January 2008 Press Releases

Vermont Secretary of State Deb Markowitz Testifies Before U.S. Senate Special Committee - January 31, 2008
Secretary of State Markowitz discusses the challenges faced by state elections administrators as the U.S. population ages, and provides recommendations to address these needs.

Vermont Secretary of State Deb Markowitz to Testify Before U.S. Senate Special Committee - January 29, 2008
Secretary of State Markowitz will testify before the Special Committee on Aging regarding the impact of the aging U.S. population on the administration of elections.

For Immediate Release
Date:  January 29, 2008 

Contact:  Ginny Colbert
(802) 828-2148

PRESS ADVISORY

 Secretary of State Deb Markowitz to Testify Before U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging

Montpelier, VT  - Vermont Secretary of State Deb Markowitz will testify before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging on Thursday, January 31, 2008, about the impact of the aging population in the United States on the administration of elections.  Markowitz, who is the immediate past president of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) and currently serves on the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s Board of Advisors, will discuss the challenges faced by states and provide recommendations to meet the needs of older voters. 

The Special Committee on Aging has served as a focal point in the Senate for discussion and debate on matters relating to older Americans since its inception in 1961.  The committee reviews the performance of the Medicare system on a regular basis, crusades against fraud within programs on which the elderly depend, and makes recommendations on legislation to the Senate.

The hearing will commence at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 31, 2008 in Room 216 of the Hart Senate Building in Washington, D.C.  To view a live webcast, go to www.aging.senate.gov.

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For Immediate Release:
Date:  January 31, 2008 

Contact:  Ginny Colbert
(802) 828-2148

PRESS RELEASE

 Secretary of State Deb Markowitz Testifies Before
U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging

Washington, D.C.  - Vermont Secretary of State Deb Markowitz testified today before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging about the impact of the aging population in the United States on the administration of elections.  Markowitz, who is the immediate past president of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) and currently serves on the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s Board of Advisors, discussed the challenges faced by states and provided recommendations to meet the needs of older voters.  Markowitz believes this is important as U.S. census data indicates that the number of Americans who are 55 and older will nearly double between 2007 and 2030, from 60 million (20 percent of the population) to 107.6 million (31 percent of the population).   

“There are steps we can take in our states to prepare for the aging of America,” Markowitz said.  Her recommendations include ensuring that elderly voters have access to absentee voting or voting by mail; developing voting technology that permits the elderly to vote privately and independently, even if they have difficulty reading and writing; and exploring new ways to reach voters who are in residential care facilities.   

Markowitz said, “In our states, and as a nation, we must be proactive to ensure that we do not shut older Americans out of the voting process.” 

The Special Committee on Aging, chaired by Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, has served as a focal point in the Senate for discussion and debate on matters relating to older Americans since its inception in 1961.  The committee reviews the performance of the Medicare system on a regular basis, crusades against fraud within programs on which the elderly depend, and makes recommendations on legislation to the Senate.

The full text of Secretary Markowitz’s testimony is available online at http://www.sec.state.vt.us/secdesk/commentary.html

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