During a recent meeting of the Lakeville Select Board, significant discussions centered around the upcoming election schedule and the implications for local election administration. The meeting highlighted the challenges posed by a series of elections, including a town election, early voting for the state primary in August, and the presidential election in November, which will also feature two weeks of early voting.

The election calendar indicates a busy period for the town, with elections occurring almost daily for a week, followed by the presidential election. This frequency raises concerns about staffing and resources, as the election office will need to manage increased workloads, including handling vote-by-mail requests. The election official expressed the need for additional personnel, noting that the current staff of two and a half is insufficient to meet the demands of the upcoming elections.

As of the latest registration, Lakeville has approximately 9,800 registered voters, alongside 3,350 inactive voters who could potentially participate. The official pointed out that while the number of registered voters is significant, actual turnout can vary. For instance, during the last presidential election, voter turnout reached 89%, but recent local elections saw participation drop to around 600 voters.

The discussions underscored the importance of adequate staffing and resources to ensure smooth election operations. With the town's population at around 12,000 residents, the election office is preparing for a potentially high turnout, especially during the presidential election. The official emphasized the need for planning and support to handle the anticipated increase in voting activity, reflecting the broader challenges faced by local governments in managing electoral processes effectively.

As Lakeville gears up for this busy election season, the Select Board's focus on staffing and resource allocation will be crucial in ensuring that the electoral process runs smoothly and efficiently.