HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-20-VISION2025-min (Subcommittee on Local Election Voter Participation)1
VFL Subcommittee on Local Election Voter Participation
October 20, 2023
10 AM
Zoom
Draft Minutes
Members in Attendance: Marian Cohen, Margaret Coppe, Fernando Quezada, Eileen Zalisk, Jeri
Zeder
Members not in Attendance: Daniel Joyner
Staff James Robinson started the Zoom meeting after which he left. Jeri Zeder was made co-host.
The meeting was called to order at 10:01 AM. A quorum was present. Chair Jeri Zeder read the
script for remotely conducted open meetings.
Members voted unanimously: Cohen Aye, Coppe Aye, Quezada Aye, Zalisk, Aye, Zeder, Aye.
Approval of the September 22, 2023 minutes as amended (adding Strategic Equity Advisory
Team to acronym SEAT) from the September 22 2023, meeting was moved by Fernando
Quezada and seconded by Eileen Zalisk and voted unanimously. Voice vote: Cohen, Aye, Coppe
Aye, Quezada Aye, Zalisk, Aye, Zeder, Aye.
Discussion items
Jeri Zeder will add the National Vote at Home Research Paper to the Google Drive. She
summarized its message that it appears mailing a mail-in ballot to voters increases voter turnout.
Margaret Coppe reported on a forum on Media, Misinformation and The Protection of
Democracy sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Cape Cod Area. Jeri will post the
notes on the Google Drive.
Draft Report to Select Board Outline
Part VII
Zeder: What audience are we targeting? Never voters? There are many reasons for not voting
and it is a complex issue.
Cohen: What is the cost of mailing ballots to every household?
Zeder: If lack of competition is an issue, how do we increase competition? Persons may ask
“What’s in it for me?” Could we recommend stipends for elected officials or financial support
for candidates for office?
Suggested title: “What Price Democracy?”
Zalisk: It is not easy to get never voters to vote.
Zeder: Suggested an Op-Ed for Lex Observer titled “What’s at Stake? Or “What are the
Consequences?”
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Calendar: will discuss next month. Coppe suggested adding a time to bring an interim report to
the full Vision for Lexington committee.
The meeting adjourned at 11:00 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 November 17, 2023 at 10 AM by Zoom.
The December meeting will be December 15, 2023 at 10 AM by Zoom.
Minutes submitted by
Margaret Coppe