To the editor:
As part of the Communications Working Group (CWG) that proposed the article adopted at the 2025 Town Meeting to vote for elected officials by Australian ballot, I wanted to share some background.
The article was not prepared by one or two people in town at the last minute. Rather, it was well-researched by a representative group of residents over nine months, in response to a request from the then select board regarding the low turnout at the 2024 Town Meeting (17% of resident voters).
The CWG surveyed town residents, met with state experts and shared experiences with neighboring towns addressing the same issue of less than 20% voter attendance at town meeting. The group also analyzed the secretary of state data on the use of Australian Ballot at town meeting. According to the data, in 2024 nearly 60% of Vermont towns elected officials by Australian Ballot. Interestingly in 2025 this has risen to 70% (2026 data is not available yet).
While town meeting is an important part of Vermont’s history and something that is cherished by many residents, it is not the only way that voters can engage in town government. Select board meetings are the backbone of town government throughout the year and a key opportunity for community members to discuss issues. As the elected leaders in our community, the select board needs to respect and represent the interests of all the community, whether they agree with a specific issue or not. Likewise, community members need to be respectful when communicating with the select board, managing their emotions and recognizing that not everyone will share their opinion.
Australian Ballot is a practical tool to increase civic engagement by extending the reach of an election beyond a specific meeting. In fact, we use this method of voting in November when we vote in state and national elections. At the local level there is the opportunity for in-person discussion, but as budgets get larger and issues become more complex, voting residents need more time to understand the details and provide meaningful input. Not everyone can participate in the budget working group, but voting residents should have the opportunity to discuss the proposed budget with the select board before it is finalized.
Many towns in Vermont are assessing the best way to resolve the issue of civic engagement, looking at alternative options for town meeting by keeping an in-person community experience, while introducing voting by Australian ballot. Change is never easy and just because something isn’t perfect the first time, doesn’t mean we should give it up. Too much change, however, can cause uncertainty and frustration, which is the current challenge facing Greensboro voters.
Liz Steel, Greensboro
