The City of Cambridge is hoping to improve voter turnout by offering more ways to vote in the upcoming municipal election. For the first time ever, residents in the city will be able to cast their vote online or by telephone.
“I think this is fantastic. It gives more people a chance to have an opinion,” said Julie Mask.
Cambridge City Clerk Michael Di Lullo says voter turnout in the last municipal election in Cambridge was less than 29 per cent of voters and hopes offering more convenient ways of voting will change that.
“I'm very optimistic that we'll be able to achieve another 10 to 15 basis points but obviously our main goal is to improve upon the last election,” said Di Lullo.
Many people in Cambridge agree, saying making the voting process both easier and longer will help.
“I think it would be great. It would be easier because then you could be home or whatever and just vote,” said Maria DeOliveira
“Makes it a lot easier for them, to just give them a call or go online,” added Hoang Vu.
For those who may be worried about online security, Di Lullo says safeguards will be put in place.
“When they receive their voter card they'll have a pin. They have to match that with their own identity pin that they'll create themselves. The security factors are in place so that we as clerks can go ahead and explore these different types of opportunities,” he said.
The cost of the project is about $60,000. The money will also go toward technology that will allow people to vote at any of the 50 polling stations across the city.
To take advantage of the advance online or telephone voting options, just like in any election, residents will have to be pre-registered to vote so that they receive their voter card with instructions in the mail ahead of time.
