by John Marcotte
On Town Meeting Day I had the privilege of working at the Williston polls. It seemed to be a very good turnout and it’s always nice to see fellow townspeople.
As the day progressed, I was actually shocked at what I was observing. An impartial poll worker, I kept my mouth completely shut, to the detriment of my tongue which I frequently had to bite. There was blatant action by Democrats requesting Republican ballots, I have to assume to vote for Nikki Haley and distort whatever support Donald Trump may actually have in VT.
It was actually sometimes humorous the efforts expended. For instance, a couple came in, wife took a Democrat ballot, husband took a Republican ballot. A few minutes late the wife returned, stated she had been informed she need a Republican ballot and asked if she could switch her ballot for a Republican one!
Many people were very confused about which ballot they wanted to ask for. A number of people asked if they voted as a Republican would that force them to vote Republican in November. One person flat out asked what she needed to do to insure Donald Trump could not win. Several people voiced their opinion of Trump, none were complementary.
A very high percentage of people under about 30 asked for Republican ballots. I doubt we have that high a percentage of younger voters going conservative, maybe I’m wrong there. One gentleman stated he was voting Republican this day but certainly not in November.
This intentional, and I believe organized attempt to distort Vermonter’s voting results is unfortunate at the very least. It does indicate the strength of the Democrat/Progressive party in VT with substantial support of shall I say Democratic leaning Republicans and the concerns I have as November approaches.
This coalition’s efforts were however very successful as I observe the local and national press reporting on the strong Republican endorsement of Haley and repudiation of Trump. Politics is treated as a game and the actual role it plays is the cause of the serious economic despair we find ourselves in. If this games proceeds, VT residents will lose as the politicians will seemingly win. That is not sustainable.
I did, however, find hope in the apparent awakening of the population that has voted down many town and school budgets, across the spectrum of voters united against the out-of-control policies and costs of living in our great state. School districts and towns need to view this not as a defeat but as a clear call that Vermonters are hurting. Fiscal responsibility has to re-emerge, tough decisions have to be made.
Do not respond with threats of doom and gloom. Sharpen your pencils, examine policies and function as employees of the people you work for, not as our rulers.
We need to recognize and nourish this common issue moving forward. We need to encourage a feeling of unity, common sense and economic reason as we move towards November. We need to mitigate people voting against Republicans just because they are Republicans, because of Trump. Our platform needs to be based on economics, public safety, inclusion and progress for all in VT.
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“An impartial poll worker” Oh!! the lies that we tell ourselves.
I’m impartial, but let me give you a 1000 words about how out Lord President Orange Cheeto Mussolini must not be challenged.
So the unprovoked, unnecessary anonymous ugliness starts.
I also worked as a volunteer at the polls on Tuesday observing much the same as Mr Marcotte.
I also, along with Mr Marcotte and all Vermont election workers, take an oath to be impartial and fair during our working hours as volunteer poll officials. We are sworn not to influence voting and we don’t!
That was the reference made in Mr Marcotte’s post.
That does not mean that we give up our right to our opinions and the right to express them after our volunteer poll working shift is over.
Anyone I know who has ever worked the polls takes their civil responsibilities seriously and each Town Clerk assures that.
Thank you goes out to all Town Clerks, assistants and volunteers who gave of their time in the spirit of making elections fair and voting easy.
You’re out of your tiny little Trump hating mind. I think that’s great!
Call me *old school*, but shouldn’t party primaries be limited to those registered as a member of a particular party voting in that party’s primary only? And only those registered as Independent being able to choose which primary they want to vote in?
From all I’ve read, there’s been a concerted effort on the part of demonrats to encourage D voters in many states to vote in the R primary as a way to subvert the process and deflate the percentages of votes for Donald J Trump. In some states, Vermont being one of them, that has amounted to 25% or more of warmongering neocon Nimarata’s vote total.
This should never have been allowed to happen. Vermont and many other states need to pass a “Fair Primaries” law, where one’s registration determines which primary one votes in.
It has been said that 5% of the electorate (mostly those with TDS) is un-recoverable. Facts don’t matter and they never will. My guess would be closer to 15%, but that’s splitting hairs. It’s quite obvious that a certain commentator on these pages is among that 5-15%. That is, if they’re actually real and not a bot.
You are correct, there are a massive amount of people on the left that I know that voted for Nikki Haley, which I think is foolish. First, it accomplished nothing as she dropped out. Second, she stands for nothing, Trump sucks but at least he has an ethos. He is a traitor to his country, but even he knows the Civil War was fought over slavery. As for your last paragraph, I can only laugh. Like Tom has stated here, I will gladly go back to the Republican party once the loonies aren’t in control anymore, until then I’ll vote Scott and hold my nose. Love it when the people of religion and climate denialists claim that the facts are on their side. I don’t have TDS, my life doesn’t change one bit no matter who is in charge, I can just know a con man when I see one.
You are incorrect, everyone has one vote and they can use that vote however they choose. Let me say that again ; however THEY choose, not how you want them too! Thats called democracy!
In Vermont we don’t register with a party when we register to vote. It doesn’t matter if you’re a “D”, an “R”, an “I” or Green etc. So “crossing over” is meaningless.
In my humble opinion, a protest vote is a wasted vote, and just as anti democratic as removing a candidate from the ballot.
Maybe what we need is better civics education.
“Fair Primaries” law? The Commiecrats would never ever pass that. It would be a threat to their power.
“We know no one ever seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it”.
George Orwell
One thing can be said about party line or death Democrats and RINOs, they are a well organized, well funded, compliant, obedient, and cohesive bunch. Even if it means following the beehive-minded herd over a cliff, they really can’t think outside of their controlled matrix, Iphone-driven, mainscream[sic] media, delusional warped reality. I do feel sorry for some as they know not what they do for lack of knowledge. Others are too lazy or compensated for being ignorant or corrupt. It is free will nonethelesss to choose right from wrong. The consequences and chips will fall as they have over centuries – best be thinking logically soon or oh well – the warnings can’t be any louder or obvious.
Most Vermonters do not agree with you – that does make them delusional, ignorant, controlled, corrupt, or lazy – what’s wrong with you?
Social Validation and Low Self-Esteem
“Envy, aggression, and a need for social validation can drive individuals to participate in online hate. A person who chronically compares themselves to others and harbors feelings of inadequacy or resentment may find solace in putting others down. Moreover, the need for social validation and a desire to fit into certain online communities can lead individuals to adopt hateful attitudes to gain acceptance or recognition from their peers.”
“Another psychological maladjustment is low self-esteem. Bullies may have deep-seated insecurities and feelings of inadequacy, which they attempt to compensate for by putting others down. By exerting control over someone else’s emotions through their hurtful words, they temporarily alleviate their own feelings of worthlessness. They often lack empathy, struggling to understand and connect with the emotions of others.”
Mark, directing the question to me “what is wrong with you?” followed by some Wikipedia, psycho-babble “emotional damage” analysis is short-sighted and reactionary without due cause. Would simply stating, “I disagree” followed by a logical rebuttle without defaming a person by suggesting they are mentally unstable suffice?
All part and parcel of society collapsing. Too many resort to projecting nonsensical, Iphone app psychology with the intent to silence anyone who doesn’t parrot the narrative of the day according to their Master. I put my big-girl pants on decades ago – take your best shot and feel superior for doing so. I am not afraid and I don’t care what anyone thinks about me – particulary the ones who don’t know me. God is my judge – no one else – and that is intimidating enough for some folks to flee and be silenced – stirs up those demons bigly!
“A number of people asked if they voted as a Republican would that force them to vote Republican in November.”
“One person flat out asked what she needed to do to insure Donald Trump could not win.”
I suspected it earlier but this confirms it. We’re dealing with imbeciles here, people who look to Joy Behar to explain the world to them. Unfortunately the people who lead the imbeciles around by the nose aren’t imbeciles and have big things planned for us between now and November, none of it good. And I don’t even rule out nuclear war.
Bingo! Citizens had better figure out that the Deep Stater’s are desperate and will do anything to stop the Trump Train. ANYTHING! Get prepared for a major Black Swan event between now and mid-October.
Agree with u. Whatever it takes will dictate what needs to be done, whether it’s international war, civil war, another lethal virus, germ warfare. Nearly half of America has fallen. Why waste time waiting for the elders and the civically-minded/informed and those who don’t take to brainwashing to die off when they can get most with next “disaster”? Any remaining can be placed into work/death camps.
Who really ever asked for all this “freedom” anyway? Guess it was fun while it lasted. Enjoy the Amerika u wanted, comrades!
I also worked the polls. One woman asked for “whichever ballot had the woman on it.” Voters often don’t bother taking time to review the ballot(s) or become informed before going to the polls…. and these people vote!? How about this: a voter approached the tabulator with an un-voted, blank ballot, inserted it into the tabulator, and then blamed the election officials, saying they “needed to do a better job to inform voters to mark their ballot(s).” He had just walked by several dozen voting booths on his way to the tabulator!
WCAX said Vermont spends the second most money per pupil in the country and tests results are in the middle. How did we get to this point? On Tuesday, South Burlington voted down their school budget but only by about 800 votes. Over 2000 voted for this massive tax increase. I am not sure we can make the hard decisions. And I suspect teachers will not give an inch to help solve this and threaten strikes which if prolonged, the state will step in to force the townspeople to cave.
The Vermont General Assembly enacted the open primary law in 1915, Act No. 4.
Everyone is entitled to one vote, and they can use that vote however THEY like, not however the POLL WORKER wants them too! That is the law! I think this poll worker doesnt know his job, and truly does not understand democracy, and clearly supports Trump; which kind of explains why he doesnt understand democracy
So volunteer poll workers don’t get to have opinions? And can’t express them and their observations after the polls close?
If you read the article from John M without the obvious bias, you would clearly see that he knew and did his job very well; keeping his opinions to himself during his volunteer poll shift. He told no one how to vote.
Your accusations are unfounded, unsubstantiated, and unfair.
It is not John who does not understand democracy.
This is why democRATS try to avoid major Presidential Primaries. If their primary result is a sure thing they can ask for a Republican ballot and screw the Republican results. I believe they did this especially during the Obamanation years. And NBC even named one person from Montpelier that admitted doing this just this past Tuesday.
I don’t have a problem with “people crossing over” in Vermont. Many Vermonters don’t label themselves Republican or Democrat and reserve the right to vote outside a party’s parameters. It’s called democracy. The GOP national results are telling enough – namely that Vermont remains irrelevant, yet again, on the national scale of things. How about we cease to continue to remain irrelevant in our own state, by doing a much better job in getting the word out about our increased property and energy taxes. All school budgets should have failed.
Crossing over is hardly new to Vermont primary elections. The system was designed to allow it.
It is hardly news that there is a strong “Never Trump” sentiment in Vermont.
We shall know in November how people vote in the general election. I cannot conceive of Trump carrying this state.
I personally think that the two party system is broken. The main goal of Rs and Ds is to get elected, stay elected and take care of themselves first, and if they’re so inclined they throw a few bread crumbs to the dogs. We are on the verge of a complete feudal state at this point…nationally and definitely here in VT. I’ve reached a place at this point that I willfully ignore, disobey and subvert the endless flow of regulation flowing out of Montpeculiar. Thomas Jefferson once said “the policy of the American government is to leave its citizens free, neither restraining or aiding them in their pursuits” in other words: LEAVE ME ALONE, DON’T HELP ME. That is now my modus operandi!
I agree that the poll workers should be impartial .Thank you for that John.Also thank you for sharing a respectful opinion. The irritable adjective responder has been licking the glue on too many early ballot backs.Its distorted any discernment .
The writer is either new to the election game or not paying attention because the Progressive Party in VT has been playing this game with state primaries for years. Ever bother to notice how few ballots are cast for progressive candidates in the August primaries? The majority of progressive voters are playing in the Democrat sandbox to skew the flavor of candidates that make the November general election ballot – and influence who is left to vote for.
It’s likely that at least in Vermont, most of the Haley voters were liberal-leaning Biden voters. In New Hampshire, where she did well but lost to Trump, it was likely the same. It’s the rules, and we know Trump is extremely unlikely to win Vermont in the general election. It was interesting that Trump won easily in Massachusetts, where there are many “unenrolled” voters who can vote in either primary as well.