With the presidential race well underway, campaigns and elections are on our minds. The election will be held on November 8th at Colchester High School and absentee voting ballots will be available in a few weeks. Our votes will affect all of our futures, from our hometown to worldwide. That’s a lot of power packed into a check-box. Do exercise your right to vote—it’s our most important civic duty!
We encourage all our citizens to get engaged in the election process. Here are a few suggestions we hope you’ll consider this election season:
- If you’re not registered to vote you can do so online at the Vermont Secretary of State website: https://olvr.sec.state.vt.us/
- Lay the groundwork for your kids to become future voters by including them in positive political discussions. Ask them how they would vote on the candidates and issues.
- Become familiar with state and local races by researching candidates’ websites, attending forums/debates or looking at campaign materials before heading to the polls. This is especially important for Town initiatives, where your vote has a direct impact on your quality of life.
- Practice good “engagement” etiquette by keeping political comments and letters to the editor civil in tone. You’ll still have to live with your family, neighbors, and co-workers after the election is over!
- It’s great to display your support for candidates and initiatives with yard signs and sign permits are not necessary for these. But do place them only with permission from property owners and keep them out of the public right-of-way. If they’re placed where they impede safe passage of traffic, mowing operations, or other required functions they may be removed by the municipality or State. Posting on utility poles is always prohibited and subject to fines.