTHER
[2:34:32] BARRIER THAT WE DO HAVE.
[2:34:33] YEAH.
[2:34:34] AND IT WAS DISCUSSED IN THE
[2:34:35] PREVIOUS PANEL IS THE CENSUS.
[2:34:37] UM, UH WE TALK A LOT ABOUT
[2:34:39] VOTERS AND VOTERS COMING OUT TO
[2:34:40] VOTE BUT PEOPLE NEED TO RESPOND
[2:34:42] TO THE CENSUS.
[2:34:42] THAT IS A HUGE BARRIER THAT WE
[2:34:44] HAVE EVERY YEAR.
[2:34:45] YEAH.
[2:34:46] YEAH THAT'S.
[2:34:47] YEAH UH YEAH I.
[2:34:49] AGREE UH I'LL JUST.
[2:34:51] UM SAY ONE LAST THING IS.
[2:34:52] THAT IN.
[2:34:53] REGARDS I.
[2:34:54] KNOW I WAS JOKINGLY MAKING
[2:34:56] REFERENCE TO UM GETTING FOLKS
[2:34:59] MORE ENGAGED.
[2:35:00] I THINK THAT SOME OF THE POLL
[2:35:01] WORKERS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN
[2:35:02] TRAINED COULD TAKE ON SOME MORE
[2:35:04] LEADERSHIP ROLE.
[2:35:05] UM, AND YOU CAN CREATE LIKE A
[2:35:07] LITTLE PIPELINE AND MAYBE THEY
[2:35:09] COULD HELP DO SOME OF THE
[2:35:11] TRAININGS.
[2:35:12] HAVE YOU BEEN IN OUR MEETINGS,
[2:35:13] COUNSELOR?
[2:35:15] NO I'M NOT.
[2:35:16] DOING THAT NOW.
[2:35:17] Y'ALL Y'ALL DOING THAT NOW.
[2:35:18] YES THAT'S GREAT BECAUSE WHAT
[2:35:20] THAT DOES IS THAT GIVES.
[2:35:21] THEM SOME LEADERSHIP
[2:35:23] DEVELOPMENT AND ALSO THEY CAN
[2:35:26] DO IT IN THEIR.
[2:35:27] OWN UM DISTRICT AND THEY COULD
[2:35:30] .
[2:35:30] HOST THE TRAINING AND LEAD IT
[2:35:32] AND THAT COULD BE LESS UM
[2:35:35] ANOTHER WAY TO REMOVE THE
[2:35:36] BARRIERS SO YOU KNOW, JUST MORE
[2:35:39] THINGS THAT YOU.
[2:35:39] CAN ASK.
[2:35:40] FOR.
[2:35:40] MORE MONEY.
[2:35:41] IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET TO.
[2:35:42] MAKE IT ALL HAPPEN.
[2:35:44] UM BUT YEAH I'M NOT GOING TO
[2:35:45] GIVE YOU ALL MORE THINGS AND.
[2:35:46] THEN I.
[2:35:47] NOT YOU KNOW, BUT.
[2:35:48] IF.
[2:35:48] YOU IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT I
[2:35:49] CAN.
[2:35:49] DO TO BE HELPFUL, PLEASE.
[2:35:50] KNOW THAT.
[2:35:51] I'M HERE FOR ALL OF IT AND
[2:35:52] THANK YOU, THANK.
[2:35:53] YOU.
[2:35:54] THANK YOU.
[2:35:55] COUNCILOR MEJIA.
[2:35:55] THE ONE THING THAT I WILL SAY
[2:35:57] AND SORRY WE.
[2:35:58] HAVE ENTERED THE PART OF THE
[2:35:59] CHAT.
[2:35:59] WHERE IT'S LIKE YOU'RE JUST
[2:36:00] ASKING QUESTIONS BUT
[2:36:02] COUNCILMAN HE DID MENTION AND I
[2:36:03] THINK I SAW YOU DO IT.
[2:36:04] CARRY LIKE MORE VISUALS.
[2:36:07] UM, AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE
[2:36:09] REALLY HELPFUL.
[2:36:09] I SAW YOU.
[2:36:10] DO A REALLY GREAT VISUAL WHEN
[2:36:11] IT CAME TO.
[2:36:12] ELECTION DAY.
[2:36:13] I WAS EARLY VOTING.
[2:36:14] YOU KNOW WE NEED TO MAKE SURE
[2:36:15] WE ARE POPPING UP EARLY VOTING
[2:36:17] AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
[2:36:18] UM.
[2:36:19] BUT I.
[2:36:19] THINK THAT THAT.
[2:36:20] WOULD BE MORE HELPFUL.
[2:36:21] YOU KNOW, AND WE SAID TEND
[2:36:22] TO RELY HEAVILY ON SOCIAL MEDIA
[2:36:25] BUT ALSO NOT EVERYONE IS SOCIAL
[2:36:26] .
[2:36:27] MEDIA IS ON SOCIAL.
[2:36:28] MEDIA SO WE ACTUALLY CAN'T
[2:36:29] THINK THAT WE'RE.
[2:36:29] DOING THE.
[2:36:30] JOB JUST BECAUSE OF WHAT'S.
[2:36:31] HAPPENING ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
[2:36:33] SO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO THINK
[2:36:34] ABOUT OTHER WAYS, UM, TO UH
[2:36:37] CONNECT.
[2:36:37] WITH PEOPLE.
[2:36:38] I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU,
[2:36:39] SABINO.
[2:36:40] YOU WERE MY CHIEF OF STAFF,
[2:36:41] EMILY'S FIRST CITY HALL
[2:36:43] EMPLOYEE EVER THAT SHE MET AND.
[2:36:45] UM, UH.
[2:36:46] SHE JUST WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER
[2:36:48] YOU GIVING JUST SUCH A GREAT
[2:36:50] IMPRESSION OF WHAT IT MEANS TO
[2:36:52] WORK FOR THE CITY OF BOSTON.
[2:36:53] YET SHE DIDN'T WORK FOR THE
[2:36:54] CITY OF BOSTON WHEN SHE FIRST
[2:36:55] MET YOU AND SHE'S NOW BEEN
[2:36:56] HERE.
[2:36:57] SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT SHE'S
[2:36:58] IMPRINTED ON OUR MINDS.
[2:36:59] SO THANK YOU FOR BEING A GREAT
[2:37:01] REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY, UM
[2:37:02] ,AND OF CARING SO DEEPLY ABOUT
[2:37:03] OUR ELECTIONS AND MAKING SURE
[2:37:05] THAT THEY RUN AS THEY SHOULD.
[2:37:07] COUNCILOR, WE, UM, HAVE PUT OUT
[2:37:10] BILLBOARDS UM, AS KERRY
[2:37:13] MENTIONED.
[2:37:13] UM, AND WE ARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA
[2:37:15] BUT UH, SHOULD THERE BE EVENTS,
[2:37:18] UM, THAT YOU THINK IT'S
[2:37:19] APPROPRIATE FOR THE DEPARTMENT
[2:37:20] TO TALK NONPARTISAN ABOUT, UH,
[2:37:23] THE ELECTION?
[2:37:24] UH, PLEASE, UH, DO LET US KNOW
[2:37:27] WHERE AVAILABLE TO YOU AND
[2:37:29] WOULD LOVE TO ENGAGE WITH THE
[2:37:30] COMMUNITY.
[2:37:30] YEAH, I THINK THAT WOULD BE
[2:37:31] GREAT.
[2:37:32] ESPECIALLY AT OUR SCHOOLS
[2:37:33] ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE TALKING
[2:37:34] ABOUT PRE-REGISTRATION AT THE
[2:37:35] AGE OF 1617.
[2:37:36] SO YEAH, I WOULD DEFINITELY
[2:37:37] THINK ABOUT THAT AND I KNOW MY
[2:37:38] COLLEAGUES WILL.
[2:37:39] AS WELL THINK ABOUT HOW TO
[2:37:40] INTEGRATE WE I SEE YOU I DO.
[2:37:42] SEE THE DEPARTMENT OUT.
[2:37:43] IN COMMUNITY.
[2:37:44] UM WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT
[2:37:45] BETTER WAYS OF LIKE INTEGRATING
[2:37:47] THAT MAKE CENTERING YOU MORE SO
[2:37:48] YEAH THANK YOU.
[2:37:49] WE WILL COMMISSION WE WILL TAKE
[2:37:51] THAT INTO UNDER ADVISEMENT.
[2:37:52] COUNSELOR LOUIJEUNE I JUST DO
[2:37:55] WANT TO MENTION THAT WE DO UM,
[2:37:57] STUDENT REGISTRATIONS IN ALL
[2:37:58] THE HIGH SCHOOLS ACROSS THE
[2:37:59] CITY USUALLY STARTING IN THE
[2:38:01] MONTH OF JANUARY LEADING UP
[2:38:03] UNTIL GRADUATION DAY.
[2:38:05] UM, COMMISSIONER ROONEY LEADS
[2:38:07] THAT EFFORT AND SHE GATHERS
[2:38:09] MANY, MANY REGISTRATIONS FROM
[2:38:11] PRE REGISTRANTS UP UNTIL UM,
[2:38:14] STUDENTS THAT CAN VOTE UP IN
[2:38:16] THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS.
[2:38:17] SO WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE
[2:38:18] ACTUALLY LIKE AS THE ELECTION
[2:38:20] DEPARTMENT.
[2:38:20] GOING INTO.
[2:38:21] SCHOOLS AND THEIR TABLES
[2:38:22] WITH REGISTRATION DRIVES.
[2:38:24] YES WE WE MEET WITH THE LEADERS
[2:38:25] OF THE SCHOOLS.
[2:38:26] THEY INFORM THE PARENTS OF THE
[2:38:29] STUDENTS THAT THIS IS HAPPENING
[2:38:30] SO THAT THEY HAVE THE PROPER
[2:38:31] MATERIALS LIKE THE PREVIOUS
[2:38:33] PANELISTS SAID, THEY DON'T HAVE
[2:38:34] THE LAST DIGITS OF THEIR SOCIAL
[2:38:36] THEY DON'T HAVE AN I.D..
[2:38:37] THEY'RE READY.
[2:38:38] TO GO AND THEY'RE READY TO
[2:38:39] SIGN UP THE DAY THAT WE ARE
[2:38:40] THERE TO HAVE THESE EVENTS UM,
[2:38:43] CERTAIN SCHOOLS OBVIOUSLY HAVE
[2:38:44] A BIGGER TURNOUT AND MORE
[2:38:47] PARTICIPATION THAN OTHER
[2:38:48] STUDENTS BECAUSE OF THEIR
[2:38:50] POPULATION, BUT THEY ALL
[2:38:52] WELCOME US UM, UH, THROUGHOUT
[2:38:54] THE YEAR TO TO TO REGISTER
[2:38:56] FOLKS.
[2:38:56] NOT ONLY ARE WE DOING THAT BUT
[2:38:58] WE ALSO HAVE A STUDENT POLL
[2:38:59] WORKER PROGRAM.
[2:39:00] WE HAVE POLL.
[2:39:01] WORKERS STUDENTS IN.
[2:39:04] TO BECOME.
[2:39:05] POLL WORKERS FOR THE STATE
[2:39:08] ELECTION.
[2:39:09] UM THE I BELIEVE LAST ELECTION
[2:39:11] UM LAST NOVEMBER WE HAD CLOSE
[2:39:14] TO 75 POLL WORKERS THAT WERE
[2:39:15] STUDENTS.
[2:39:16] IT'S A PAID POSITION.
[2:39:18] UH, THEY COULD WORK HALF THE
[2:39:19] DAY IF THEY'RE UNDER UNDER 18,
[2:39:22] BUT IF THEY ARE 18 OR OVER THEY
[2:39:24] CAN WILL WORK THE FULL DAY WITH
[2:39:26] PROPER UM.
[2:39:28] UM UM.
[2:39:29] SO WHAT I WANT TO USE UM.
[2:39:31] FOR PARENTAL.
[2:39:32] UH, PARENTAL UH, AGREEMENT AND
[2:39:34] SCHOOL UM ADVISEMENT FROM THAT
[2:39:36] SO THAT SYSTEM IS ALREADY IN
[2:39:38] PLACE AND WE HAVE BEEN.
[2:39:39] DOING THAT FOR AND AND TO BE
[2:39:40] YOU KNOW, JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY
[2:39:44] I WHAT PORTION PROPORTION
[2:39:46] OF OUR ELECTION DEPARTMENT
[2:39:48] STAFF ARE FORMER STUDENT POLL
[2:39:50] WORKERS?
[2:39:52] UM THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION
[2:39:53] BECAUSE SOME OF OUR OUR PART
[2:39:55] TIME STAFF, OUR STUDENT POLL
[2:39:57] WORKERS THAT ARE WILLING TO
[2:39:58] COME IN AND HELP DURING
[2:40:00] ELECTIONS DURING OUR CENSUS
[2:40:02] SEASON.
[2:40:02] UM.
[2:40:03] AND ARE WILLING TO DO MORE
[2:40:05] UM TO PARTICIPATE IN ELECTIONS
[2:40:07] .
[2:40:07] SO WE HAVE BEEN IN THE
[2:40:08] COMMUNITY TO TRY TO DO THIS AND
[2:40:10] WILL CONTINUE TO DO THIS MOVING
[2:40:11] FORWARD.
[2:40:12] THANK YOU.
[2:40:13] I ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU I MEAN I
[2:40:14] DON'T KNOW IF IT'S YOU OR IF
[2:40:15] IT'S THE SCHOOLS TO MAKE SURE
[2:40:15] THAT THEY'RE WORKING WITH LIKE
[2:40:16] THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT BODY OR
[2:40:17] WHATEVER.
[2:40:19] SO WHATEVER THE NAME IS.
[2:40:21] UM I THINK THAT'S CALLED
[2:40:22] DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT
[2:40:23] SCHOOLS.
[2:40:23] BUT IT'S A COLLABORATION WITH
[2:40:26] US IN THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT TO
[2:40:27] DO THIS TOGETHER.
[2:40:28] AND SO I JUST HOPE THAT LIKE
[2:40:29] THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
[2:40:30] IS NOT IT'S NOT JUST AN
[2:40:31] ADULT RUN THING THAT THEY'RE
[2:40:32] ALSO LIKE ENGAGING THE.
[2:40:33] STUDENTS WHO WOULD.
[2:40:34] BE MOST.
[2:40:35] INCLINED TO LEAD ON THIS AS
[2:40:36] WELL.
[2:40:37] SO AWESOME.
[2:40:37] WELL THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[2:40:40] TO THIS PANEL.
[2:40:41] WE REALLY.
[2:40:42] UM RESPECT THE WORK THAT YOU
[2:40:43] DO.
[2:40:43] UH THERE ARE.
[2:40:44] ALWAYS GROWING PAINS AND
[2:40:45] CHANGES AND SOMETIMES UH WE
[2:40:47] TAKE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AS
[2:40:48] WHAT THEY ARE TO IMPROVE.
[2:40:50] SO REALLY GRATEFUL FOR YOU.
[2:40:51] UM, I KNOW WE DIDN'T TALK.
[2:40:53] ABOUT.
[2:40:53] IT, BUT I KNOW THAT THIS IS AN
[2:40:54] ELECTION DEPARTMENT THAT WOULD
[2:40:55] BE READY.
[2:40:55] TO IMPLEMENT.
[2:40:56] ELECTION DAY VOTER REGISTRATION
[2:40:58] SHOULD IT BE PLACED ON THE
[2:41:00] BALLOT AND IMPLEMENTED FOR 2028
[2:41:02] ?
[2:41:02] WE FEEL GOOD ABOUT THAT.
[2:41:04] WE BELIEVE IN OUR ABILITY TO
[2:41:06] IMPLEMENT ANY LAW THAT'S.
[2:41:07] PASSED.
[2:41:08] AND I BELIEVE IN YOUR
[2:41:09] ABILITY TO DO THAT AS WELL.
[2:41:10] THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[2:41:11] AND ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR
[2:41:12] FRIDAY.
[2:41:12] THANK YOU COUNCIL.
[2:41:13] THANK YOU.
[2:41:14] WE HAVE ONE MORE PERSON SIGNED
[2:41:17] UP FOR UH PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
[2:41:18] I'M NOT.
[2:41:19] SURE IF THERE'S ANYONE.
[2:41:20] VIRTUALLY THERE'S NO ONE
[2:41:22] VIRTUALLY WE HAVE ONE MORE
[2:41:23] PERSON SIGNED UP FOR, UH,
[2:41:24] PUBLIC TESTIMONY AND THAT.
[2:41:25] IS, UH.
[2:41:25] SOMEONE WHO IS NO STRANGER
[2:41:26] HERE.
[2:41:27] UM, ED SHOEMAKER, UH, FROM
[2:41:29] VOTER CHOICE MASSACHUSETTS AND
[2:41:31] IN DORCHESTER.
[2:41:31] UH, ED, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR AND
[2:41:34] YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.
[2:41:37] AND A FORMER COMMISSIONER.
[2:41:38] AS I SAID, NO STRANGER TO THIS
[2:41:40] ANYONE?
[2:41:40] YES.
[2:41:41] UM, I KNOW IT'S LIKE 80
[2:41:42] DEGREES OUT ON A FRIDAY.
[2:41:44] SO I KNOW WE ALL WANT TO HEAD
[2:41:46] FOR THE EXIT, BUT I QUICKLY
[2:41:47] WANTED TO THANK THE STAFF FOR
[2:41:49] KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON.
[2:41:50] THANK THE COUNSELOR FOR ALL THE
[2:41:52] GREAT WORK THAT YOU ALL HAVE
[2:41:54] DONE UH, WITH RANKED CHOICE
[2:41:55] VOTING, HOME RULE.
[2:41:56] PETITION AND FOR DEMOCRACY UM
[2:41:58] VOTER CHOICE MASSACHUSETTS
[2:42:00] ENDORSES THE QUESTION YES ON
[2:42:01] FOR ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION
[2:42:03] AS SOMEBODY WHO'S DONE A LOT
[2:42:04] OF UH, VOTER REGISTRATION I'VE
[2:42:06] BEEN CONSISTENTLY FRUSTRATED UH
[2:42:08] ,ON MOVING DAY WHERE YOU TRY
[2:42:09] TO REGISTER PEOPLE TO VOTE WE
[2:42:10] JUST MOVED OR ENTERED THE CITY
[2:42:12] AND THEY ARE NOW UNABLE TO
[2:42:14] PARTICIPATE UH, IN THE UPCOMING
[2:42:15] ELECTION THIS YEAR IT WAS VERY
[2:42:17] CRITICAL WITH THE ELECTION
[2:42:18] ACTUALLY HAPPENING ON SEPTEMBER
[2:42:19] 1ST, WHICH WAS THE ACTUAL
[2:42:20] MOVING DAY, WHICH WAS VERY
[2:42:22] FRUSTRATING FOR A LOT OF FOLKS
[2:42:23] MOVING INTO THE CITY.
[2:42:25] UM, I MEAN THIS IS AMERICA,
[2:42:27] RIGHT?
[2:42:27] WE WE ENGAGE IN DEMOCRACY.
[2:42:29] WE ENGAGE IN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
[2:42:31] UH, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO VOTE.
[2:42:32] YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE THIS
[2:42:33] ARBITRARY SORT OF, UM, RULE
[2:42:35] THAT, YOU KNOW, DEEMS YOU, UH,
[2:42:38] AN OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE VOTER
[2:42:40] INELIGIBLE.
[2:42:41] UM.
[2:42:42] SO OTHER THAN THAT.
[2:42:43] I WANT TO SAY THAT, UH, I THANK
[2:42:44] EVERYTHING THAT THE COUNCIL HAS
[2:42:46] BEEN WORKING ON.
[2:42:47] I LOVE BEING IN THE SAME ROOM
[2:42:48] AS SABINO.
[2:42:49] UM, HAD A GREAT TIME WORKING
[2:42:50] WITH PAUL.
[2:42:51] UH, VERY THOUGHTFUL.
[2:42:53] UM, WHEN IT CAME TO THE WORK
[2:42:54] OF THE HOME RULE PETITION FOR
[2:42:55] RANKED CHOICE VOTING HEARD
[2:42:56] NOTHING BUT GOOD WORDS ABOUT
[2:42:58] KERRY UH, BEING RETWEETED FROM
[2:43:00] A LOT OF RESPECTED COLLEAGUES.
[2:43:02] SO I FEEL LIKE I'VE ALREADY MET
[2:43:03] THE MAN AND I KNOW HE'LL DO
[2:43:04] GREAT WORK HERE UH, FOR THE
[2:43:06] CITY OF BOSTON.
[2:43:06] BUT THAT'S IT.
[2:43:08] UM, ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, ONE
[2:43:09] MORE THING SORRY I LIED.
[2:43:10] UM, TRYING TO BE QUICK HERE.
[2:43:12] UM, THE HEARING ORDER FOR THE
[2:43:15] SUPPORT OF THE HOME RULE
[2:43:17] PETITION THAT GOT FILED IN
[2:43:18] BOSTON.
[2:43:19] I KNOW THAT'S IN COMMITTEE.
[2:43:20] UM, IF THERE'S A WAY WE COULD
[2:43:22] RESURRECT THAT AND, UH, PASS
[2:43:23] IT, UH, IT WOULD GO A LONG WAY
[2:43:25] TOWARDS THE EFFORTS, UM, AT THE
[2:43:27] STATE HOUSE WHICH YOU KNOW, IS
[2:43:30] UH, ALWAYS A LOT OF WORK BUT
[2:43:31] WE'RE TRYING TO BUILD A LOT
[2:43:33] OF MOMENTUM WITH THE COLLECTION
[2:43:34] OF HOME RULE PETITIONS THAT WE
[2:43:36] DO HAVE AND THE LOCAL OPTION
[2:43:37] BILL.
[2:43:37] SO I GUESS I DID NEED ALL MY
[2:43:38] TIME.
[2:43:39] THANK YOU.
[2:43:41] UM, AND ED REMINDED ME SO I'M
[2:43:43] NOT GOING TO LET YOU GO JUST
[2:43:44] YET.
[2:43:45] WE DID TALK ABOUT UH WE DIDN'T
[2:43:46] TALK ABOUT HOW IT AFFECTS
[2:43:47] BOSTON THE CENSUS, THE
[2:43:49] MUNICIPAL CENSUS AND UH UH
[2:43:52] DECOUPLING THAT WITH THE WITH
[2:43:53] THE VOTER.
[2:43:54] UM, JUST THOUGHTS ON THAT
[2:43:55] BECAUSE I THINK THAT UH WHAT
[2:43:57] HAVE WE SEEN HAS THAT BEEN A
[2:43:59] PROBLEM IN BOSTON AND WHAT
[2:44:00] SHOULD WE DO ABOUT IT?
[2:44:03] SO UH.
[2:44:05] I JUST WANT TO BE CAREFUL
[2:44:06] BECAUSE WE ARE NOT POLICY
[2:44:08] MAKERS.
[2:44:09] UH, BUT I WILL SAY THAT THE, UM
[2:44:12] ,PROCESS IS ADMINISTRATIVELY
[2:44:15] VERY TIME CONSUMING AND
[2:44:17] RESOURCE INTENSIVE.
[2:44:18] UM, TO MAIL EVERY HOUSEHOLD IN
[2:44:21] THE CITY TWICE TO SEND OUT THE
[2:44:24] INACTIVATION NOTICES TO RESPOND
[2:44:25] TO THOSE.
[2:44:26] UM, THERE IS A TREMENDOUS
[2:44:29] AMOUNT OF TIME AND ENERGY
[2:44:30] THAT'S PUT INTO MANAGING THAT
[2:44:32] PROCESS.
[2:44:34] I'M TRYING TO READ BETWEEN ANY
[2:44:36] LINES THERE.
[2:44:39] SO I UNDERSTAND WHY IT'S
[2:44:40] IMPORTANT FOR THE CITY TO DO
[2:44:41] THE MUNICIPAL CENSUS I DO I
[2:44:43] WANT US TO GET AN.
[2:44:44] ACCURATE COUNT.
[2:44:45] BUT WE ARE SEEING THAT IT.
[2:44:47] CAN BE DISENFRANCHIZING TO
[2:44:48] VOTERS AND WE KNOW.
[2:44:50] THAT.
[2:44:50] EVEN WHEN THERE ARE ATTEMPTS
[2:44:51] MADE LIKE I'M NOT GOING TO TELL
[2:44:53] YOU WHAT MY RESPONSE RATE IS TO
[2:44:54] MY MAIL EVEN THOUGH I AM
[2:44:55] SOMEONE WHO PHYSICALLY LOVES
[2:44:56] CHECKING THE MAIL.
[2:44:57] LET'S ASK MY STAFF, YOU KNOW.
[2:44:59] BUT THERE STILL ARE.
[2:45:01] YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES THERE'S AND
[2:45:02] TIME IS TO RESPONDING.
[2:45:04] SO I'M WONDERING SORT OF IS IT
[2:45:06] WORTH THAT EVEN THE ACTOR THAT
[2:45:08] WE'RE PUTTING OUT TO.
[2:45:09] THEN THE POTENTIAL OF.
[2:45:10] THESE UH DISENFRANCHIZING OR
[2:45:12] VOTER.
[2:45:15] NO THANK YOU THANKS EVERYONE.
[2:45:17] UM, EITHER FORMAL THINGS THAT I
[2:45:18] NEED.
[2:45:18] TO.
[2:45:19] READ IN ORDER TO ADJOURN THIS
[2:45:20] HEARING THAT I I'M NOT.
[2:45:22] PUT AWAY.
[2:45:22] BUT I'M REALLY GRATEFUL THIS
[2:45:23] WAS A REALLY.
[2:45:25] UH, THOUGHT.
[2:45:26] PROVOKING AND, UH.
[2:45:27] EDUCATIONAL HEARING FOR ME AND
[2:45:29] I KNOW FOR MY COLLEAGUES AS
[2:45:30] WELL.
[2:45:31] SO THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES
[2:45:32] FOR BEING HERE.
[2:45:32] THANK YOU TO COUNCIL ME HERE
[2:45:33] FOR STICKING IT OUT AND STILL
[2:45:34] BEING HERE WITH US.
[2:45:35] UM, WE KNOW THAT THE WORK IS
[2:45:37] GOING TO.
[2:45:38] CONTINUE AND WE KNOW THAT ALL
[2:45:39] OF YOU WILL.
[2:45:40] CONTINUE THAT WORK.
[2:45:40] UH, WE.
[2:45:41] WILL BE PULLING.
[2:45:42] UH WE.
[2:45:43] WILL BE, UH, ASKING FOR A
[2:45:45] VOTE ON DOCKET.
[2:45:46] 81805 AND FOR IN.
[2:45:47] SUPPORT OF QUESTION FOUR.
[2:45:48] UH, ELECTION.
[2:45:49] DAY REGISTRATION.
[2:45:50] VOTING AND WE WILL.
[2:45:51] HOLD THE DOCKET DOCKET.
[2:45:54] 0183 IN COMMITTEE.
[2:45:55] SO WE CONTINUE TO CONTINUE.
[2:45:56] TO CALL YOU INTO.
[2:45:57] CHAMBERS WHEN YOU HAVE
[2:45:58] QUESTIONS AND WANT TO THINK.
[2:45:59] ABOUT ARE WE.
[2:46:00] DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN ON
[2:46:01] VOTER ACCESSIBILITY AND UM,
[2:46:03] INCREASING ACCESS TO DEMOCRACY
[2:46:04] FOR.
[2:46:04] OUR.
[2:46:05] RESIDENTS IN THE CITY.
[2:46:05] OF.
[2:46:06] BOSTON TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE
[2:46:06] NOT.
[2:46:07] TURNING THE DOORS ON DEMOCRACY.
[2:46:08] ON ANY OF OUR.
[2:46:10] UH UH, WORKING.
[2:46:11] CLASS VOTERS VOTERS
[2:46:12] OF COLOR.
[2:46:13] UH, RENTERS, PEOPLE WHO ARE
[2:46:15] LESS LIKELY TO.
[2:46:16] UM, INTERACT WITH GOVERNMENT
[2:46:17] AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
[2:46:18] WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE
[2:46:19] INCREASING.
[2:46:20] UM WHO IS PART OF OUR DEMOCRACY
[2:46:22] ESPECIALLY IN THESE.
[2:46:23] FRIGHTENING FEDERAL TIMES?
[2:46:24] UM.
[2:46:25] AND WE KNOW THAT WE AS.
[2:46:26] A CITY WE ARE ALL UP FOR THE
[2:46:27] TASK.
[2:46:27] SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE
[2:46:28] INCREDIBLE.
[2:46:28] WORK THAT YOU DO.
[2:46:29] THIS HEARING ON DOCKETS NUMBER
[2:46:31] 0183 AND.
[2:46:32] DOCKET NUMBER.
[2:46:34] 1805 IS ADJOURNED.
[2:46:36] THANK YOU.