As we approach Election Day, our country is being tested like never before. And yet, for all the justifiable concerns about this election outside of Vermont, there is difficult work to do right here at home.
Whether in Washington, D.C., or Montpelier, Vermont, too often our elected leaders are not representing the needs and values of our communities, and it’s hurting all of us.
A recent poll commissioned by the ACLU shows that Vermonters from across the political spectrum are clear about their priorities. Topping the list of concerns are healthcare, housing, and wealth inequality, with two out of three respondents saying Vermont should invest more in making sure all residents have their basic needs met – including access to food, shelter, and healthcare.
More than 70% of voters support increasing taxes on the wealthy to help meet our communities’ basic needs. Likewise, more than 60% of voters, including 82% of Democrats, favor investments in people's basic needs over increased reliance on prisons.
Vermonters have been clear and consistent about how we want our elected leaders to represent us. We want thriving communities in which everyone’s fundamental rights are respected. We want our neighborhoods to remain free from masked federal agents. We expect state leaders to be unified in opposition to the Trump administration’s abuse of power.
We also need the wealthy to pay their fair share in taxes, because a country in which the richest 1% control 30% of the nation’s wealth is no longer functioning as a true democracy. We need to end mass incarceration and racial profiling. And we need everyone—working families, renters, people struggling with homelessness—to have a place to live.
This is what Vermonters have been saying for years, and still, too many of our elected leaders are not hearing us. This past biennium presented many opportunities to make Vermont a better place — provide adequate emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness, stop law enforcement from concealing their identities, and raise taxes on those who can most afford it — too many times, our representatives ignored the voices of their constituents, to the detriment of our communities.
For too long, we have seen state leaders adopt policies that counter Vermonters’ values – increasing the prison population, cutting access to emergency shelter and mental health programs, and passing the burdens of underinvestment onto local cities and towns.
Vermont now has one of the highest rates of homelessness, some of the worst racial disparities, and the least affordable healthcare in the country. At a moment when our democracy is in question, we need our elected leaders to represent us — all of us.
It is inspiring to see all the ways in which Vermonters are showing up for one another during these challenging times. One essential way to contribute to making our communities stronger is to vote for candidates who will deliver on the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for everyone who calls Vermont home.
Whether you plan to submit your ballot early or vote in person on Election Day, November 3rd, it’s not enough to simply look to the R, D, or P next to someone’s name. We all need to educate ourselves about the candidates – what they’ve pledged to do and what they’ve actually done – and then cast votes that are consistent with our values.
As troubling as this moment is, we must remember that one of the keys to resisting authoritarianism is an engaged and informed electorate.
