Editor’s note: Jason Gibbs is the Republican candidate for Secretary of State.
Vermont’s Secretary of State must ensure the integrity of our elections and encourage an energized electorate that actively participates in determining, and defining, the opportunities Vermont provides now, and in the future.
For me–as a husband, father and Vermonter–public service is about strengthening our families and providing opportunities for every new generation to be more secure and more prosperous than the generations before. That’s why our energetic campaign is focused on how the Secretary of State’s office can help improve government and strengthen the economy by being more innovative, efficient and productive.
To be a more valuable partner in growing the economy, government must rethink the ways it fulfills obligations; measure productivity based on real results, not just spending; reduce its burden on families and employers; and be empowered by the confidence, votes and voices of a fully engaged electorate.
Here are a few of my thoughts on maintaining and improving our electoral processes:
1. Listen to Town Clerks – More than anyone, we count on Town Clerks to administer elections-they are knowledgeable and reliable. I will listen to them; learn from them; use the resources of the office to help meet needs at the local level; and provide leadership that puts the interests of our communities ahead of the political parties and special interest groups in Montpelier.
2. Increase Voter Registration and Participation – I will deploy all available communication tools and work closely with civic organizations to increase voter registration and participation levels among Vermonters of all ages. Our goals will be to increase Town Meeting attendance by, on average, 10% in 2011 and 15% in 2012; increase voter registration 10-15% prior to the 2012 presidential election; and achieve 80% voter turnout that same year.
3. Improve the Registration Process – According to Vermont’s municipal clerks and treasurers, in the 2008 General Election, over 4000 ballots were cast by voters whose identity was not verified until after January 2009. This illustrates a need to improve the registration process so verification is possible prior to Election Day. This also demonstrates the insecurity of the Election Day registration proposal advanced by my opponent. Due to technological limits of the current system, his policy would dramatically increase the potential for errors, fraud and abuse.
Our election processes must provide a level playing field that encourages positive, issues-based campaigns. Preserving the integrity of that process requires leaders willing to rethink, revitalize and reform outdated 20th Century processes and systems.
4. Establish Operational Benchmarks for the Statewide Voter Checklist – The security of the statewide checklist is critical to our elections. I will ask the Auditor to oversee an independent assessment of the system. Our focus will be on dependability (frequency of technical problems); ease of use by local officials (feedback from Town Clerks); and its accuracy (number of registration errors). We will establish annual performance measurements for the system so improvement of the checklist, and its security, remain a constant focus.
5. Reform Campaign Finance Laws – Real reform of campaign finance requires real transparency. I was proud to be the first candidate to put contributions and expenditure information online at www.gowithgibbs.com. As Secretary of State, I will lead the effort to provide voters with accurate, real-time, online campaign finance information.
6. Resist IRV and other Partisan Policy – Unlike my opponent, I do not support so-called Instant Runoff Voting (IRV). IRV departs from the principle of one person-one vote; stifles debate; and is a partisan system engineered to favor one political persuasion over others. I will resist all attempts to tinker with elections in ways that provide any party, or candidate, with an advantage.
Our election processes must provide a level playing field that encourages positive, issues-based campaigns. Preserving the integrity of that process requires leaders willing to rethink, revitalize and reform outdated 20th Century processes and systems.
As the saying goes, “your vote is your voice.” Please make your voice heard. And, if you agree that government can be more innovative, efficient, productive and valuable-I would be very grateful for your support.
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