Tag Archives: Peter Shumlin

Automatic voter registration comes to Vermont

local/regional, , ,

For those (like Jon Margolis of VTDigger) who do not believe in the possibility of positive changes in the electoral process, Vermont now has a powerful rejoinder:

Automatic Voter Registration.

While other states are busy finding ways to circumvent the inconvenience of democracy by disenfranchising more and more people, Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin signed into law H.458, which automatically registers to vote any driver in the state who obtains a valid driver’s license.

A measure so simple even a child might suggest it, automatic voter registration tied to driver’s licenses has only so far been adopted in Oregon, California and West Virginia (!)…and now Vermont.

At the signing, Governor Shumlin had this to say about the significance of the bill and the key role that Secretary of State Jim Condos has played in advocating for its adoption:

“While states across the country are making it harder for voters to get to the polls, Vermont is making it easier by moving forward with commonsense polices that remove unnecessary barriers and increase participation in our democracy,” said Gov. Shumlin. “I would like to thank Secretary Condos who has long championed important electoral reforms to help more Vermonters exercise this fundamental right to vote.”

To which Secretary Condos responded:

“As Vermont’s Secretary of State, I believe voting is a sacred right – one we must protect and encourage by removing unnecessary barriers. Automatic Voter Registration saves time and money, increases the accuracy of our statewide voter checklist, curbs the potential for fraud, and protects the integrity of our elections,” said Secretary Condos. “AVR saves time and money, increases the accuracy of our statewide voter checklist, curbs the potential for fraud, and protects the integrity of our elections.”

The most progressive state in the Union, Vermont already enjoys the distinction of being among the states with the highest rate of voter registration, per capita; and has permitted same-day voter registration since 2015.

Even though Automatic Voter Registration will not come into effect until 2017; when it does, it is expected to increase the volume of new voter registrations by 30,000-50,000 within the first four years of its adoption.

Now that really IS change we can believe in.

 

Monroe takes the helm – with a smile!

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A tip of the hat to Michelle Monroe, newly elevated Executive Editor of the St. Albans Messenger.

The April 1 Messenger carried a banner headline: at the urging of his new wife, Peter Shumlin had decided to seek a fourth term!

If I hadn’t just launched my own April Fool’s Day post on GMD, I’d have bought it hook, line, and sinker. It was beautiful in its authenticity! The only tip off was that it was featured as an “Exclusive to the Messenger.”

If Shumlin really was going to run for a fourth term, he would certainly not give the Messenger the exclusive story!

The article explained that, after considering popular wisdom that a governor’s wife didn’t get to see much of her husband, the new Mrs. Shumlin decided that might not be such a bad thing.

Well done, Michelle!

The paper couldn’t be in better hands and I look forward to years of Messenger reporting under Monroe’s  journalistic guidance.

Peter Welch stands with Bernie

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I, like many Vermonters, found Peter Shumlin’s and Pat Leahy’s extremely early endorsement of Hillary Clinton disappointing.

Coming as early as they did, those endorsements rang of quid pro quo for campaign support from the powerful Clinton bloc, or currying political favor with the presumptive nominee.

They also carried the distinct message, “ he’s not with us.”

To some this was an unnecessarily disloyal thing to do, since Bernie Sanders has, with few exceptions, pulled with the Democratic “team” since being sent to Congress, and more than given back to the others’ campaigns from his own well of regional popularity.

I immediately credited Peter Welch for shrewd independence and character under the circumstances.

His endorsement for Bernie coming now, at some distance from Shumlin’s and Leahy’s rush to declare, not only casts a positive light on Welch’s own greater discretion, but it gives him valuable cache amongst the groundswell of young voters who have been attracted to the race in support of Sanders.

Congratulations, Congressman Welch, and thank you for giving me another good reason to celebrate your service to your constituents.

Running under Shumlin’s nose?

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Vermonters probably wouldn’t fault or be shocked by a politician keeping the next campaign never far from his or her mind. And certainly not many would fault an office holder for wanting to keep their face in the spotlight and their ear to the ground listening to the public mood.

However I am left wondering if Vermont Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott hasn’t crafted a highly visible yet stealthy campaign for higher office that operates right under Governor Shumlin’s nose.

Scott’s “Vermont Everyday Jobs” initiative featuring the required Republican heavy emphasis on listening to businesses is designed to:

promote Vermont businesses and highlight the hard work that Vermonters do every day in all areas of our economy. By finding out firsthand, and in a hands-on manner, what it takes to make Vermont businesses work, the Lt. Governor will gain a better understanding of what state government can do to help those businesses work better. The tour will also help to facilitate relationships and ongoing dialogue between Vermont business leaders and their representatives in state government.

It’s hard to miss the genius of what Republican Lt. Governor Phil Scott, who bears more than a passing resemblance to the Discovery Channels’ “Dirty jobs” host Mike Rowe, hit upon with his “Vermont Everyday Jobs” Initiative. It’s a pre-chewed publicity package for cash strapped local media outlets, Facebook and social media. It is as if the last gubernatorial election’s contrived and awkward listening tours by former Lt.Gov.Brian Dubie had evolved legs or wings to emerge from the primordial ooze of past elections as a higher campaign life form to live among us year round.

Scott has so far spent his “Vermont Everyday Jobs” publicity outings gaining a better understanding of being an emergency department worker at a hospital, a worker on an electric utility power line crew, fast lube franchise oil changer, a solar panel assembler and spelling instructor at a K-2 school.

That’s six “Everyday Jobs” events under his belt (about one every 2 weeks) with more likely to follow in a steady series of press releases.   Maybe the concept came to him while watching TV.