Your 2026 Compliance Checklist: What Clerks Should Prioritize First
Local governments face a growing list of digital and accessibility requirements, and 2026 is one of the busiest years yet. Instead of scrambling to interpret new rules or rushing to update your website at the last minute, you can take a steady, organized approach to compliance.
Here is a simple checklist designed for clerks and administrators who want to start the year strong and stay ahead of every major deadline.
1. Confirm State Specific Deadlines First
Several states have requirements taking effect in 2026. These need attention early in the year since many of them affect how you manage your website and official communications.
Minnesota: .gov domain required by June 1, 2026
Clerks managing absentee voting must use a .gov domain. If you have not started the approval process, now is the best time to do it. The adoption period can take weeks, so early action helps avoid a stressful spring.
New Jersey: Legal notices must be published on your official website starting March 1, 2026
This requirement applies to public entities statewide. Clerks need a predictable process for posting notices quickly and keeping them organized.
If your current website makes posting difficult or inconsistent, this is one of the first areas to address. You can review Munibit’s Notices tool to see how automated posting and archiving works.
New York and Ohio: .gov website domain and email addresses
Although these rules took effect in December 2025, many clerks are still transitioning. A short website audit and domain check in early 2026 ensures you start the year fully aligned.
2. Review Your Website’s Accessibility Status
WCAG AA 2.1 will apply nationwide in 2027 for populations under 50,000, but the preparation window is NOW. Updating your website gradually throughout 2026 helps you avoid a heavy lift next year.
What to review right away:
• Page structure consistency
• Readability and color contrast
• Keyboard navigation
• Document library accessibility
• Image alt text patterns
• How forms and calendars function for residents with assistive devices
If your current website doesn’t have the required accessibility framework, it’s best to find a platform that already has it built in. For example, Munibit builds all municipal websites using WCAG 2.1 guidelines to support better compliance.
3. Evaluate How You Publish Public and Legal Notices
This year is a major shift for municipalities that need to move more notices online. Even outside of NJ, many states are updating their digital transparency expectations.
Ask yourself:
• Can you publish notices quickly without help from IT
• Are notices archived and searchable
• Can residents easily find required postings
• Does your current website meet your state’s format expectations
If the answer is no to any of these, upgrading your workflow should be near the top of your list.
Explore Munibit’s Notices for automated posting, sorting, and resident friendly visibility.
4. Check Your .gov Domain Status
A .gov domain improves trust and strengthens security, and states are beginning to require it for specific duties.
If you already use a .gov domain, review these items:
• Are all department emails using it
• Is every redirect set up correctly
• Are public links consistent across your website
If you have not switched yet, consider applying early or partnering with a provider like Munibit to get it setup for you. The application is free for government entities, and your website provider can help with DNS changes.
5. Prepare Your Website for Faster Resident Communication
Compliance is not only about meeting requirements. It is also about reducing risk, improving communication, and saving time.
Clerks can ease their workload by adding tools that support better transparency and faster updates.
Helpful time saving tools include:
• Alerts for emergency or time sensitive updates
• Notices for legal and public postings
• Search tools that help residents find information on their own
• AI Chatbot that answer common questions anytime
6. Plan a Mid Year Accessibility and Compliance Check
Instead of reviewing everything once a year, plan a mid year evaluation:
• Is your website meeting WCAG recommendations
• Are notices posted consistently
• Has your state released new requirements
• Are residents finding what they need without calling the office
• Does your website platform need a visual update
Even a short review helps you correct issues before they become urgent.
Final Thoughts
Compliance is easier when you break it into manageable steps. By focusing on early deadlines, improving your legal and public notices workflow, preparing for WCAG accessibility changes, and strengthening your website foundation, your municipality can stay aligned with state and federal expectations throughout 2026.
If you ever reach a point where your website tools slow you down, you can explore Munibit’s website platform with full suite of built-in tools to simplify posting, communication, accessibility, and resident engagement.
Schedule a quick walkthrough here: www.munibit.com/schedule-demo
TL;DR - Your 2026 Compliance Checklist: What Clerks Should Prioritize First
2026 brings several important website related requirements for municipalities. Clerks in MN and NJ should focus first on deadlines to confirm their .gov status, review how they publish notices, and start preparing now for the upcoming WCAG AA 2.1 guidelines. This checklist walks through the most important steps to take early in the year and includes tools that can help make the process easier.