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
