HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-19-VISION2025-min (Subcommittee on Local Election Voter Participation)
VFL Subcommittee on Local Election Voter Participation
April 19, 2024
10 AM
Zoom
Minutes
Members in Attendance: Margaret Coppe, Fernando Quezada, Eileen Zalisk, Jeri Zeder
Member Absent: Marian Cohen, Dan Joyner
The meeting was called to order at 10:02 AM. A quorum was present. Chair Jeri Zeder read the script for
remotely conducted open meetings.
Members voted unanimously: Coppe Aye, Quezada Aye, Zalisk, Aye, Zeder, Aye.
Approval of the March 19, 2024 minutes was moved by Jeri Zeder and seconded by Fernando Quezada and
voted unanimously. Voice vote: Coppe Aye, Quezada Aye, Zalisk, Aye, Zeder, Aye
Discussion items
a. Eileen Zalisk reported on her conversation with the Town Clerk. She stated that she is in charge of
publicity for elections. Suggestions were that town elected officials be more involved with publicity,
placing signs advertising elections in local store fronts, sending postcards with reminders to vote along
with content of election, better use of town buildings, including schools, to post reminders of elections,
increased staff in Clerk’s office (budget item), and establish a citizens’ advisory group for elections.
b. Jeri Zeder reported that she and Dan Joyner met with the Town Equity Officer Hemali Shah and Senior
Services Director Michelle Kelleher. They do not collect data about voter participation. They reported
that homebound and isolated citizens do not get to the polls. They could use rides to the polls and help
with mail in ballots. Question about LexPress offering rides to the polls.
Better communications to the Town affordable housing units might lead to more engagement of these
affinity group members, similar to those who have children in the schools.
Suggestion that course on elections/voting be offered through Community Ed.
c. Human Services Director Dana Bickelman was interviewed. Items that might impact voter turnout were
inability to attend night meetings, where voter information might be made available, technical issues,
language barriers, transportation and parking problems, and having only one ballot drop box in town.
d. Fernando Quezada reported on The Bill of Obligations:10 Habits of Good Citizens by Richard Haass.
He would like to review and expand on the ideas in this book looking towards qualifications to vote and
the collective good.
e. Since Marian was not present, the updated charts were not discussed.
f. A question about how many people write the draft and final report. Margaret will check with Mark
Manasas who chaired the last subcommittee.
Fernando moved and Eileen seconded adjournment at 11:01 AM.
Members voted unanimously: Coppe Aye, Quezada Aye, Zalisk, Aye, Zeder, Aye.
The next meeting will be May 17, 2024 at 10 AM by Zoom
Minutes submitted by
Margaret Coppe
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