In preparation for a possible controversial election night, where a winner might not be declared, the Burlington City Council has unanimously passed a resolution supporting a peaceful transition of presidential power, no matter the winner.
Because of the way Covid-19 has impacted the way Americans vote, and driven up the number of mail-in ballots, a majority of states are predicting that results may not be finalized the day of the election.
This has prompted some to be concerned that violence could break out after Election Day in the wake of an uncertain election result, especially as President Donald Trump has repeatedly dodged questions about whether he would accept a peaceful transfer of power.
The resolution was sponsored by the council’s six Progressive members and passed at their Wednesday night special election preparation meeting. It reinforces that the City of Burlington will honor and uphold the results of the election and apprehend and prosecute anyone who partakes in voter intimidation.
It also states that if Trump loses the election and remains in power that the City of Burlington will work to ensure that all ballots have been “fully and fairly counted” and work to uphold a peaceful transfer of power.
Councilor Chip Mason, D-Ward 5, said he supported the resolution but questioned how the city would combat Trump’s unwillingness to step down, if he lost the election. “I don’t mean to undersell, but, you know, we’re just the City of Burlington,” Mason said.
Councilor Zoraya Hightower, P-Ward 1, responded that the city’s response would depend on what transpired after the election. She said the council’s response could include statements about the outcome of the election. She also encouraged councilors to support a strike promised by the Vermont AFL-CIO union if Trump loses the election and doesn’t transfer power peacefully.
Others on the council supported the resolution as a precautionary measure.
“I share, and I think we hopefully all share, the commitment to, you know, fair, free and open elections as a bedrock to our democracy,” said Councilor Brian Pine, P-Ward 3.
“We don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves here,” Pine said. “But you want to be prepared as well. It really is hope for the best plan for the worst.”
At a Tuesday night Police Commission meeting, Interim Police Chief Jon Murad said the Burlington Police Department has received no intelligence that would lead police to believe that that voter intimidation will occur at the polls.
Nevertheless, he said the BPD and other law enforcement officials will be prepared. He said the most “pronounced” concern is that militia groups could show up to polling locations and practice voter intimidation. He said he’s “more concerned” that an unsettled election result will result in people expressing their displeasure in the streets by Wednesday night.
“We will be paying attention to polling locations, we will not be posted at polling locations,” Murad said. “That is a policy of this agency, but also a recommendation by the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Department of Public Safety.”
Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger said at a Wednesday press conference that he is concerned by the president’s unwillingness to commit to a peaceful transfer of power and that he supports the council’s resolution.
“I’m not particularly concerned about violence or problems here. In Burlington we’ve seen no indication of that so far,” Weinberger said. “Let’s hope this is one of the many areas that Vermonters and Burlingtonians can distinguish themselves from some of the problems we’ve seen elsewhere in the country.”
