A time of relief and reflection

A mountain view from Howe Hill Road in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

For many Americans, the prevailing feeling over the weekend was one of relief, after the 2020 presidential race was called for Joe Biden on Saturday and supporters celebrated throughout the country.

A record 75.5 million voters brought in the victory for Biden and Kamala Harris, who became the first woman and the first person of color to be elected vice president. The announcement struck an emotional chord for many, including CNN commentator Van Jones, a Black man and a father, who tearfully expressed relief at the Democratic victory on Saturday. During his moving remarks, he alluded to the increased racism minorities around the country have felt during their lives over the past four years. Media outlets have reported that Black voters were essential to Biden's success over Republican President Donald Trump in battlegrounds like Pennsylvania and Georgia.

"It's a vindication for a lot of people who have really suffered," Jones said on CNN, reacting to the result.

He also mentioned George Floyd, the Black man who died under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer earlier this year while saying he couldn't breathe. The killing sparked worldwide protests against racial injustice, and also shone a spotlight on the struggles of people of color in the U.S.

"You know 'I can't breathe' — that wasn't just George Floyd. That was a lot of people who felt they couldn't breathe," Jones said. "You're waking up every day and you're getting these tweets ... and you're going to the store, and people who have been afraid to show their racism are getting nastier and nastier to you."

While there are different views on the election result, Jones noted "for a whole lot of people, it's a good day."

"This is a big deal, for us to be able to get some peace, and have a chance for a reset," Jones said.

He also brought up character, saying the outcome showed the character of the nation still mattered. Indeed, preserving the values of decency, empathy and compassion were frequently brought up during the Biden campaign, as values that still represent the American people. Those qualities were often mentioned in the context of building unity, a theme often emphasized by the president-elect, who has pledged to work for supporters and non-supporters alike.

Clearly, the election victory was a major one, though sharp divides remain throughout the country. That makes unity-building hugely important, especially since 71 million people voted for Trump — and some of them continue to support the president's legal challenges in battleground states.

Thankfully, the election moved forward in a peaceful manner, when many were worried it may not. It's important to recognize the incredible dedication of election workers — who will likely face the task of recounts in Georgia and Pennsylvania. The voters showed up in historic numbers, and by doing so, they showed this all-important institution of voting is alive and well.

Beyond the vote, the next way to strengthen our country is to begin to heal it. On Saturday after the Biden-Harris victory was declared, Republican Vermont Gov. Phil Scott congratulated the winners and supported their efforts to heal divisions.

He urged everyone to "rise above the anger and divisiveness" and focus on our common humanity.

“We can start by treating those with whom we disagree on public policy or politics with dignity and respect, knowing vigorous debate can still be civil," he said. "We can listen to, and learn from, others — putting ourselves in another person’s shoes. And we can work to find common ground rather than creating conflict."

Scott described perfectly what must happen to heal division: local action. National unity can't be built without individual Americans deciding they're going to engage in the work as well. That includes learning, and specifically, learning from people of different backgrounds and listening to their views before forming a conclusion. Now is an important time to begin those efforts toward listening, gaining understanding and laying a foundation for progress. Together, we can calm and leaven the national conversation, and lift it to a higher place where people want to participate in solutions. That will go a long way toward addressing key issues, like systemic racism, and bringing Americans together for the greater good.

— Gareth Henderson

Adding certainty to the equation

The setting sun brightens trees along Fletcher Schoolhouse Road in Woodstock. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Certainty has been in short supply this year, but one important thing in this country remains certain: our natural tendency toward unity.

Even amid all the political furor and the pandemic, that essential quality of unity can still gain momentum through the good expressed in this world. One proof of that was the many young people in the U.S. who volunteered to be election workers for the first time. Along with that, election workers in general have demonstrated great professionalism and poise as they've diligently forged ahead with their work, including in battleground states where they face immense political pressure. They're working steadfastly for the greater good, and that should inspire the rest of us to do the same, whether it's through civic engagement or a different avenue.

Indeed, that engagement is more important than ever, to ensure that every vote is counted and the integrity of the system protected. Election officials in key battleground states are saying the process is working. The process of receiving and counting mail-in ballots is the same one that's been used for absentee ballots for years, said Kathy Boockvar, Pennsylvania's secretary of state, in a news conference Thursday evening.

"The strength of the integrity of this vote is really unparalleled," she said.

As legal challenges in these battlegrounds persist and the presidential race tightens, we can confidently know that the integrity built into the system will be sustained as counting continues. That virtue endures and reflects the enduring spirit of our democracy, its foundational strength, wisdom and poise in the face of adversity. Moving forward with that basis, we can remain vigilant and demand to see progress continue. That collective purpose is an important way to drive the unity-building we greatly need as a people. Maintaining the bedrock of our democracy is a powerful goal, and working together, nothing can stand in our way. Of that, I'm certain.

— Gareth Henderson

Building strength through patience

Geese take a dip near High Pastures Road in Pomfret, Vermont, in October. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As I drove along Route 4 in Woodstock late Wednesday afternoon, Mother Nature was a model of peace, calm, and settled radiance, as the setting sun's soft yellow light illuminated the trees alongside the road. Though so much has changed this year, some of the steady markers of life remind us how brilliant the world still is.

Obviously, scenes like that sunlight filling the woods are a great contrast to the tension and furor of a hotly contested election. We've seen many of those feelings throughout the year, and especially over the last several weeks.

Another trend in recent days has been the appeals for patience, as votes are counted in battleground states. These days, that particular virtue takes work, and we all know that feeling of grasping for patience and calm when they seem in short supply.

But the reality is, we each have those good qualities in abundance, just like the neighborly virtues we saw in action around the country earlier this year, when so many people united to confront challenges amid the pandemic. That pattern of kindness has continued throughout these months, and we can still harness those qualities to remain calm and vigilant this week. That's the only way to confront any fear or anxiety we may feel.

Even as a small group of battleground states continue to count votes, we can't forget the inspiration of seeing so many early voters determined to take part in this historic election. That showed our strong, collective dedication to that larger cause: the country as a whole. It was a clear sign that Americans can still work together for the greater good if they're compelled to do so.

As we continue what could be a long week, let's keep unity foremost in our minds, and continue to work toward building it among our neighbors and communities, step by step. We've been blessed with having a peaceful vote thus far, and we can still harness that momentum for the greater good, as we remain patient, loving and vigilant during this process. We can help each other embrace those qualities, be guided by them, and walk this path together in strength.

— Gareth Henderson

The election we control

A stone wall near the Woodstock-Pomfret town line on River Road. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Well before this momentous week got started, the choices for president in 2020 were very clear, and political leanings well established. But those aren't the only choices we get today.

In fact, we'll have choices every moment leading up to when the polls close, and long, long after Tuesday night. Each moment, we have an opportunity to elect how we will approach the times we're in, and reject what distracts us from those values. Whatever noise we may be hearing from the political realm, we can choose to walk the steady path of caring for our fellow humans, and encouraging others to do so.

Through social media, we've all seen hate compel people to display words, images or video footage meant to tear someone else down. That's become a tired habit, one we're all too familiar with. Starting right now, we can jointly make the choice to go against that popular grain, and build each other up. If we each embrace being an influence for good, that can provide an avenue for people to work together on important issues and cultivate the progress this country needs.

With that approach comes another very important benefit: an emphasis on progress, not on our differences. Many times this year, our differences have been used to divide us, and this stokes fear and distracts good people from working together. If we make the effort to find common ground, we can turn the tide and move forward in a more productive direction.

In the next 24 hours, we'll surely be tempted to give in to that all-too-familiar swell of emotions, in this challenging political atmosphere. But we have the power and fortitude to reject that negativity, embrace the good within us, and consider how we can be a part of positive change, whether that occurs locally or on a larger scale. Above all, the most important election is how we choose to travel those precious moments before us. Let's all decide today, that a loving approach is more important and more powerful than any other path. Staying on that path is not weakness, but the greatest strength — one we can readily share with everyone.

— Gareth Henderson

Choosing peace

A sign at Woodstock Town Hall encourages those who haven’t yet voted to come to the polls on Election Day. Nationwide, over 91 million people have voted early — surpassing two-thirds of all ballots cast in the 2016 presidential election. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As we edge closer to Nov. 3, there is an understandable and palpable concern across the country about what will happen after Election Day. But we don’t have to let this creeping fear or division overtake us.

Even in this bitterly contentious election, there is still room for Americans to take the calmer path and embrace the way of peace as the week goes on. This involves expressing love for our fellow neighbors and standing up for the greater good when an important need requires it. This path means interacting compassionately with others, regardless of political viewpoint.

As we move further into the week, it's a good time to remember the words of the late civil rights leader and U.S. Rep. John Lewis. In his final op-ed published posthumously in the New York Times, he spoke to the new generation of protesters that gave him so much hope this year:

"When historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st century, let them say that it was your generation who laid down the heavy burdens of hate at last and that peace finally triumphed over violence, aggression and war. So I say to you, walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide."

That path of peace is the one we must remain on as a people, and it starts with each one of us deciding that's the only way forward. Peaceful progress must be our goal, with an underpinning of love and compassion. It is time to chart that course, and be resolved to follow it together, though it will be difficult at times. If we peacefully move ahead and build key partnerships that promote unity, we will be doing our part to shape our collective future compassionately. We will reject division and make progress with our best virtues leading us forward.

— Gareth Henderson

The healing power of community

A couple of pumpkins displayed recently along a sidewalk on River Street in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The world can discourage us and knock us off the path of progress in an instant, but we can also reject that eventuality, and confidently know that the best in us, as a people, is still very present and powerful.

The spirit of many cherished traditions and events has lived on, and found new expression, despite numerous barriers presented by the pandemic. The latest example of this is Halloween, with trick-or-treating happening less but within lower-key, smaller events in neighborhoods — like it was probably done decades ago (with the exception of social distancing and other health precautions).

Examples like that are reassuring, because they show how we still embrace our communities, which are the key to healing the divisions that block efforts toward a more just society where we can more readily trust one another. Our communities can effectively be incubators for broader, national progress. To see that happen, we have to patiently work at it on the local level, cultivating productive relationships and building new ones to create a new patchwork of unity, one that values progress while respecting differences.

Meanwhile, Election Day is coming up, and as the nation counts down the hours until the polls close on Tuesday, we face important and daunting challenges as a country. Whatever may happen in the coming days, we can decide to lay a foundation for unity together, by acting on the side of peace, patience and compassion for others. In the end, the solution to society's issues follows a more loving path, which will gradually dispel hate and distrust as we work toward improving this nation we cherish.

— Gareth Henderson

Where we place power

Fencing along Route 106 in South Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Looking back at 2020, one could call it the year of opposites, and the contrasts have not been subtle. 

The examples, whose struggles are accentuated by the pandemic, are many: healthy and sick, rich and poor, employed and unemployed, pro-justice and pro-status quo. We can certainly throw in political persuasions, as those weigh heavily on many minds in the run-up to the election. 

Indeed, these stark contrasts have stoked fear of the unknown and led to many questions about what people can do to improve the situation. One important step is to push back against the suggestion that the tension between opposites has the final call, and can control our future. We do this by seeking, embracing and cultivating the commonalities between us — and I believe we have many more similarities as people, than we do differences. These similarities are points of unity, because that unity is the ultimate goal for true progress as a society. 

To realize that progress, we must look outside of any silos we habitually embrace, and seek ways to learn from people with different life experiences. Not only will this expand our individual horizons, but it’s also a way to search for solutions to society’s challenges. If we try to resolve major issues within a familiar way of thinking, we may end up at the same dead ends others have encountered. By diversifying our approach to key issues and working together, new partnerships may lead to new innovations for addressing old problems. 

That may seem a long way off — maybe impossible — amid the current state of things. The election has exacerbated anxieties around a host of issues, and there are understandably concerns about what will happen after the election. Despite those factors, we still have a choice in how we view the world. Instead of viewing it as a huge problem, we can view it as an opportunity — an opportunity to persistently work together to shift power away from negative influences, to positive ones. If we each embrace such efforts and continue them a little each day, we can push back against our fears and put power back on the side of unity. 

— Gareth Henderson

States close in on voter turnout records

American flags are displayed on the Ora E. Paul memorial marker on the Woodstock Village Green. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

With a week to go until Election Day, multiple states are on their way to shattering voter turnout records, and Vermont is no exception. 

As of Monday evening, more than 208,000 Vermonters had voted early, which accounts for two-thirds of the total votes in the 2016 general election, according to Secretary of State Jim Condos. Nationwide, early voting has already passed the early vote total for 2016, The Associated Press reported. 

In a state press briefing on Tuesday, Condos thanked Vermonters "for overwhelmingly embracing the safe, secure voting options available to them during these challenging times." Those options have included early voting in person, mailing your ballot, or dropping off your ballot at your town clerk's office or into a local ballot drop-off box. Those options remain available, Condos said, along with bringing your ballot to drop off at your local polling place, up until 7 p.m. on Nov. 3. Many Vermonters are still expected to vote in-person on Election Day, he added, and each polling place will have precautions in place such as mask-wearing and social distancing.

Earlier this year, Vermont became one of the few states to decide to send ballots to all registered voters in 2020, joining California, Nevada, and New Jersey. Montana also allowed this, but left the final call on mail-in voting up to individual counties, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The states of Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah and Washington already had mail-in voting systems in place.

In all states, town and city clerks and election workers have done an incredible job under difficult circumstances. We've all seen the photos of long lines of early voters, especially in the largest states. The run-up to the election is indeed unprecedented, but the counting process will be as well, since the rules governing the process vary from state to state. It could be a matter of days until we know the winner of the presidential race.

That obviously doesn't help in this politically volatile environment, but we can take heart that many millions of Americans have made sure to cast their ballots already. Clearly, the vote, this crucial institution in our democracy, has many people who not only want to use it, but may well be interested in protecting it. One week away from this critical election, we can help the cause by making sure we vote, and making sure our family, friends and neighbors vote. Participation is the most important step to take now, and current voting numbers are encouraging signs that we’re taking an active role in our democracy.

— Gareth Henderson

The light of gratitude

Brilliant fall foliage on the Woodstock Village Green last weekend. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

In a world full of challenges, it can be tough to remember the importance of gratitude. But it can be a meaningful force for good in our lives.

Overall, gratitude can throw some much-needed light into our day, providing a foundation for hope — a quality so important these days. In many ways, being grateful goes against the grain now. The noise out there in the world — whether through the news, social media, or shared opinion — can leave us feeling trapped by negative elements. However, gratitude is a good way to rise above them, build positive energy, and cultivate the hope that you can help make the world better.

I often try to remember that, even on the hardest days, there's something positive going on in the world — somewhere. Similarly, there's always something to be grateful for, whether it's family, friends, or a project in the community that’s benefiting others. Sometimes, we have to dig a little bit to notice these things, but it’s a worthy effort that always leaves us in a better place.

When we find and express gratitude, it not only helps ourselves, but others around us as well. That positive energy ripples out and touches them, like the far-reaching effect of one little stone being cast into a pond. Just imagine the positive impact this could have, with so many of us lifting up the goodness in life each day, together. It’s a force for good we can all help build, starting right now.

— Gareth Henderson

Making room for change

Sunlight breaks through the trees along Fletcher Schoolhouse Road in South Woodstock, Vermont, late Sunday afternoon. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

This year's presidential election is a crucial point in our nation's history, but it's not the final solution to the nation's problems, not by a long shot. It's up to the American people to change the nation for the better, and, in this polarized country, that work will need doing no matter who is elected. 

The good news is, we are equal to the task. We are still a strong people, with many citizens who believe in one of our most fundamental rights: the vote. Many Americans have already cast their ballots either by in-person early voting or absentee balloting. By Sunday, 57 million people had already voted in the U.S. — that's 42 percent of 2016's total turnout, according to ABC News. 

Overall, it's clear that the COVID-19 pandemic and the political energy around this election are major factors in these early voting numbers. But being committed to the country's future is also a draw, and hopefully that energy can help drive progress now and after the results of the election are in. With the country's need for healing being front-and-center, it's so important to build voter engagement into people engagement. That is, the current drive to participate in the vote, can be used to connect more people with one another and build a more unified country as we recover from the health crisis.

That kind of unity starts with small efforts, including talking to those with whom we disagree, in order to build bridges, so to speak. There is currently a great deal of assumption about others, driven by labels. Those labels often shut down any desire to engage in constructive dialogue, because, by nature, labels don't have any room for nuance or adjustment — certainly no room for progress. They are what they are. 

However, we have the choice to either accept labels, or learn something constructive about someone else. We each have the ability to do the latter. If we take that path, we work against polarization, step by step, and we work for the good of all. We build relationships that cumulatively pave the way for progress and greater unity, even after the election. This will take time, but the work of forming these important bonds can begin now, with each of us being willing to forsake labels and work for the greater good. 

— Gareth Henderson

The good we have

(Gareth Henderson Photo)

So many people are searching for proof of goodness in the world today, amid multiple reports of the exact opposite. It's a relief to know that this goodness is not out of reach, but is natural to us. 

Along with that goodness comes hope, the harbingers of which are compassion, empathy and decency. Just to see those qualities expressed these days makes many people hopeful for the future, even as we struggle to see that light at the end of a seemingly very dark tunnel. Just a moment of hope can have a positive impact, and we can sustain that feeling by treating others with the love and kindness that lifts us up. 

This week saw some troubling milestones in the pandemic, with the U.S. seeing its highest number of coronavirus cases in one day since the crisis began. This information came amid a news cycle that constantly reflects the polarization in American society today — a pattern only exacerbated by the upcoming election. But the only way to move forward while these factors abound, is to find the strength to work toward unity with one another. It is to compassionately cooperate for the greater good, not to sustain old silos of thinking. With that approach, not only will we make progress, but we'll also appreciate each other more as individuals — which is so very needed these days. 

As we work to find unity through compassion and empathy, our natural inclination toward helping one another will, in and of itself, be that proof of goodness so many long see. Such qualities don’t disappear. They are within each of us — every moment — to bring out the greatest in all of us. Going forward, let's work every day to claim and embrace the good we have. If we seek that goodness and employ it, there will be more unity, because more people will want to see it flourish. Together, we’ll start to make a difference in the world, right where we are.

— Gareth Henderson

A unique seasonal switch

Fall foliage lines a country road in Pomfret, Vermont, in early October. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Every day brings another sign of fall heading into winter, and this year, the seasonal transition is unique. 

As the familiar scenes of tumbling leaves and the first snowflakes grace our landscape, there is a sense of something less familiar, a feeling of uncharted waters awaiting us. In those waters, we see challenges we've learned more about in recent months, including the pandemic, resulting financial strain, and the racial tensions pervading the nation. Among all this, there seems to be a growing feeling of polarization, a lack of collective will to strive together for solutions on these pressing issues. Many times, that division can be the most frustrating problem, as it exacerbates the impact of the other three. 

As troubling as these factors are, there is cause for hope, even as we head into the coldest season of the year. We can easily affirm we have a strong foundation as people, and can still realize further progress, because of what we've done up to this point. We have helped our neighbors, sectors have innovated to meet urgent needs, and new generations have stepped up in the social justice movement. Furthermore, more people have an awareness of the fact that their actions in support of a just cause can make a difference, even if those actions seem small at the time. 

Moving forward, we can use the seasonal switch not as an impediment to progress, but as an opportunity. Let it be an opportunity which further unites us around all we have learned this year about ourselves and how we can make a difference in others' lives, and thus amplify the greater good for all. More than anything else, we've learned that we don't exist on an island, even if we live on a remote hill in the countryside. These recent months have proven that we're all part of the fabric of humanity, and this is the time to embrace the part we all play in it. As we move into a new season, let's not allow change to weaken our resolve, but strengthen our commitment to the kind of progress we can all share. 

— Gareth Henderson

The opportunity of a moment

An autumnal mountain view from a field in Bridgewater, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Every day, choices face us, mainly in the form of moments. And each one is an opportunity. 

If you think of each day as a collection of those moments, it's a bit easier to see the good we can each accomplish on a daily basis, especially if some moments are directed for the benefit of others. The problem comes with the challenges that either loom in the background of our lives, or jump out at us in the foreground without warning. Then, the moments are quickly loaded up with important thinking to do and pivotal decisions to make.

For many people, that was the new reality which appeared overnight in February and March, as the pandemic's impact increased in the U.S. and the news became more dire every day. Everyone struggled to keep up with the gigantic influx of new information, taking over so many moments, and fear grew. 

More recently, many people face a far more troubling influx of not only health-related and economic-related fear, but those issues coupled with election anxiety. At the root of the latter feeling, is the fear of not knowing what the future will hold as systems foundational to our democracy appear to be under increasing threat on all sides. 

When those fears seem to gain momentum, that's when we can lean heavily on moments. This means that, each moment, we can make the decision to be better — more loving, more compassionate, more understanding — than the negative elements that can breed fear. If there's a moment we might use to watch one more YouTube video, we can use that moment to check on a friend or relative, and see how they're doing. If there's another moment we might use to dwell on what's impossible, we can use it to learn something new and bless others with it, showing them good is still possible. 

With that humble approach to life, we can reclaim the good that fear would steal from us, and together, those moments form a strong fabric of good, which we can craft together as a world community. If we work for and demand that outcome, we can realize the powerful love we share and find true progress that helps everyone — even when that seems impossible.

— Gareth Henderson

29 million and counting

The American flag waves in the wind at Woodstock Union High School & Middle School. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The ever-rising tide of early votes kept on coming in recent days, hitting a total of 29 million ballots cast across the U.S. by Monday night. Early voting — both in-person and by mail — is now underway in all 50 states. 

That tide is also rising in Vermont, which just set a new record in the number of early or absentee ballots returned prior to Election Day. Vermont has exceeded 110,000 ballots cast, according to the Burlington Free Press, well outpacing the prior mark of over 95,000 early ballots returned in 2016.

"Our hard work preparing for the 2020 General Election during the COVID-19 health crisis has paid off already, as Vermonters have overwhelmingly embraced safe and secure voting options to cast their ballots,” Condos wrote in a statement, quoted in the BFP report.  

Here in Vermont and across the nation, the numerous election workers are to be commended for doing very important work in difficult circumstances amid the pandemic. They are the stewards of the counting process, during perhaps the most pivotal election in this nation's history. However, when it comes to the timing of the results, that will vary, due to different states having different rules around the processing of ballots. And the people know it. Just 50 percent of Americans believe there will be a clear winner of the 2020 race within two days of Election Day, according to the PBS NewsHour on Monday. 

As we near Election Day, it feels like we're moving farther and farther out into uncharted waters, and anxieties around the election seem to run high. However, it's important to remember something else many of us have in common: We want this to work. We want each other's voices to be heard, and we want everyone to stay safe while participating in, or working on, this election process. Those two elements underpin this crucial part of our democracy, and so, we must pull together, remain vigilant and ensure that the voting process remains functional in these coming weeks. It has never been more important to unify and show our support of these efforts. While we’re doing that, there’s always time to let some light shine into this process as well. The love and compassion that unify us are powerful, and, regardless of the situation, we can express those qualities, impart them to others, and dissolve fear.

— Gareth Henderson

Our foundation of good

Fall foliage is illuminated while hiking up Cadillac Mountain in Maine earlier this month. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Despite so much struggle, we're still here — with all that entails, including hope. 

This thought came to mind while reflecting on the many challenges of recent months, in which people have grappled with wave upon wave of changes in their lives. We've been through so much, but at the same time, there is a lot of good being shared.

We're still sharing our music and poetry, we're helping our neighbors in need, we're celebrating special moments in our lives — or even making socially distanced celebrations possible for others. 

I was treated to a celebration last week, hearing the Woodstock group The Wednesday Poets read their work on the steps of Norman Williams Public Library. Two-dozen community members showed up to listen, and everyone was engaged in this wonderful, profound sharing. It was socially distanced, yet intimate, because something from someone else's soul reached out and touched yours. When someone shares their talent with you, you're deeply engaged with that individual, and it gives new meaning to those precious moments. 

Those are the kinds of moments people are missing these days, and it's the reason why that poetry reading was so well received by everyone there. I expect those kinds of events to pop up more often (done safely of course), because we really can't do without them for too long. They speak to who we really are, and how connected we really are.

Other things that connect us are the challenges we face. They're part of what this experience entails, too. As we've seen, there is much to take on in this world, and much that needs to be resolved. From COVID-19 and the economy to racial injustice, it can seem like too much at once. 

But then, we're reminded about how amazing we are, and how much propensity for good there really is. Through small, steady steps, we can muster the goodness and love that underpins our very being, and join hands to find the solutions this world needs, in a way that makes people want to unify. The journey is long, but it's ours to walk, and the time to move forward is now. 

— Gareth Henderson

Surge of early votes keeps growing

American flags are displayed in downtown Woodstock, Vermont, in the spring. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

With the election just under three weeks away, early voting keeps boosting the national vote total, which could reach historic levels this year.

About 15 million Americans have already cast their ballots for the Nov. 3 election, according to The Washington Post. That's in spite of the many hurdles presented by the pandemic. In Michigan, more than 1 million people — roughly one-fourth of that state's 2016 turnout — have already voted, the Post stated. That same report said surging nationwide numbers could "result in the majority of voters casting ballots before Election Day for the first time in U.S. history."

Texas and Georgia opened early voting this week and saw record-setting crowds right off the bat. High enthusiasm for participating in this election was a clear factor, and some people opted to vote in person to avoid mail delivery delays. Over 20 states will offer early voting in the coming weeks.

Many voters seemed determined to show their strong resolve to vote, noted The Washington Post's Amy Gardner in a video report (scroll down at the link). She said that's true even in Texas, where Gov. Greg Abbott's order to allow just one ballot drop-box site per county withstood a court challenge. Gardner said a gigantic line of cars showed up to deposit ballots at the lone drop-box site in Harris County, where Houston is located. 

Hopefully, all early voters stay safe as they go to cast their ballots, adhering to public health guidance. At the same time, in-person early voting, for some, represents a way to ensure their vote is counted. As October wares on, more people with that same concern are likely to head out and vote before Election Day. COVID-19 and the 2020 voting process will be the two big issues on many minds. Both factors will loom large as Americans navigate a uniquely changed voting landscape. 

— Gareth Henderson

Persistent change

A view from Cloudland Road in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Change is the theme for 2020, and there are new reminders of that seemingly every day — many of them connected with the election.

One of the most recent changes is the cancellation of the second presidential debate. It was an unprecedented move, but an understandable one. On Friday, the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates cancelled the second of three debates, following President Donald Trump's refusal to participate in a virtual format. The third debate is reportedly still on, set for Oct. 22 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Also still on is a growing controversy over drop-off locations for absentee ballots in Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott recently issued an order limiting counties to one drop-off location. He says his order is meant to boost election security, though there is no documented evidence of any threat. His opponents, who are challenging the order in court, call it overt voter suppression. In any event, a "last-minute legal battle" appears likely, as noted in a report from The Texas Tribune. Other voting-related court challenges are underway elsewhere, including in the battleground state of Wisconsin.

Four years ago, institutions like the presidential debate and the vote appeared intact, at least from a process standpoint. But the current political climate seems to thrive on upending these things. Still, recent events show the importance of participating in the vote and pushing to protect our democracy. Three weeks from the election, our overall awareness and our determination to protect such norms are more important than ever. 

— Gareth Henderson 

America’s ongoing vote

The American flag is flown at Woodstock Union High School & Middle School in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Given the great importance of the Nov. 3 election, it’s interesting to be reminded that much of the voting will be over with by then. 

On Monday, the PBS NewsHour noted that about 4 million ballots have already been cast in 22 states. Also, either mail-in or in-person early voting is starting this week in 43 states and Washington, D.C. Does that lessen the impact recent events may have on the vote? Indeed, major stories like the first 2020 presidential debate, or President Donald Trump testing positive for COVID-19, have less of an impact on the election if millions have already cast their ballots. Millions more are projected to take advantage of mail-in or early voting in the coming weeks, as well, the NewsHour reported. 

All this shows how changing times have an impact on how political influences play out during an election. For many decades, October news events leading up to an election had deep influence on the outcome. Today, that impact is somewhat tempered by the voting methods available — and as we all know, just a small number of votes can shift the results. In addition, the fact that a record-breaking number of Americans are voting by mail due to health concerns amid the pandemic adds an important factor. 

All these observations, however, are not to suggest that these impacts are negatives in and of themselves. Obviously, the well-being of voters and election workers is the most important consideration, so the mail-in voting option is absolutely critical to ensure people have the chance to vote during the pandemic. Another more general point is that change will happen over time. It's inevitable, and changes in such broad systems always have ripple effects. 

These interesting goings-on will have different meanings for different people. However, one thing remains the same: Everyone must vote. So, if you haven't mailed your ballot or gone to your polling place to vote early, do it. With an election so important, it’s more crucial than ever to ensure that America makes history in 2020 when it comes to voter participation. Your voice is needed, and every voice counts. 

— Gareth Henderson

Rising above the noise

The work of haying forms a unique pattern surrounded by fall scenery off Cloudland Road in Pomfret, Vermont, recently. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

This week's presidential debate was more than just a reflection of the political noise that's throwing public discourse off track. It was also a reminder that we should all do our part to turn the discourse in a more productive direction — one that unites, not divides. 

Obviously, that kind of change will take time and patience, and it can't be rushed. It starts with productive moments, leading to understanding each other more fully, and finding common ground for greater progress on important issues. This all starts by trying to understand those we disagree with, offering a compassionate, listening ear. It can be difficult and uncomfortable, but it's the only way to counter polarization and build each other up. 

Though national political pressures are at play here, Vermont is well-suited to providing that environment, a place where people can speak about disparate points of view civilly, so that it leads to further discussion. The state has small communities, where the level of familiarity with one another may be helpful for building productive partnerships for change.

Going forward, a foundation of common thought is always useful when starting such discussions. Thankfully, regardless of our political persuasion, we still have some things in common. That includes this basic value: In the end, we all want our communities to succeed. 

Our collective goal is progress, and we have to break out of our political silos to seize it. That work starts small — on the community level, the family and friend level. If there's a viewpoint you've never understood, seek out an opportunity to learn more about it. Maybe even talk to someone who holds that view. Hopefully that leads to a basis of stronger understanding and, on some issues, common ground. It may feel like a small step, but small steps bring us closer to the greater unity we need and deserve today. If we take those steps, we can gradually rise above that political noise, and build a more productive future together. 

— Gareth Henderson

RBG’s legacy of justice and civility

An American flag waves in Woodstock, Vermont, on July Fourth. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

While the nation faces swirling political headwinds, it's important to remember what unites us. To do that, we honor a true champion for justice and civility. Those qualities never had a stronger guardian than Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was honored throughout the nation following her Sept. 18 passing. 

Ginsburg's tireless work fighting for women's rights stands as a shining example of unity through justice. Her courage moved the country forward. She waged her own battles against gender discrimination, notably at Harvard Law School, where she was one of nine women in a class of over 500. She would later take that battle to the courts in the 1970s, when, with the ACLU Women’s Rights Project, she won several landmark Supreme Court decisions striking down laws that treated men differently than women based on gender stereotypes.

At the U.S. Supreme Court, Ginsburg’s work and rulings made an indelible mark on history, including the 1996 Virginia Military Institute case where she successfully fought for a women's right to attend the state funded, traditionally all-male school. In 2013, she issued a stinging dissent in the Shelby County case which removed federal oversight from a key Voting Rights Act provision meant to protect jurisdictions with a history of discrimination. As a CNN report noted, that 2013 case led to the start of the "Notorious RBG" moniker, which became part of popular culture and introduced her to new generations. She kept on breaking down barriers even after her death, becoming the first woman to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

Throughout her incredible career, Ginsburg's commitment to justice was combined with another constant: her defense of civility. That was exemplified in her longtime friendship with Justice Antonin Scalia, with whom she had little in common when it came to judicial views. But they shared other interests, and could still be friends. That's the substance unity is made of, and something we need to cultivate in today's world. 

In an article in Forbes on Monday, Sarah Chamberlain, president and CEO of the Republican Main Street Partnership, recalled when she first met the famous justice. 

"In a brief meeting I had with Justice Ginsburg, her words to me were simple and powerful: 'Keep going. Keep fighting.' Her struggles as a woman through poverty and prejudice inspired my own career to keep up the fight," Chamberlain wrote. "But I must note, it is not a fight meant to tear anyone down. Rather, it is a fight to build everyone up."

Efforts to build up face a constant test amid a bitterly contentious presidential campaign, racial tension, economic turmoil and the pandemic. Almost always, the problems appear much louder than even the thought of progress. For some, that means the issues can't be resolved. But Ginsburg showed us how to courageously confront the issues, keep the tone civil, and with time, bring more justice into people's lives. That unrelenting persistence, buttressed by action, organization and civility rather than volume, is what charts the course for true change. That's how we continue the fight. 

Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt captured what the nation must do, at last week's memorial service for Ginsburg at the U.S. Capitol: 

"Even as our hearts are breaking, we must rise with her strength and move forward."

— Gareth Henderson