Boulder continues to troubleshoot issues with Boulder Direct Democracy Online, the city’s new online petitioning software, ahead of the fast-approaching date when campaigns can begin collecting signatures.
When Boulder officially launched a preview of the new online system Jan. 22, it promised to have the online system available “as soon as an approved petition becomes available.” Boulder Direct Democracy Online allows online signature-gathering for initiative petitions, recalls and referendums. Charter amendments cannot use the online system.
Bedrooms Are For People, which seeks to change Boulder’s occupancy limits to allow more unrelated people to live together, filed its notice of intent with the city Jan. 19. According to co-chairs Eric Budd and Chelsea Castellano, the city came back with some changes, and the campaign submitted its revised language Friday.
Boulder has five days to review and approve it, at which time the campaign can begin collecting signatures.
However, while some have been successful in signing the test petition, many others have been vocal over social media and in emails to the city about their continued inability to use the system. Users report everything from receiving an inexplicable error message to not receiving a follow-up call or text message when going through the two-factor authentication process.
According to those who have tested the system, the most commonly experienced problem occurs when someone has an “unlisted” number on their voter registration. While a person can add a phone number online, it doesn’t change the status, according to Bedrooms representatives. In order to make that change, Budd and Castellano said a person must call the county clerk and physically go into the office.
Bedrooms reports that about half of its volunteers have thus far been unable to sign the test petition, and the majority of the issues can be attributed to an unlisted number.
This is concerning to campaign representatives, who noted the issues create a barrier to entry despite the fact that the system is meant to improve access for all. Budd said Bedrooms volunteers are invested in ensuring their ability to sign the petition, but the average person might not be as willing to go through the process if it’s confusing or difficult.
“The concern is that if we have these kind of issues after our petition launches that, you know, the average person is not going to jump through a lot of hoops to sign a petition online,” Budd said. “It would be a frustrating process for everyone, frankly.”
Castellano and Budd said they view the current issues as far different from what occurred last summer, when the city provided incorrect information that prevented the campaign from making the ballot. They appreciate the city staff’s responsiveness and work to correct the problems ahead of the date when Bedrooms can begin the signature-gathering process.
“At the end of the day, we do have to make sure that, if we use the online system, that it’s going to work in a way that’s going to work for the vast majority of people. Otherwise we’re not going to be successful,” Budd said.
In a news release sent on the day of the launch, Boulder acknowledged that it expected some problems in the initial trial. In addition to allowing petitioners to get comfortable with the new system, the city said the preview also would be valuable to the city and the vendor as a test.
After receiving emails, the city announced its intent to host a virtual meeting Friday but later decided to reschedule to a time when more people could attend.
“Due to the level of interest from many in the community as well as members of council, we feel that it is most appropriate to reschedule this meeting and also provide more public notice to allow additional interested constituents to participate in a public forum,” communications manager Shannon Aulabaugh wrote in an email that the Daily Camera received. “This will also allow additional staff members to be on the call to take questions”
A date for this public forum has not been set, but Aulabaugh confirmed in the email that the city would be in touch early in the upcoming week.
In order to endorse a petition, a person must be eligible to vote in Boulder. The online system also requires an active phone number on a person’s voter registration because the security of the system relies on multifactor authentication, according to a news release. For those uncomfortable with adding their primary phone number to their voter registration, the city recommends setting up a Google Voice phone number or adding a number to their voter registration and removing it after endorsing the petition.
Moving forward, Castellano said the campaign will continue to work with the city in any way it can.
“It’s about expanding access to housing and making some of our currently very exclusionary laws, reforming those to be a more inclusive and welcoming community. If this is what it takes to make that happen, then we’re going to work … to get there,” she said.
"direct" - Google News
January 31, 2021 at 06:02AM
https://ift.tt/36rDAAF
City continues to fine-tune Boulder Direct Democracy Online as some users report inability to use system - Boulder Daily Camera
"direct" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2zVRL3T
https://ift.tt/2VUOqKG
Direct
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "City continues to fine-tune Boulder Direct Democracy Online as some users report inability to use system - Boulder Daily Camera"
Post a Comment