Committee approves poll-pad purchase to speed voter check-in; implementation after November

The Public & Safety General Government Committee on July 23 approved a procurement for electronic poll pads intended to speed check-in and improve absentee reporting. "Primarily, they will increase absentee ballot accuracy and reporting times," Matthew Lane, Democratic deputy registrar of voters, told the committee.

Lane said poll pads do not process or count ballots and operate as a standalone, encrypted environment that assists only with check-in. He told members the vendor has SOC 2 audit documentation and the system is widely used across Connecticut. Council members asked about security and timing; Lane said the system would not be deployed for the upcoming November election but would be acquired and go through testing for use in next year’s municipal elections.

The committee recorded a unanimous vote to approve the authorization as presented. Officials said the purchase was included in the capital budget and that vendor selection followed multiple quotes and state contracting guidance.

The committee did not specify exact implementation dates beyond the post-November testing window; staff said further procurement and schedule details would be worked out with the registrar’s office and returned to the council as needed.