See our recent letter to Governor Scott and Secretary of State Condos calling for safe, accessible elections this year:
Dear Gov. Scott and Secretary Condos,
We appreciate your efforts to prioritize the health and well-being of Vermont’s people at this difficult time. As organizations and businesses who share your interest in safeguarding the public, we write today to encourage you to take immediate steps to implement safe and secure elections in 2020.
It is our belief that no one should have to choose between staying safe and exercising their right to vote. Yet, we know that in-person voting during a pandemic can be dangerous for voters and poll workers alike. This is especially true if large numbers of voters choose to vote in-person.
Therefore, we believe that the responsible choice for this year’s elections is to adopt a vote-by-mail system so that every registered voter in Vermont receives a ballot through the mail. This is the best way to maximize the safest possible means of voting this year — voting from home.
More than a thousand Vermonters have already signed on to the attached petition urging you to
1) Adopt a vote-by-mail system this year;
2) Preserve safe, in-person voting options; and
3) Conduct a broad public education and outreach program to maximize successful participation in the mail-in program.
As organizations and businesses with members and customers around the state, we stand ready to assist in getting the word out about the importance of voting by mail this year.
We thank you for considering this petition as you investigate the best options for Vermont. We hope you will agree that a universal vote-by-mail approach is the best way to ensure safe and secure elections this year.
Sincerely,
Paul Burns, executive director, VPIRG; Joey Bergstein, chief executive officer, Seventh Generation; Jen Duggan, vice president and director, Conservation Law Foundation Vermont; Jordan Giaconia, public policy manager, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility; Lauren Hierl, executive director, Vermont Conservation Voters; Mark Hughes, executive director, Justice for All Vermont; Matthew McCarthy, chief executive officer, Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, Inc.; Kiah Morris, movement politics director, Rights and Democracy VT; Morgan Nichols, state director, The Main Street Alliance of Vermont; Ed Paquin, executive director, Disability Rights Vermont; Dan Quinlan, chair, Vermont Climate and Health Alliance; Sue Racanelli, president, League of Women Voters of Vermont; Falko Schilling, advocacy director, ACLU of Vermont; Jenn Swain, global senior sustainability manager, Burton Snowboards