HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-11-18-VISION2025-min (Subcommittee on Local Election Voter Participation)
VFL Subcommittee on Local Election Voter Participation
November 18, 2022
10 AM
Zoom
Minutes
Members in Attendance: Marian Cohen, Margaret Coppe, Fernando Quezada, Eileen Zalisk,
Members Absent: Daniel Joyner, Jeri Zeder
The meeting was called to order at 10:13 AM. A quorum was present. Interim Chair read the script for
remotely conducted open meetings.
Members voted unanimously: Cohen Aye, Coppe Aye, Quezada Aye, Zalisk Aye.
The minutes from the September 16, 2022 meeting were voted unanimously. Voice vote: Cohen Aye,
Coppe Aye, Quezada Aye, Zalisk Aye.
The minutes from October 14, 2022 meeting as amended were voted unanimously. Voice vote: Cohen
Aye, Coppe Aye, Quezada Aye, Zalisk Aye.
No volunteer for new Chair. Margaret Coppe will continue as interim.
Update on Lexington voter participation in the November 8, 2022 general election: 62%
A comparison to the 2018 general elections: 73%
Discussion about the difference focused on candidates on the ballots, and ballot questions.
Discussion on how to proceed with organizing a report on increasing voter participation:
1. Reminder to voters
• Sandwich boards at major entrances to town
• Banner over Mass Ave
Will it return?
• Website
Much improved, but more could be done
• Town Newsletter
• Phone Banks
• Notice in student back packs
2. Motivation
• Civic Values
• Civic Culture
• Obligation
• Job to vote
• Education
Election Day is Professional Day in schools. Do teachers emphasize voting to their
students or is it “a day off”
• What would be consequences of increasing voter turnout from a low of 10% to a high of
80%?
Action items:
• Eileen and Margaret will make appointment with the Town Clerk to find out about mailing post
cards for mail in voting for the next local election (March 2023).
• Dan, Eileen and Margaret will schedule interviews with Town Clerks in 3-4 communities to be
selected from the list Marian has put together. One question for them will be how much effort is
put into data collection
• Civics education. Jeri and Dan are collaborating. One suggestion is to have a speaker series.
The meeting adjourned at 1l: 05 AM by unanimous voice vote: Cohen Aye, Coppe Aye, Quezada Aye,
Zalisk Aye.
The next meeting of the VFL Subcommittee on Local Election Voter Participation will be held on January
20, 2023 at 10 AM by Zoom.
Minutes submitted by
Margaret Coppe