2004
Commentary
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Commentary
Touch Screen Voting - February 2004
After Town Meeting
the Real Work Begins - February 2004
Register Your High School
Seniors Before It's Too Late -
May 2004
It's
Time to Teach Our Children the Value of Voting
-
August 2004
Disability
Etiquette Guide Helps Government Better Serve People with Disabilities
- August 2004
Opinion Editorial: February 2004
Touch Screen Voting
Deborah Markowitz, Secretary of State
As Secretaries of State, my job is to ensure that
the Vermont elections run smoothly, that voters have a convenient way to
cast their ballots, and that, at the end of the day, all of the votes
are accurately counted. Because I take seriously the need to ensure
public confidence in our voting systems, I believe that the mechanisms
of voting must not only be reliable and secure, but they also must be
transparent.
Recent changes in
technology have created new methods for voters to cast their ballots, and some
of these have been controversial. I firmly believe that if touch screen or
direct recording technology (DRE) is to be used, then there has to be a
voter-verified paper trail.
We recognize that
computerized voting offers a tremendous convenience to many voters. DRE
machines make it easy to offer ballots in different languages and allow visually
impaired voters to vote privately and independently. They also make it quick
and easy to tally and report the results of elections. Nonetheless, without a
paper trail this election technology lacks the transparency necessary for voter
confidence. Further, it is vulnerable to error and fraud.
Many states have rushed to implement electronic voting. That is because of new
federal mandates that were laid out in the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), which
was sweeping election reform legislation designed to prevent the 2000 General
Election debacle from reoccurring. Under HAVA, older and unreliable voting
machines, such as those used in Florida, must be replaced by this next
election. By January 2006, touch-screen machines or another voting technology
must be available at each polling place to accommodate those with disabilities
to ensure that they can vote privately and independently.
As Secretary of State, I
believe DREs can someday be an important tool to enhance American democracy in
the 21st century, but two essential conditions must first be met:
* First, DREs must be
fitted with the capacity to deliver a paper record of each vote. Voters can
check the paper record to ensure that the machine is recording their vote
accurately. Election officials will be able to keep paper records for backup,
for audits and to help settle disputed elections
* Second, DREs must operate
on “open source” software. At a minimum, DRE software must be deposited in
escrow with election officials so that the integrity of DRE programming can be
verified, and problems and disputes can be resolved in a timely manner.
Many states and counties
will be making decisions in the weeks and months ahead about which voting
technology to purchase. I was please to see that California has insisted on
requiring voter-verified paper records.
California and Vermont may
be on opposite sides of the country, but we share many things in common. We know
how important it is for citizens to feel confident about the mechanisms of
democracy. Let’s unite to make sure American democracy remains an exemplar for
the world.
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Opinion Editorial:
February 2004
After Town Meeting the Real Work Begins
Deborah Markowitz, Secretary of State
“The punishment suffered by those who refuse to
take part in the government, is to live under the government of bad
men.” – Plato.
Plato’s words are as true today as they were in 340bc. In
Vermont we understand this -- we are proud of our strong communities and long
tradition of participation. It is no wonder that we are one of the last
remaining places in the nation to decide local issues and set municipal budgets
at a meeting of the voters.
Vermont town meeting gives voters a unique opportunity to
take part in the government of the town. But to be effective you must be
prepared!
A great first step is to take a close look at your town
report. The town report can tell you a good deal about what to expect at your
town meeting. It includes the warning –the official agenda of the meeting. The
warning lists the issues that will be discussed and acted on by the meeting.
Reports from the town officers explain what has gone on in the town over the
past year and may suggest what is planned for the future. Finally, a close look
at the budget (what is proposed to be spent in the coming year) and the audit
report (what was actually spent in the prior year) lets you assess whether the
town is spending your money wisely and whether you agree with the priorities for
the coming year.
The second step in preparing for town meeting is to get to
know the basic rules governing the procedure of the meeting. A good moderator
helps ensure that the meeting is fair and that everyone who wishes gets an
opportunity to speak; but if you take some time to understand Roberts Rules of
Order beforehand it can make a real difference in your effectiveness. I
recommend you start by reading a short publication by the Vermont Institute of
Government, This Meeting Will Come to Order – A Voter’s Guide To Town
Meeting Procedure available on line at
http://crs.uvm.edu/citizens/ or at
your local library. Of course, when you do speak it is important to keep your
message direct and simple, and to avoid getting personal even in the event of a
heated debate.
Finally, before going to your town meeting it is good to
take a minute to review who-is-who in town government. Town meeting is a good
time for us to show our appreciation for those who work hard for us all year:
the volunteers who serve on our boards and commissions, the folks who work in
the town offices, our road crews and the people who manage our parks. There is
no better way to make a difference in our communities than by saying thanks to
those who serve – except perhaps by taking a turn in office ourselves!
For more information about getting involved in your Town
Meeting contact your town clerk’s office, or call the Secretary of State at
802-828-2148.
Town meeting may be a piece of our past, but it is still
shaping our future. So, make a difference in your community and go to Town
Meeting!
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Opinion Editorial:
May 2004
Register Your High School Seniors Before It’s Too Late
Deborah Markowitz, Secretary of State
Consider this national
statistic: 80% of 80-year-olds vote while only 20% of 20 year-olds vote.
Vermont’s high schools have
precious few days left to influence our graduating seniors. This spring, as we
get ready to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating classes and send
them off into the world as young adults, let’s remind them about one of the most
important responsibilities of our democracy -- voting. The activities
surrounding the end of the school year provide a great opportunity to welcome
our seniors into adulthood by registering them to vote.
Here in Vermont we have
one of the highest voter participation rates in the country. But what most
Vermonters don’t know is that turnout among our young adults lags behind the
rest of the nation. Vermont’s youngest citizens are opting out.
Vermont’s young adults
give many reasons for not voting. Some say they don’t know how voting relates
to their lives, often explaining that the candidates and campaigns don’t speak
to their issues. Still others say that they don’t understand how it all works.
But the most common answer is that they weren’t registered to vote.
Registering to vote is the
most crucial initial step to becoming an involved citizen in our democracy, but
it’s not as easy as just filling out a form. Vermont’s constitution requires a
person to take a "voter’s oath." A notary public or justice of the peace must
give this oath. Students who forget to register and take the oath prior to
leaving the state for college, the military or employment find themselves unable
to vote in the November election. They cannot simply register and then vote by
mail, as other states would allow. This makes registering our seniors before
they graduate very important.
This year the Secretary of
State’s office has designated the week of May 24th – 28th
High School Voter Registration Week. During this week, we are asking schools
across Vermont to register their high school seniors. Vermont’s town clerks and
Board of Civil Authority members are helping out by making themselves available
to help run the registration drives and administer the oath to eligible
students.
We know that many of our
youth are truly committed to improving our country and re-energizing our
democracy. We also know that the young adults who graduate from our high schools
and colleges today will be the political leaders of the future. Let’s help them
get off to a good start by making sure that they are registered to vote before
they leave school.
For more information about
High School Voter Registration Week or to download Vermont’s voter registration
form visit the Secretary of State’s website
govotevermont.com or call us at
800-439-8683.
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Opinion Editorial:
August 2004
It's Time to Teach Our Children the Value of Voting
Deborah Markowitz, Secretary of State
For
the many Vermonters whose lives are organized around the school calendar
September is the beginning of a new year. Parents and kids get ready for the
school year by shopping for notebooks, binders and backpacks, teachers prepare
their classrooms, and coaches work to get their teams into shape for the fall
season. This year, when our kids go back to school they will be studying more
than reading, writing and arithmetic. Many of our schools will be teaching what
it takes to be good citizens in our democracy by participating in
Vermont Votes For Kids.
Vermont Votes For Kids is a free civics program
offered by the Secretary of State’s Office. It is designed to
help students learn about government and politics; and develop practical
skills of information gathering and decision making. Students also get hands on
experience on Election Day by voting in a mock election.
Our democracy, like our schools, needs constant nurturing.
We have learned that a person who fails to learn the lessons of citizenship
while in school is unlikely to understand how or why it is important to
participate later in life. With the latest census figures showing that our
youngest citizens voted at an anemic 19% in the last election it is more
important than ever to teach our children the importance of voting before they
turn 18.
Among the top reasons young people cite for not voting are
schools that no longer teach the importance of civic participation, parents who
do not discuss voting with their children, and a lack of understanding of how
the actual process of casting a ballot works. Vermont Votes for Kids was
developed in response to this feedback. It provides an experiential learning
program for kindergarten through high school that encourages parents and
students to discuss voting together as it culminates in a mock election in
school or at the polling place. (Indeed, we have seen in past elections that
when a school holds a mock election in the polling place there is a greater
voter turnout among the parents of those children!)
This year the Vermont Votes for Kids curriculum
will be supplemented by a six-week Democracy in Action Newspaper in
Education series that will be made available through a partnership with
Vermont’s daily newspapers. Democracy in Action topics include who can
vote, how to research candidates and evaluate advertisements, how the Electoral
College works, and how young people can make a difference.
We all know that education doesn’t stop when we
finish school. Like education -- civic involvement is a life long learning
experience. It is the Vermont school kids of today who are going to be our
legislators and governors of tomorrow. We know from experience that it is
important to plant the seed of civic responsibility early!
To find out more about Vermont Votes for Kids or to
get your school involved in this important program visit
www.vermontvotesforkids.com or
call the Secretary of State’s Office at 1-800-439-VOTE.
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Disability Etiquette Guide Helps Government
Better Serve People with Disabilities
Deborah Markowitz, Secretary of State
Census figures show that nearly 17% of all Vermonters have some sort of
disability. These disabilities vary greatly. Some are very visible – like
those requiring a person to use a wheel chair, a guide dog or a walker. Other
disabilities, like many cognitive disabilities, are invisible, but can make
communication especially challenging.
Since the passage of the
Americans With Disabilities Act government and businesses have become
increasingly mindful of the need to widen doorways, add ramps, and clear
pathways to ensure that people with disabilities can get in to receive
services, conduct business and to work. However, for many people with
disabilities getting through the door is least concern. The barriers
faced by people with disabilities are often much more subtle.
The most difficult barriers for people with disabilities
to overcome are often the the attitudes and
behaviors of others.
Many people, even those with the
best intentions, do not always know how to treat a person who is disabled. To
help in this effort the Secretary of State’s Office has recently issued a new
brochure entitled “Disability Etiquette, a Guide to Respectful Communication.”
Some of the tips included in the
brochure are as follows:
1.
Treat people with disabilities with the same respect and consideration
you have for everyone else. Find a topic of small talk the way you would with
anyone. Don’t assume the disability is all that person can talk about or is
interested in.
2.
Use a normal voice when saying hello. Don’t raise your voice unless
requested.
3.
When you meet someone, extend your hand to shake it if that is what you
normally do. A person who cannot shake hands will let you know, but he/she will
appreciate being treated in a normal way.
4.
Do not automatically give assistance. Ask first if the person wants
help. Many disabled people will be grateful for an offer of help. If your
offer of assistance is accepted, listen to or ask for instructions.
5.
Talk directly to the person, not to an aide, friend or interpreter. It
is important to make eye contact. If you don’t understand someone, ask the
person to repeat it. Sometimes it takes repeated attempts at listening or
speaking. If the person uses a wheelchair, sit down yourself (if possible) and
converse at the same level.
6.
Guide dogs and other service animals should not be pet or touched
without specific permission.
While awareness of disability
issues has increased over the last decade, and people with disabilities feel
more optimistic about the future, significant barriers to equality remain.
It is my hope that the Disability Etiquette, a Guide to Respectful
Communication will help government officials, employees and others who work
with the public better serve all of our citizens, regardless of disability.
To order copies of Disability
Etiquette, a Guide to Respectful Communication contact the Secretary of
State’s office at
salberghini@sec.state.vt.us or call (802) 828-2148. View the
complete brochure at
www.sec.state.vt.us/municipal/pubs/disability.html
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