It isn't likely to happen for awhile, but on Tuesday, Dec. 3, the Board of Selectmen discussed bringing electronic voting to Town Meeting.

Town Moderator Claire Smith appeared before the board to discuss bringing anonymous electronic voting to Wareham's Town Meeting.

Smith said that while she knows it isn't financially feasible for Wareham to implement the system at this time, she believes it's worth looking into and will be beneficial in the long run.

She recently attended Wayland's Town Meeting, and says she was impressed with how well electronic voting worked.

According to Smith, Framingham and Chelmsford also use an electronic voting system.

"They have been using electronic voting for a couple years now and it works well for them," she said.

Currently, people at Town Meeting vote by holding up cards. Electronic voting would allow for anonymity among voters and ensure accuracy in, for example, measures that require a 2/3 majority to pass.

"I have to tell you, it was very impressive," said Smith. "In observing the way people spoke...generally, you saw an overall calmness to town meeting."

"It will change the dynamics," of Town Meeting if people are able to vote anonymously Smith said.

According to Smith, the system would use radio communication, as opposed to wireless internet, and voters would have a handheld device on which they can press a button to vote yes, vote no or to clear their vote.

There would also be a section set aside for voters who prefer not to use the new technology.

Selectman Alan Slavin commented that business owners have approached him over the years and said they'd feel more comfortable attending Town Meeting if they were allowed to vote anonymously.

"Sometimes votes get controversial," he noted.

Smith agreed that some people would prefer to vote anonymously for a number of reasons.

"I think people would certainly feel much more comfortable," she said.