BRATTLEBORO — I am writing about my experience with my recent voter registration drive, which ended on Election Day. My intention was to assist in the effort to make the voting process clear to all people, to remind, and inform.
This meant contacting and networking with facilities in Brattleboro that work with the sick, the elderly, and the poor. It also meant ensuring that voter registration forms were available.
It was executed pretty much independently. I tried to remain nonpartisan.
However, I had phone privileges at the Windham County Democrats' campaign headquarters on Flat Street. The office also reimbursed me for mailing information on the voting process and registration forms.
I was provided with registration forms and “Your Vote is Your Voice” buttons and stickers from the Vermont State Election Office.
When I approached these predominately not-for-profit agencies, I was met mostly with resistance. The people I spoke with on the phone tended to be apprehensive and tentative about posting flyers and making available buttons and stickers encouraging individuals to vote and how to go about doing it. Most, in fact, refused.
The problem, I discovered, is due to a federal law that prohibits posting information that is considered political in not-for-profit waiting rooms.
I merely wanted to make people aware of the voting process, but I learned, first of all, that some are not familiar with the voting process. As such, this law has not-for-profit agencies contributing to the voter suppression problem that we saw all over the nation during this year's election. For some reason, these agencies fear retribution for simply providing voter registration information.
If all people are to participate in the voting process, we must be informed. Providing written information on candidate's positions and views in not-for-profit waiting rooms would lead to “educated consumers,” so to speak.
Between now and the next election, it is important to see this federal law abolished.