HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-17-VISION2025-min (Subcommittee on Local Election Voter Participation)VFL Subcommittee on Local Election Voter Participation
March 17, 2023
10 AM
Zoom
Minutes
Members in Attendance: Marian Cohen, Margaret Coppe, Daniel Joyner, Fernando Quezada Eileen
Zalisk, Jeri Zeder
Staff James Robinson set up the Zoom meeting and was present for the start, after which he left.
The meeting was called to order at 10:03 AM. A quorum was present. Interim Chair Coppe read the script
for remotely conducted open meetings.
Members voted unanimously: Cohen Aye, Coppe Aye, Joyner, Aye, Quezada Aye, Zalisk Aye, Zeder,
Aye.
Marian Cohen moved, and Fernando Quezeda seconded, approving Jeri Zeder as chair. Members voted
unanimously: Cohen, Aye, Coppe, Aye, Joyner, Aye, Quezeda, Aye, Zalisk, Aye, Zeder, Aye.
Margaret Coppe volunteered to take minutes.
The minutes from the January 24, 2023, meeting (as amended, correct date) were were moved by
Fernando Quezeda, seconded by Marian Cohen, and voted unanimously. Voice vote: Cohen Aye, Coppe
Aye, Joyner, Aye, Quezada Aye, Zalisk, Aye, Zeder, Aye.
Updates on action items:
Jeri Zeder will set up a Google folder for the committee with the results of her research on voting
practices. Anyone who has responses from research should send to Jeri and she will upload to
Google docs
She interviewed five professors from across the country, two by phone and three by email.
Their comments reinforced information that has been gathered.
The transcripts will be uploaded to the Google doc file.
Eileen Zalisk will report on conversations with town clerks at next meeting.
Margaret Coppe contacted two local League of Women Voters and has heard back from one,
Concord-Carlisle. She has started a spreadsheet with their information and will send to Jeri, along
with the narrative. She is waiting to hear back from the Acton Area League and will contact the
Leagues of Arlington, Bedford, and Winchester.
Daniel Joyner left the meeting at 10:30 AM.
Discussion followed. Jeri will start writing a report. Fernando mentioned that there may be negative
concerns about increasing voter turnout. Voter turnout may be higher in cities as opposed to towns. It was
suggested looking at Framingham’s voting history as it recently went from a town government to a city
government.
The meeting adjourned at 1l: 03 AM by unanimous voice vote: Cohen Aye, Coppe, Aye, Quezada Aye,
Zalisk, Aye, Zeder, Aye.
The next meeting of the VFL Subcommittee on Local Election Voter Participation will be held on April
28, 2023 at 10 AM by Zoom.
Minutes submitted by
Margaret Coppe