With Town Meeting approaching, we thought we'd ask the League of Women Voters about their organization, Town Meeting, and Town Representatives. Gail Cooper was kind enough to answer our questions:
What is the League of Women Voters? What does the group do?
The best way I can answer what the League of Women Voters is, is to quote a flier from the Vermont League of Women Voters. "The League of Women Voters is organized on the local, state and national levels. It is a multi-issue organization whose mission is to encourage the active participation of citizens in government with education and advocacy. The League is always non partisan, and neither supports or opposes political parties or candidates. However, the League encourages members to participate actively in the party or campaign of their choice."
The LWV group in Brattleboro began meeting last April. We have been learning about the positions the national League has taken on various issues and working in committees on projects. One committee put together a flier on Brattleboro town government and Annual Town Meeting, another group is registering voters, a third is collecting information for a Voters Guide on Town Meeting Elections to be published in the Brattleboro Reformer and a fourth is studying renewable energy in Vermont.
Our next meeting is on Tuesday, February 17 at 7:00 pm in the Hannah Cosman Room on the second floor of the Brattleboro Municipal Center. We welcome men as well as women !
What is Town Meeting? What issues does the meeting address?
Brattleboro’s Town Meeting is unique in Vermont. Whereas in most towns, voters convene on the first Tuesday in March (or thereabouts) to vote on town officers, determine the budget for the town, discuss matters of town concern and other public questions, Brattleboro’s Town Meeting takes place in two parts.
How does it work?
On the first Tuesday in March all voters registered in Brattleboro may go to the polls (in the BUHS gym) to vote for town officers and on public questions on an Australian ballot. There is no discussion, people just get a ballot and vote. The town officers on the ballot are: select board, town school board, union high school board, listers, trustees of public funds, constables, grand juror and town meeting representatives.
The public questions are articles which reflect public sentiment such as this year’s resolutions supporting universal health care, and a civilian police board. They are "non binding." There could also be an article to adopt an ordinance - but this rarely happens.
What is a Town Meeting Representative? How does one become a Rep?
On the third Saturday after the election, the Representative Town Meeting convenes (also in the BUHS gym) to discuss and vote on the budget and other matters that may come before it. Anyone may attend this meeting, but only elected Town Meeting Representatives may vote.
Town Meeting Representatives are elected by district for three year terms. Any registered voter may run by getting a petition from the Town Clerk and having it signed by 10 voters in his/her district. The terms of Town Meeting Representatives are staggered so that in any one year there are about 14 Town Meeting Representative positions open in each district.
Is there an easy way to find out who your Rep is?
Voters may call the town clerk's office (254-4541) to find out who the representatives for their district are. It would be good if this information were on the Town of Brattleboro web site - but as far as I know, it’s not.
The Brattleboro Union High School budget is not voted on at Town Meeting, but rather at a BUHS District #6 Annual Meeting on Tuesday, February 10 at 7:00 pm inthe BUHS gym. Any voter in the district may attend and vote at this meeting.
What else should people know about Town Meeting?
The polls will be open from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, March 2. This year the Presidential Primary is held at the same time. The Brattleboro Reformer will publish a Voters Guide for Town Meeting elections which will give select board and school board candidate information. Information on candidates may also be found on this site.
How can people find out more about voting in Brattleboro?
The flier on Brattleboro Town Government & The Annual Town Meeting is available at the Town Clerk’s Office, ALANA, and Brooks Memorial Library. One may register to vote at the Town Clerk’s Office, at Brattleboro Books on Elliot Street or on February 7th and 14th, from 10 am - 12 noon, in the Post Office on Main Street. One must be registered by February 23 to vote in the Town Meeting Day elections.
Thanks for answering our Town Meeting questions.