There is one powerful argument for single-member districts: accountability. Citizens have a constitutional right to hold their representatives accountable. They can’t effectively do this in a multimember district.
Secretary of State Jim Condos continues to dismiss that election fraud in the 2020 presidential occurred, even as several states are investigating suspected fraud, and at least one state’s attorney general is expected to launch criminal investigations.
It is long-past time we abolish this relic of the past so we can give equal representation to Vermonters, break up entrenched incumbent blocks, and help new candidates run for office.
The Vermont Legislative Apportionment Board (LAB) voted 4-3 on Friday to recommend single-member House districts only for the coming reapportionment of the Vermont Legislature.
Fifty-six years later it is Vermont citizens who cry from frustration and anger over how the Legislature apportions itself using multimember districts. This method cheats Vermont citizens in two major ways.
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., last Tuesday introduced legislation intended to prevent “the spread of voter suppression,” but it may also inhibit states from implementing election security measures.
Conservative advocacy organization FreedomWorks estimated about 70 people were packed into their Washington, D.C., headquarters on Tuesday to participate in panels they were told would teach them how to protect the integrity of American elections.
Do you trust the other side not to cheat? Do you trust hackers of all kinds to stay away? Last time no one knew there would be such widespread open voting until almost the last minute. This time those who want to steal elections have plenty of time to prepare to cheat.
At the Legislative Apportionment Board meeting held Tuesday, policy experts from various organizations discussed how Vermont’s redistricting process might change, and the key question was whether to adopt a statewide policy of one representative per district.
It is my personal belief that constituents who can call on multiple elected officials have an unfair advantage over those who can only call on one. This, I recognize, is debatable. Moving to an all-single member system would eliminate this debate and any question of representational inequity.
Weighting Vermont’s voting reapportionment to favor single-member districts that prioritize fair democratic representation should be a priority for the 2021-22 redistricting process.
Vermonters and their communities know the difference between a fair deal and a raw deal. They don’t expect perfection, but won’t accept or look kindly on heavy handed political maneuvers.