A Yankee Tradition…

What Is Town Meeting Day?

When Vermonters go to the polls next Tuesday, the presidential primary won’t be the only reason to cast a ballot. Vermont law requires that each city and town hold a town meeting to discuss and approve the town’s business for the up coming year.

Town meetings have been a part of Vermont politics since 1762, and haven’t changed much over the years. Each town has a designated meeting place and a “warned” agenda of items. This warning is posted 30 days before town meeting day outlining what items will be voted on and discussed.

Each town runs its meeting a little differently, but the structure of the meeting is relatively the same. Every town selects a moderator who runs the meeting and controls discussion on specific items. Issues range from school budgets and funding municipal projects, to non-binding resolutions,

Town officials are also elected on meeting day.  Cities and towns in Vermont are run by Select boards or City Councils, as well as town clerks and treasurers all of whom are elected on the first Tuesday in March.

Democracy At Work…

Town meeting gives each and every voter the chance to voice their opinions on the day’s topics.  All voters registered in their hometown are allowed to attend and participate in the meeting. Many meetings are still run as floor meetings, where voice votes and hand counts are used to resolve issues.

Other towns use Australian or secret ballot to vote on initiatives and legislation being proposed.

The beauty of town meeting is in the equity of voice granted to each individual.  An eighteen year old attending his first meeting and perhaps voting for the first time has every right to stand up and share his opinion with the most powerful people in the community, and perhaps persuade his neighbors one way or the other. Farmers and doctors, lawyers and waiters all granted equal time and stature; in a world full of politics run by money and high-powered fund media advisors, town meeting is a breath of fresh air.

This Year’s Meeting: Democrats Have An Edge...

With John McCain all but anointed as the Republican nominee and the Democratic primary neck-and-neck,

many expect Democrats to dominate town meeting this year. Former Speaker of the House, Republican Walt Freed told the Burlington Free Press, "I expect you'll see a turnout for the Democrats that's three or four times as much as the Republicans in the primary."

With more at stake at Town Meeting that simply primary delegates, the huge democratic turn out could mean one-sided decisions on many ballot initiatives. Most importantly, school budgets, which are funded by property taxes, could pass with very little opposition, forcing already high property taxes even higher.

Both Sen. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have invested money and media in Vermont hoping to grab as many delegates as possible. And while the biggest prizes next week will undoubtedly be Ohio and Texas; with only four states on tap, Vermont and Rhode Island will certainly enjoy their time in the spot light.  

Watch Next Week!

With Vermont’s primary playing a real role in this years presidential contests, check back next week for full coverage from around the state including the results of what may be the most important day of primaries yet.