Clerk outlines translated ballots, live‑translation iPads and outreach ahead of March 3 election

The Board of Civil Authority heard a report from the city clerk Tuesday about expanded language access and outreach ahead of the March 3 town meeting day election. The clerk said translated ballot materials will be posted at polling locations and online and that live translation services will be available via iPads at polling sites.

“There are six [languages],” the clerk said, listing “Arabic, Spanish, French, Swahili, Somali, and Nepali.” The clerk emphasized that the ballots run through the tabulator are not translated; the translated materials are reference copies for voters and election staff.

Why it matters: the materials and devices are intended to help voters who need language support complete the registration and voting process. The clerk said the town coordinated translations with the school district and library, and that iPad translation software will include live interpreters and ASL support. The town also plans printed instruction sheets for presiding officers and will train staff on using the devices before election day.

At the meeting the clerk described two recent high‑school voter registration drives the office ran with student representatives, which produced 23 new registrations split between 17‑ and 18‑year‑olds. The clerk noted that some newly registered 17‑year‑olds will need to take their oaths at 18 before they can vote.

The board did not take a formal vote on the translation plan at this meeting; the clerk said translated materials and the iPad stations will be included in the gray binder instructions for presiding officers and available at every polling location.