Markowitz urges voter awareness

Author: Derek Schlickeisen

Vermont Secretary of State Deborah Markowitz (D) spoke to students about the importance of voting and civic participation this election year during a lunchtime talk in Carr Hall on Thursday, Sept. 11.

In light of a presidential campaign that has broken race and gender barriers, Markowitz - elected Vermont's first female Secretary of State in 1998 - said that significant impediments remain that may keep young voters away from the polls.

While most audience members guessed that primarily apathy and frustration with bitter partisanship had contributed to low turnout among voters aged 18 to 24 in past elections, she explained that a recent survey by the state suggests many stay home simply because they cannot name their local polling place or have not obtained an absentee ballot.

As part of the event, eligible students were able to register to vote in the state of Vermont. As Markowitz explained, the U.S. Supreme Court recognizes students' right to register in their college town - though she cautioned them, if they hailed from a so-called "swing" state, to vote absentee back home in order to have a greater impact than in left-leaning Vermont.

"Secretary Markowitz provided such great insight into the voting process - and how the partisan politics of a secretary of state's office can affect it," said Peggy Burns, associate director of the Middlebury College Alliance for Civic Engagement. "I think we're very lucky to have someone in Vermont who is so passionate about the right to vote and ensures that no obstacles are put in the way in exercising that right."

As Secretary of State, Markowitz has worked to improve voter turnout and an open, interactive state government, in particular so that the state's youth will gain experience in political participation. An ambitious election reform program in advance of the 2004 election produced one of the highest voter turnout rates in the country despite a near-certainty that the state would vote Democratic.

Markowitz urged students at the College to be aware of voter registration deadlines in their home states, and of Vermont's own Oct. 29 deadline.