Politics section
I just received the following solicitation from David Zuckerman’s campaign. Below it is a copy of the email that I sent in response:
On Fri, Oct 9, 2020 at 8:01 AM Emilie, Zuckerman for VT wrote:
Donna,
I have worked with David for many years. Throughout that time, Vermonters have often asked me, “Why doesn’t David cut his hair?”
As a fan of third parties – I think this country desperately needs a third or fourth party – I was thrilled to see the number of candidates for president on the Vermont ballot this year. Twenty one possibilities await the registered Vermont voter.
But who are they?
It’s true that, given the limited extent of impact and damage in Vermont from the virus, Scott has done a proper job. However he only did what any of us would do. If you recall, one of his earliest public statements was that he was in completely uncharted territory with the pandemic. He didn’t know anything more about it than any of us in the state. So he called the state’s medical team together, got a bit of an education and followed their advice. I’d like to think that all of our governors would have done the same. He was very lucky in this particular crisis to have had the federal government step in fairly quickly with a huge cash infusion that gave us all time to understand and assess the situation and choose our actions under less stressed conditions.
Wednesday, October 7
The Secretary of State’s Office advises [1] that if you have not received a ballot in the mail by Oct 7, contact the Town Clerk. In Brattleboro, that would be Town Clerk Hilary Francis. [2]
If you are not registered, you can do so online. [3]
Chris Winters, the Deputy Secretary of State for Vermont spoke on VPR about the process: “When Vermont Towns Should Expect Ballots In The Mail” [4]
Here’s a great explainer [5] on following the instructions to make your vote count!
Vermont citizens can stay informed about the upcoming local and statewide races in Vermont with Brattleboro Community TV’s half-hour interview program “Meet the Candidates 2020”. So far, host Marty Cohn has interviewed Rep. Peter Welch, Christopher Helali, Peter Becker, Lt. Governor David Zuckerman, Emily Peyton, Erynn Hazlett Whitney, Molly Gray, Ralph Corbo, Pamala Smith, Sen. Jeanette White, Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, Richard Morton, and Michelle Bos-Lun. Scheduled for the next two weeks: Auditor Doug Hoffer, Sen. Becca Balint, Marcus Parish, John Lyddy, Rep. Laura Sibilia, Rep. Mollie Burke, and Rep. Mike Mrowicki.
Over the past few weeks, we have seen many landlords taking a stance against the Tenants Union of Brattleboro’s (TUB) recent proposal to limit tenant move-in costs to a maximum of two month’s rent (first month plus security deposit). In a housing shortage that’s only getting worse and an environment where over half of Vermonters are rent burdened, this is an important and simple step toward making housing accessible and affordable for all people in Brattleboro.
Yet, we continually hear confusion from landlords about why we can’t just get along and why they are perceived as “mustache twirling villains”.
Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has Covid-19. That this happened on a full moon was weird, almost spooky and very Octoberish.
I noticed no other omens however. Last night, we watched Stella Dallas on tv and then checked news wherein we saw that Trump was on a short list to have Covid-19. In one of those “this changes everything” ways, that news instantly blew up all conventional thinking about everything. Not that it was unexpectable — but definitely unexpected. We were expecting him to try to keep the White House by force, not catch Covid and potentially die. Like I said, Octoberish.
Good morning,
Below is information that might be helpful to know for the November 3rd General Election.
Due to the pandemic, there is no in-person early voting in Brattleboro. However, all active registered voters were automatically mailed a ballot. Please make sure to follow the instructions included with your ballot, including SIGNING THE CERTIFICATE ENVELOPE and making sure your ballot is INSIDE that envelope. Please use a BLACK PEN OR PENCIL to mark your ballot. DO NOT USE A MARKER as it can bleed through to the back of your ballot and require you to need a replaced ballot. If you have not received your ballot, or if you have any questions about your ballot, please call the Town Clerk’s office at 251-8157.
Two nights ago, at the first 2020 U.S. Presidential debate, Americans of all political leanings should be alarmed and sickened by the spectacle that was Donald Trump. Trump, when asked point blank if he condemns white supremacists, refused; instead he told an armed neo-fascist organization to “stand-by.” He further verbalized a series of lies seeking to undermine confidence in the U.S. election system. Together these assertions give strong inclination that Trump expects to lose the popular vote & the electoral college, to be defeated by Joe Biden, and yet to position himself in a way that will allow him a public argument as to why he must remain in power. Never in modern U.S. history has such an extreme rightwing Presidential candidate come so close as to telegraph a coup.
Democratic candidate Joe Biden, for his part called for massive re-investment in America’s infrastructure, building out our renewable energy production, for the creation of millions of new prevailing wage jobs, and for a collective effort to find redress to systemic racism. Biden, who is endorsed by the National AFL-CIO, presently leads Trump in national polls by 6.4%.
Candidates are lined up on the voting ballot to compete for Vermont Secretary of State:
Do we need to vote for a new Treasurer for the State of Vermont? Is the current State Treasurer actually admitting she’s having a hard time? Is ten years of her control over our taxpayer dollars enough?
If you always vote with your political party line, if they have you like a fish, hook-line-and sinker, then don’t cry when the sinker
takes you down.
Here are the candidates running for the office of State Treasurer on the statewide ballot for the Nov. 3, 2020 election. Voting has begun.
Let’s pick apart a few huge differences between Lieutenant Governor candidates!
Cris Ericson, Molly Gray, Scott Milne and two other candidates are on the ballot for Lieutenant Governor. Mr Billado and Mr. Corbo do not have websites, but you can call or email them.
It is actually important to know something about the people we are voting for or against.
In the State of Vermont, ten year incumbent Auditor of Accounts, Doug Hoffer (D/R) is on the Nov. 3, 2020 election ballot for BOTH the Democrats and the Republicans.
He has only one opposing candidate on the ballot running against him, Progressive Party candidate, Cris Ericson (P).
Doug Hoffer, as the current Vermont State Auditor, sits on the Audit Committee of the University of Vermont which is SELF-AUDITING. How on earth can that be, when UVM, University of Vermont, receives about 44 million dollars of Vermont taxpayers’ money every year?
According to their recent press release, the Brattleboro Food Co-op will be participating in National Voter Registration Day on Sept 22. They’ll be in front of the Co-op from 10 am – 2 pm with both paper and touchless options for those who would like to register to vote. Staff are being trained by the Brattleboro Town Clerk.
Says the Co-op: “Did you know that 1 in 4 people are not registered to vote? Did you know that many young folks, people who have moved and those who recently changed their name have issues with registering?”
The Co-op plans to do its bit in this annual effort to help people register to vote.
Hi! I’m on the Nov. 3, 2020 official election ballot! I am on the ballot for 5 statewide offices which no one ran against me for, no one opposed me. The Nov. 3, 2020 official candidate list is on the VT Secretary of State website.
https://sos.vermont.gov/elections/election-info-resources/
ALL NEW VIDEOS!!! If you thought I really spoke my mind out loud before, wait till you hear what I have to say now!
9/4/20, Montpelier, Vermont – The Executive Board of the Vermont AFL-CIO, representing 10,000 Union members across the Green Mountain State, have unanimously voted to recommend the entire Progressive Party slate for the 2020 VT House & Senate elections. This unprecedented General Election move highlights an emerging solidarity and coordination between the Vermont AFL-CIO and the Vermont Progressive Party on the Vermont Left.
Vermont AFL-CIO President David Van Deusen States: “As we continue to struggle through the pandemic, the continuing economic crisis, systemic racism, attacks on the working class, and a rise of neo-fascism on the national stage, it is clear that politics-as-usual is insufficient in addressing the dire challenges that we are facing. We cannot mitigate a new economic depression through more austerity and cuts. Rather we must seek bold systemic solutions both to racism and economic hardships. The Vermont Progressive Party has time and again been a reliable ally in this fight. We know that with a strong Progressive presence in the Vermont General Assembly, with Progressive David Zuckerman as our next Governor, we will be well-positioned to implement a Union-led Green New Deal. The Progressives have stood by us on Card Check and on every issue we have given priority to in 2019-2020. In turn, we know our 10,000 Union members are ready to stand with the Vermont Progressive Party. Together we can and must build a movement capable of delivering a Vermont whereby the needs of working people come first.”
Labor Day is Monday, and mail-in or drop-off ballots for the November election will be sent to all registered voters well in advance of the election. If you are not registered to vote in Vermont, you can do so online at olvr.vermont.gov any time of day. If you are registered, it’s probably a good idea to go check your registration status at the same web address to verify your voter information so as to ensure that your ballot is delivered to you.
Be a good citizen, and then relax and enjoy the day.
Many Americans harbor a mix of fear and superstition when it comes to talking about a world where Donald Trump is no longer president. Our worst fears were realized when he was elected in 2016 and it just didn’t seem possible that such a flawed human being could win an election. But it happened, and too many of us are living in fear of the possibility of another four years of misery.
It might be best for us to move past the fear and superstition and start to talk publicly about what a world without Trump would look like. Instead of listening to the back and forth accusations between Trump and Biden and having to swim in the cesspool that political debate is mired in, we can make an effort to change the discussion.
Dear Brattleboro Voter,
For the November 3, 2020 Presidential Election, you will be receiving an absentee ballot. This ballot will also contain on the reverse the local Justice of the Peace ballot.
I strongly urge you to review the ballot, make your choices and return it to the Clerk’s Office as soon as possible.
There is a secure drop box in the Municipal Center parking lot where voters themselves, or a friend or family member may return their ballot in the signed certificate envelope that will be sent with the ballot.
Good evening,
Please see here for the “unofficial results” for Brattleboro’s State Primary election. These are the results from the ballot tallies, not including write-in votes, and not including other towns’ results for the Primary races.
Thanks to the amazing poll workers and the American Legion who made today possible! Considering our number of absentee voters, we had a lot of voters coming through the doors, and record voter participation for a state-wide primary. The day was smooth and safe!
