Editor’s note: This commentary is by Rep. Jean O’Sullivan, a Democrat who represents Burlington in the Vermont House. She is a member of the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development.
With Gov. Phil Scott being so good at planning through this pandemic, I find his pushback on planning for a safe primary and general election puzzling.
We just passed Act 92 which expands the secretary of state’s decision-making authority on mailing ballots in consultation with the governor. The secretary of state, in the interest of protecting every Vermonter’s ability to vote, is recommending a vastly expanded “mail in” ballot election coupled with pared-down polling places to provide every Vermonter same-day access to the polls.
The secretary of state’s proposal would provide all Vermonters easy/safe access to voting with his universal mail-in ballot plan. Voters can return ballots by mail in postage prepaid envelopes. Vermonters could still register at a polling place on the same day of the election. Vermonters who may have language challenges would still have access to interpreters at the polls. Vermonters who prefer voting in person could still do that.
I had the honor of being elected ward clerk both for the “old” Ward 4, comprising what is now Wards 4 and 7, for 10 years. I am acutely aware of the risk of Covid-19 exposure for poll workers and elected officials. The vast majority of poll workers are in the at-risk age category.
The Aug. 11 primary election will still require election officials and poll workers to be at risk. It is too late to print primary ballots that would be available to be mailed out. However, we have the time to print ballots for November.
The only way to keep the polls open and the poll workers safe is to dramatically limit the number of Vermonters who actually go to their polling places. Social distance markings and PPE for the workers/officials at the polling place would be instituted. All incoming mailed ballots could be recorded and sorted in a “clean room” with folks equipped with PPE.
Gov. Scott, now is not the time to have a “wait and see” posture on this. Every analysis tells us we will experience a rebound of Covid-19 in the fall. The August primary will be held with no guarantee there will be widespread testing and contact tracing.
Ballots need to be printed. Plans must be made and tested for the new safe protocols. For the sake and safety of all voting Vermonters and for those who protect Americans’ fundamental constitutional right, join with Secretary of State Condos and give us a safe election.
