I have just read the messages re: election legislation. I ask a very
pointed question.
When are we going to stop "coddling" the voter who could  care less about
the privilege of voting. The legislators try everything they possibly can
to get
the vote out. However, it clearly does not work. But it certainly gives the
election
official (namely us) something new to think about and worry about and be
there
to implement the new law.
Perhaps we can next have them "phone in their choice" and we can mark the
ballot - sounds far out doesn't it - but if you really look at it
realistically - that is
where we are headed. Come on - can't people take responsibility to exercise
their right and privilege!!!!!  Yet we look at apathetic society that
mistrusts
government and feel their vote does not make a difference.
Education about voting - elections - might be the answer to this dilemna.
Stress upon our students that this is America and we are so fortunate
to live in this country and have the right to vote.
Perhaps my response sounds harsh - but don't you all think that this
is the case. Legislators try to do everything they can to enable the
citizen to vote,  yet the bill is passed and  we are the ones to make
it accessible - but it still does not work, voter turnout is still low.

Mary Zuber - Hinesburg

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> From: Barbara Oles <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: ELECTION lEGISLATION
> Date: Thursday, March 11, 1999 12:01 PM
>
> John, Is this legislation proposing that the deadline for absentee
ballots
> be until the opening of the polls, if voted by the individual BCA's?;
>
> Or, is it stating that they must still request by 5PM the day before, but
> may vote the next day before the polls open?
>
> This sounds like they are still leaving it up to the individual Board's
by
> using may, which I agree with.  Every town's circumstances as to place
> where voting occurs is different and their process for preparing must
> coincide with the facility they will be using.
>
> If someone complains about being able to vote in my town, I strongly
> encourage them to vote absentee.  Once educated to this process, they can
> use it to their convenience and they do.
>
> My polls open at 10:00 am and I have very few people who come in before
> that.  If they do, they come back during the polling hours.  I would have
> no problem being able to offer them an absentee ballot at that point, but
> would not like it restricted to a particular hour as I do not always get
to
> the polling place by 7 am.  I am between the office and the polling place
> getting ready.  My BCA does not participate during the election day so I
am
> the sole person representing the BCA until that evening when they come to
> count ballots.
>
> Voting is a privilege as well as a right and I feel the law as it is now
> allows them that privilege.
>
> I have been here 15 years and when there is a heated issue or contest,
> there is a heavy turn out.  When there is not, the voting is light.  It
has
> nothing to do with the accessibility.
>
>
> If they subdivide the checklist it would probably help in the
percentages.
> You could keep the count differently.  As it is now, we all have inflated
> checklists, because people are gone from town and probably voting
> elsewhere, but have not been taken off our checklist because of this law
or
> not receiving the confirmation of reregistration from another entity.
>
>
>
>
>
> At 12:27 PM 3/10/99 -0500, you wrote:
> >        Legislation is being drafted reference to absentee ballots : (b)
> >In a political subdivision in which the polls open later than seven a.m.
> >voters may if the board of civil authority so votes, apply in person at
> >the polling place for absentee ballots between the hours of seven a/m.
> >and the time the polls open. In this case the presiding officer or
> >designee shall furnish the ballots when a valid application for early
> >voter absentee ballots is received. The applicant shall mark his or her
> >ballots, seal them in the envelope, sign the certificate and return the
> >ballots in the sealed envelope to the presiding officer or designee,
> >without leaving the polling placed.
> >                The board of civil authority may subdivide the checklist
> >into lists of active and inactive voters.The list of inactive voters
> >shall contain the names and addresses of voters who failed to respond to
> >the notice sent pursuant to subdivision (d) (3) of section 2150 of this
> >title, whose names have not been removed from the checklist. The names
of
> >the remaining voters shall be included in the list of active voters.
> >        We need to know your feelings about these drafts as soon as
> >possible .
> >
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