represent the major parties in the general election. In the primary, there is a perforated ballot. Each voter selects one part, and must vote only for candidates in one of the major parties. No one gets to know in which party or for whom you voted. You place the voted ballot in the box yourself.


In the third type, general elections, you receive a single ballot for any federal, state, and legislative offices to be filled, and may select any candidate from any party, or even write in the name of someone else.


The fourth type of election is the presidential primary. It is held at the annual town meeting in March, in the year a president and vice-president are to be elected. It is by party, and the result of the vote is to bind the state political party to elect delegates to its national convention in proportion to the votes cast in the presidential primary.


In all elections except the traditional floor-type town meeting, as a voter you are entitled to ask and receive an absentee ballot. This is a ballot sent or delivered to your home, identical to the one you would use in the polling place, and which you can use to vote as long as it is returned to the polling place or town clerk before the polls close on election day. No reason need be given for requesting an absentee ballot, but you must request an absentee ballot no later than the deadline, which is the day before the day of election. You may also vote in the town clerk’s office on any day except election day.


Run for office? Don’t be too quick to dismiss this idea. Vermont has seen 18 year-olds as select board members, town clerks, and even a state representative. If you can get elected, you have a right to serve. This may mean having nominating petitions signed and delivered to the town clerk six weeks in advance of the election. We won’t tell you how to do it here. That is one of the responsibilities of public office—learning what you need to be elected. Pundits routinely complain that 18 year-olds have the worst voting record of any group. They say that young men and women don’t care about the government or public issues. Prove them wrong. Exercising your rights as a voter will show them running for public office will be good for everybody. Think about it.


On Your Own, 2008 Edition


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