Polls will be open throughout The Valley next week for those who want to cast their ballots in person or who want to drop off their completed mail-in ballot. Elections and voting are always important and significant, but this year, with a presidential election and the future of both houses of Congress to be decided amidst a pandemic, it’s even more critical.
Let’s take a minute this week and consider how much work it is in normal years to hold elections. Our local town clerks and their staff bear the brunt of this work but also shoulder the enormous responsibility of keeping the election fair and honest and legal.
Town clerks are the presiding managers of the poll and the election. They determine if and where political signs can be placed outside the polling places. They determine how and where candidates and activists can approach voters as they come and go.
They govern over poll watchers, voter challenges (with the board of civil authority) and handle requests to review the voter checklists.
It’s a lot of work even in a non-pandemic year. Throw in the added complexities of COVID-19 with its attendant requirements of disinfecting surfaces, adequate social distancing, mask wearing and screening poll workers and it’s a lot of work.
Do your part this year. Wear a mask, clean your hands before entering the polling place. Maintain physical distancing. Bring your own black pen and bring your ballot. Don’t linger and chat afterwards. Voting, like the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, is going to look different this year.
Vermonters have already voted in record numbers by mail-in and absentee and drop-off ballots. Undoubtedly, this year will see a record turnout in the state and the country, and at least here, we know that every vote will be accurately counted.
We are fortunate to have dedicated and capable town clerks in our community who take their jobs seriously and perform them to the letter of the law when it comes to elections. Thank you to the clerks and their staff and all the poll workers who are making this election possible in 2020.
