H.361 AN ACT RELATING TO APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO THE CHARTER OF THE TOWN OF BRATTLEBORO
FAILED
in the State Senate
on March 31, 2022, by a vote of
15-12 (18 of 27 votes needed to override)
Purpose: To override Governor Scott's veto of H.361. This would allow children 15-17 years old to vote in local elections and on local issues, and to hold elective office.
Analysis: H.361 changes to the Brattleboro charter to allow 16-17 years olds (and 15 years olds if they will turn 16 by election day) to vote in municipal elections and serve on town boards, such as the select board.
Those voting YES believe this will help get young people more involved in the political process and establish the habit of voting.
Som of those voting NO believe that children who are not legal adults are not ready to make fully informed decisions relating to voting or mature enough to hold positions of authority and responsibility over critical municipal decisions, such as property taxes. Others may have supported Brattleboro children's right to vote, but were concerned that they would have to sign contracts to serve in government, before they turned 18.
As Recorded in the Senate Journal, Thursday, March 31, 2021: “Shall the bill pass, notwithstanding the refusal of the Governor to approve it?, was decided in the negative on a roll call required by the Vermont Constitution, Yeas 15, Nays 12. (the necessary override two-thirds vote not having been attained)." (Read the Journal, p. 555).
Related:These roll call reports are designed to help citizens understand how their elected representatives vote on key issues. The bills may or may not eventually become law. Click on the link to the bill page at the top of this post for an up to date status on the bill.
How They Voted
Becca Balint (D-Windham) – PRESIDING (YES on initial vote)
Philip Baruth (D-Chittenden) – YES
Joseph Benning (R-Caledonia) – NO
Christopher Bray (D-Addison) – YES
Randy Brock (R-Franklin) – NO
Brian Campion (D-Bennington) – YES
Thomas Chittenden (D-Chittenden) – NO
Alison Clarkson (D-Windsor) – YES
Brian Collamore (R-Rutland) – NO
Ann Cummings (D-Washington) – YES
Ruth Hardy (D-Addison) – YES
Cheryl Hooker (D-Rutland) – YES
Russ Ingalls (R-Essex-Orleans) – NO
M. Jane Kitchel (D-Caledonia) – YES
Virginia Lyons (D-Chittenden) – YES
Mark MacDonald (D-Orange) – NO
Richard Mazza (D-Chittenden-Grand Isle) – NO
Richard McCormack (D-Windsor) – NO
Alice Nitka (D-Windsor District) – NO
Corey Parent (R-Franklin) – ABSENT (NO on initial vote)
Chris Pearson (P-Chittenden) – YES
Andrew Perchlik (D-Washington) – YES
Anthony Pollina (P/D-Washington) – YES
Kesha Ram (D-Chittenden) – YES
Richard Sears (D-Bennington) – ABSENT (YES on initial vote)
Michael Sirotkin (D-Chittenden) – YES
Robert Starr (D-Essex-Orleans) – NO
Joshua Terenzini (R-Rutland) – NO
Richard Westman (R-Lamoille) – NO
Jeanette White (D-Windham) – YES
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