Taking a step for progress

A stone wall is shown along Benedict Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

So many of us have been looking for solutions to big issues, and these days, the answers we need can seem hard to come by. What we're facing as a country has left us feeling stunned before. By now, we've all been there.

As we all seek that next step, it's easy to look for the quickest possible way to our destination. It can seem like the most obvious way through the fog. But no solution worth having appears that easily, especially in unusual times. As we keep our goal before our hearts and minds, the key is the approach to the journey and what guides it.

The highest goal today is unity, and in much of the nation, post-election fervor seems to be guiding how many people view one another. That of course includes political labels, but we know there's more to a person than their political affiliation. The key is getting people in a room together, beginning a dialogue and establishing trust.

Trust is something New York Times columnist David Brooks mentioned in a recent conversation with Katie Couric on The Pulse. Brooks said, "Two generations ago, if you asked people, 'Are your neighbors trustworthy?', 60% say yes. Now it's only 33%." He goes on to say, "And somehow restoring trust in each other is the elemental task."

This is a crucial point, because the key to building unity in the U.S. today is not about resolving political differences. It's about trusting each other enough to have an honest conversation about them, a conversation grounded on listening, decency and compassion. The biggest thing keeping those conversations from happening is fear, and that's something we have to overcome as a people, if progress is to be made.

The good news is, we can always make the decision to have those difficult conversations and gain a stronger understanding of one another. That would be a strong basis for working together on key issues, and it would all start at the community level. In this election year, much attention is rightly focused on the national scene, however that shouldn't make us ignore the difference we can make by encouraging such dialogue locally. It's an important step to take, and we can all urge that progress forward for our community, and our nation.

— Gareth Henderson

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

Biden: This is America’s ‘time to heal’

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

After clinching an historic election victory on Saturday, U.S. President-Elect Joe Biden called for unity and healing in his first public address since the result in Pennsylvania put him over the needed 270 electoral votes earlier in the day. 

It was a time of sheer jubilation for the 75 million voters who supported Biden and now-Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, who became the first woman and the first person of color elected to the nation’s second-highest office. 

Addressing the crowd gathered in Wilmington, Delaware, on Saturday night, Harris thanked the voters, saying the result proved that the people can still change the direction of the country. 

“When our very democracy was on the ballot in this election, with the very soul of America at stake and the world watching, you ushered in a new day for America,” Harris said. 

She acknowledged the four years of struggle while many tried to make a difference. 

“For four years, you marched and organized for equality and justice, for our lives and for our planet, and then, you voted,” she said. “And you delivered a clear message. You chose hope and unity, decency, science, and yes, truth.”

Harris also mentioned her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, who came to the U.S. from India at the age of 19. 

“She believed so deeply in America, where a moment like this is possible.” 

The vice president-elect then paid tribute to “all the women who have worked to secure and protect the right to vote for over a century.”

“Tonight I reflect on their struggle, their determination, and the strength of their vision to be unburdened by what has been,” Harris said. “I stand on their shoulders.”

She added, “Every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities.” 

The 75 million vote total was the most ever won by a presidential candidate in U.S. history, and Biden-Harris supporters filled the streets of major American cities to celebrate throughout the afternoon and evening. 

But it was a very different day for the nearly 71 million people who supported Biden’s Republican opponent, President Donald Trump, who is forging ahead with legal challenges to results in multiple states. The Democratic victor reached out to those voters in his speech from his hometown of Wilmington, saying he would work for them as president, too. 

“For all those of you who voted for President Trump, I understand the disappointment tonight — I’ve lost a couple times myself,” Biden said. “But now, let’s give each other a chance.”

He urged people to “lower the temperature” and listen to each other.

“To make progress, we have to stop treating our opponents as our enemies, they are not our enemies, they’re Americans.”  

The president-elect said Americans sent a clear mandate that their leaders need to work together. 

“The Bible tells us that to everything there is a season — a time to build, a time to reap, a time to sow. And a time to heal,” Biden said. “This is the time to heal in America.”

Biden thanked his campaign team for helping to build a broad, diverse coalition, and he pledged that his administration would reflect that diversity. He also spoke to the African American community, which turned out in record numbers in key urban areas like Philadelphia, to lift the campaign over the finish line. 

“You’ve always had my back, and I’ll have yours.” 

Harris and Biden each spoke of unity, which has been a theme throughout their campaign. 

“I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide but unify — who doesn’t see red states and blue states, only sees the United States,” Biden said Saturday night. 

Laying out several priorities, Biden his first one was defeating the pandemic. He said he’d name a group of leading scientists and experts on Monday as transition advisors on a new plan to battle the crisis.

Biden also called for renewed efforts to combat climate change and root out systemic racism, while also speaking out against the bitter partisanship that has gripped the U.S. 

“Let this grim era of demonization in America begin to end here and now.” 

He also recited the lines to the well-known hymn, “On Eagles’ Wings,” which meant a lot to his late son, Beau, and which he hoped would bring comfort to those who have lost a loved one in the pandemic: 

And He will raise you up on eagles' wings

Bear you on the breath of dawn

Make you to shine like the sun

And hold you in the palm of His hand.

In closing, Biden said, “And now together, on eagles’ wings, we embark on the work that God and history have called upon us to do, with full hearts and steady hands, with faith in America and each other.”

— 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

Presidential race tightens as counting continues

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

The closer it got to midnight, the more the 2020 presidential race tightened up on Tuesday night. But a conclusion was nowhere in sight.

The influx of mail-in ballots was a major factor throughout the country, as many millions of them remained to be counted. Additionally, the rules governing the counting process vary from state to state this year. Resulting delays in some areas were expected to last into Wednesday morning, as a nation awaited the outcome of the race between Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic former Vice President Joe Biden.

Close to midnight, Trump held the lead in the battlegrounds of Michigan and Pennsylvania, with just over half the vote counted in both states. Biden pulled ahead in Virginia at the same time, with CNN calling the state for the former vice president. Within the hour, multiple networks called the pivotal states of Ohio and Florida for Trump. Minnesota was soon called for Biden, who also held a lead in Arizona as the hour neared 1 a.m.

In earlier local news, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) won a third term as governor, with Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman (P/D) conceding the race around 9 p.m. Scott had a substantial lead of 66 to 27 percent, with 88 percent of districts reporting.

“Today, Vermonters have spoken and I am humbled to earn your support once again, your faith and trust in me is the greatest honor of my life and I will continue to work every single day to make the lives of Vermonters better," Scott said in a video statement.

Earlier in the day, Scott also made headlines by confirming he voted for Joe Biden for president — the first Republican governor in the country to admit such.

Also in Vermont, the closely-followed lieutenant governor race had Democrat Molly Gray ahead of Republican Scott Milne, 50 to 41 percent with 88 percent of districts reporting.

U.S. Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) easily won reelection, taking 67 percent of the vote in that race, according to The Associated Press. Republican challenger Miriam Berry came in at 26 percent.

Nationwide, early voting hit 70 percent of the 2016 general election vote total on Monday. Similarly, Vermont's voting also surged before Nov. 3, surpassing two-thirds of the state's 2016 vote tally by the weekend.

That's not to say the polls were quiet on Tuesday in the Green Mountain State. Far from it, said Democratic State Rep. Charlie Kimbell, of Woodstock, who was greeting voters outside of town hall on Tuesday.

"We had people waiting in line at 7 a.m.," Kimbell said, adding he'd seen a steady stream of people throughout the day. There were also voters who insisted on casting their ballot in person on Election Day, he noted, to uphold that tradition amid the pandemic.

— 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

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

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

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

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

Working toward a common goal

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

It's undeniable that more unity is needed throughout the country, especially at a time when even one of the bedrocks of our democracy, the voting system, is feeling the strain of politics. Specifically, that refers to the discussions about mail-in voting, which has become an understandable trend amid the pandemic, and a point of contention for some. It is worth noting that Oregon, the first state to go to universal mail-in voting, has experienced a voter-fraud rate of .00001 percent since 2000, according to the PBS NewsHour. 

Unfortunately, the vote is just one of many areas of our democracy which has become increasingly tainted by politics in recent years. That is greatly troubling, given the importance of this November's presidential contest. It is also revealing, because it shows how doubt can be spread quickly online, about a method of voting which has largely been able to avoid fraud issues, as The Washington Post previously reported.

A major issue is that, in a politically charged environment, someone who feels their vote has never counted may still believe this, perhaps more so, if political strife and USPS logistical issues feed into a sense of hopelessness. Still, there are a number of groups working to encourage people to vote, and that should be done for the good of the country. The more people participating in the vote, the better. That has never been more true. 

Voting remains key to the functionality of the nation, and hopefully efforts to assist with that process in 2020 can continue unencumbered, whether it's organizing mail-in voting efforts, polling stations, or related aspects of the process. Many people are committed to making sure that process works, and now is the time to support them in their efforts. As one united people, we can accomplish great things. We still have the heart, and the resolve, to do exactly that.

— Gareth Henderson

Mail-in voting preparations underway

Sun illuminates the countryside along North Bridgewater Road in Bridgewater, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Nine states will be sending out ballots to all voters for the November general election, in an effort to ensure safe voting during the pandemic. 

One of those states is Vermont, and Gov. Phil Scott is confident in the mail-in voting plan, Vermont Public Radio reported. All active registered voters in Vermont will be sent a general election ballot in two weeks. The governor disagreed with some of his fellow Republicans, who have raised concerns about voter fraud.

"I think the mail-in type of approach is new," Scott told VPR Wednesday. "I think it could have been done in a different way. The reality is that's the way it's going to be done in Vermont, and I believe it will be done successfully."  

The Washington Post reported that their analysis of three states with universal mail voting "found a minuscule number of potentially fraudulent ballots in recent elections, undercutting assertions that such practices open the door to rampant fraud."

In that same August report, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey — which is also doing universal mail-in voting in November — emphasized keeping the process safe while maintaining voting access.

“Ensuring that every voter has the ability to securely cast their ballot, while protecting public health, is our paramount concern," Murphy told the Post. "The recent primary election gave us the opportunity to see what worked and where we could make improvements.”  

Massachusetts is doing the same. On Wednesday, Secretary of State William Galvin said the state's mail-in voting effort was a "great success" in the primary, NBC Boston reported Wednesday, but more funding was needed for the November election to go smoothly.

As states move forward with their plans, the concerns surrounding the Postal Service still loom very large. About 20 states have expanded or eased access to mail-in voting for the Nov. 3 election, according to The Washington Post. States and voters have important roles in protecting the integrity of mail-in voting systems, especially in such a crucial election. It will be challenging, but it's a duty that must be done, and now is the time for everyone to work to support these efforts.

— Gareth Henderson

Focusing on the vote

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

The right to vote forms the bedrock of democracy, and many Americans are worried about hurdles to exercising that right in November’s general election, according to the Pew Research Center.

In the Pew study, nearly half of Americans surveyed in July and August said they anticipate logistical difficulties casting a ballot in this pivotal election. To have that level of concern around the vote in 2020 is troubling; no doubt the worries over the USPS and delivery of mail-in ballots during the pandemic play into that. 

In the coming weeks, these concerns may prompt more people to vote early, in order to ensure their votes are counted and their voices heard. Another virtue of that option: There are typically smaller numbers of people at a time, and in many locations, it should be easy to socially distance. In Vermont, early voting begins on Monday, Sept. 21. 

Additionally, the NBA's plan to use arenas as voting centers has taken shape, and will have a profound impact on voter participation by providing safe venues for in-person voting. Most of the NBA's 30 arenas are now involved, and many are providing for early voting.

Though the Nov. 3 election is just under two months away, there's still time to address logistical hurdles causing concerns among voters. Some of these issues may be addressed on a more local level, and hopefully, even in the weeks remaining, some creative solutions can come to the forefront. 

— Gareth Henderson

Arenas prep to get out the vote

An American flag flies in the breeze on Fourth of July in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

At least 20 National Basketball Association teams have announced plans to turn their arenas into voting centers for the November election, The Washington Post reported Wednesday. 

This development is part of a social justice plan agreed to by the NBA and its players following a recent boycott of postseason play to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Other sports leagues joined the walkout, which gained international attention. Along with the voting centers in arenas, the agreement between the NBA and players includes creating a social justice coalition and new advertising that promotes more civic engagement in elections.

The playoff push continued after the agreement was reached, but the move to comply with the accord was swift, especially considering teams are large organizations. On Wednesday, the Orlando Magic announced their arena, the Amway Center, will be an early voting site, according to The Washington Post. The same report said the Amway Center will host a voter registration event on Sept. 22, and will then be open for early voting for all of Orange County each day from Oct. 19 through Nov. 1 to take early ballots.

Having this service set up in Florida alone is a major impact for the Nov. 3 general election, given the Sunshine State's pivotal role in presidential contests. But the national impact is clear when listing the other NBA teams that made similar commitments with their arenas: Brooklyn, Dallas, Houston, Indiana, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers (in two different arenas), Milwaukee, New York, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, San Antonio, Utah and Phoenix. The Post reported these other teams planned voting or registration centers even before the boycott: Atlanta, Charlotte, Detroit, Cleveland, Washington and Sacramento.

An important focus of these plans is creating a safe environment for in-person voting during the pandemic. Fortunately, the NBA has learned a lot about wide-scale sanitation and safety, by creating the "bubble" in Walt Disney World in Orlando, where 22 out of 30 teams landed weeks ago to resume the season under strict health protocols. The NBA can easily share the knowledge it has gained from that experience with its teams as additional arena plans materialize.

This NBA initiative has been inspiring already, due to its broad impact, notably how it can reach a diversity of individuals and, just maybe, welcome people into the voting process who may not have ever trusted that their voice counts. It fits nicely with More Than a Vote, an organization co-founded by NBA superstar Lebron James, which is busy recruiting young poll workers in Black communities to boost access to voting. 

Certainly, these efforts are no easy matter. Making a whole arena safe for voting during a pandemic is challenging, and getting people to participate poses its own hurdles these days. However, with the NBA’s powerful marketing arm behind it, this initiative could increase access to the vote by tens of thousands of people. In a close election, those votes could be the difference.

— Gareth Henderson

A bold step for change

When National Basketball Association teams boycotted playoff games last week to protest the shooting of Jacob Blake, players expressed the desire to take concrete action for real change. With November right around the corner, it was encouraging to see players focus on protecting the right to vote in 2020.

The players and the league agreed to turn NBA arenas into polling places for the November election, as part of an accord to resume postseason play on Saturday. It’s also a move to fight voter suppression ahead of November’s vote, by improving access to safe, in-person voting. Also in the new agreement, NBA leadership said they would form a social justice coalition and create new advertising that promotes "greater civic engagement in national and local elections."

All this began after the Milwaukee Bucks refused to play their playoff game against the Orlando Magic last Wednesday, in protest of the Aug. 23 police shooting of Blake, an unarmed Black man, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Multiple gunshots from an officer left him paralyzed, and a state investigation is ongoing.

On Wednesday, events moved quickly: The Magic and other NBA teams followed the Bucks’ lead, and all that day’s games were postponed. Then other leagues joined the walkout, including the Women’s National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer. The National Hockey League postponed playoff games later in the week, and some National Football League teams cancelled practices. With Thursday’s NBA games also postponed, the players met that day and agreed to continue the playoffs Saturday after the league agreed to the now-released plan.

The Bucks’ action led to an unprecedented moment in sports, when players took the reins completely, and forced the national spotlight to re-focus on racial justice and the importance of voting. If people want to make the biggest difference this year, it will be at the ballot box. The NBA’s strong, collective voice will have an important national impact, and the recent agreement with its players is a great step forward to ensure all people have access to the vote. This is the kind of decisive action the country needs in order to affect true change.

— Gareth Henderson