Vermont decided early as voters flock to polls

Author: Andrea Glaessner

Vermonters flooded polling stations across the state this Election Day, drawing a close to the epic presidential campaign drama that has riveted Americans for the past 18 months. Vermont was one of the first states the media declared blue, handing President-elect Barack Obama three electoral votes early in the evening.

In a less decisive gesture, voters eventually called the shots on the heated three-way governor's race, re-electing Jim Douglas '72, Vermont's two-time Republican incumbent by a mere 55 percent of the vote. Tension was thick throughout the day that the popularity of third-party candidate Anthony Pollina would challenge Douglas' hold on the required 50 percent of the vote, leaving the final decision in the hands of the state legislature to decide in January.

In state and local politics, incumbents overwhelmingly eclipsed their rivals, declaring a landslide victory for seasoned Vermont politicians.

Though at the time of writing it was still unclear whether voter turnout records were broken in this election, town clerks across the state reported heavy turnout and crowded lines at poll stations. Prior to Election Day, state officials were optimistic, predicting that 75% of registered voters would cast a ballot this year to break the record for Vermont voter turnout.

At 6:40 a.m., 20 minutes before the polls opened, droves of Middlebury residents were already clustered outside the Municipal Building. Anne Hoover, an election official, noted that "mobs" of people arrived to cast their ballots during the initial hours of opening. "That first half-hour was really wild. It was very exciting," said Hoover.

Fortunately, election officials were well prepared for the influx of voters. Echoing Hoover's observation of the massive morning crowds, Middlebury Town Clerk Ann Webster said, "It was huge this morning at around 7 a.m., and it will be huge again at 5 p.m. But we've been a lot more prepared this time around and we have double the booths as last year."

(Even if voter turnout records remain unbroken this time around,) town officials confirmed an increase in the number of registered voters in Middlebury. There were 4700 registered voters on this year's checklist, up by 500 from the previous election year. "So many more people are showing interest," explained Webster, "and we've had lots of people in their 50's, 60's and 70's registering who have never voted before."

Webster also noted a potential increase in students at the College registering to vote in Vermont. "Many [College students] that came through it seemed was because they weren't getting their absentee ballots from their home states," said Webster, suggesting the increase is more likely attributed to "a problem and a glitch" in other states' absentee ballot system rather than increased interest among college-age students.

At least one interesting result of this year's election was apparent even before the polls closed at 7 p.m. - the number of early voters soared above the last election year's count. According to Webster, this year the town collected 1600 early votes as compared to the 700 received last year. When asked what might account for the surge in early voting, Webster suggested that heavy advertising about early voting both regionally and nationwide has encouraged more Vermonters to cast in early this year.

Still, many Vermonters remain tied to the ceremonious thrill of voting on Election Day. Mary McHugh, a member of the Addison County Democrats, spent much of the early afternoon alongside her husband Bill holding up signs for Gail Symington, the democratic governor hopeful. "I actually enjoy and like to go out on Election Day and vote," said McHugh.

Certainly, those who did turn out at the polls seemed to confirm the perception that this election is perhaps more momentous than those of years past. Voters exited the polling station beaming with excitement, or, in some cases, utter relief. "I've been a wreck. I haven't been able to sleep," said Jane Duffy, "and I'm just really glad this day has finally come."

"I feel [this election is] going to change my life, if it turns out the way I hope. This is the first time I've been so excited and so hopeful, I have two kids and a grandchild and its mostly about them, I just want them to be able to have a better life," said Duffy.

Many voters were eager to gain closure on the brutal battle between the presidential hopefuls that ensued for over 18 months. Disillusioned by the length and negativity of the presidential race, Dave, a Middlebury resident who declined to give his last name, said "I'm kind of glad its over, I'm sick of all the ads on TV and the negative publicity as far as everyone going against everybody else."

First-time and new voters emanated the adrenaline rush of casting their first vote. College junior Nick Martell '10 said, "I thought it was awesome, I didn't expect it, but it was really cool." Martell, a citizen of New York, failed to receive his absentee ballot in time for Election Day and chose to re-register in Vermont.

Reflecting the view of most voters interviewed exiting the polls, Martell was more compelled by his interest in the presidential rather than local candidates to vote on Tuesday. Joey Swensson '08, now a resident of Waitsfield, trekked out to Middlebury where he was still registered to cast his vote. Like Martell, Swensson was captivated with the presidential election, but claimed he was not "informed enough for the local."

"I haven't really paid attention to [local politics]. I'm fairly apathetic, not too invested, but I think this time around [the presidential election is] really important, so that's why I'm here," said Swensson.

Yet the most politically active Vermonters - the sign holders and election officials - typically felt that just as much, if not more, was at stake in the local elections, particularly in the gubernatorial race. Frank Nicosia, a volunteer for Pollina, emphasized the importance of local political outcomes of this year's election. "People should realize that the gubernatorial outcome could affect their lives much more quickly and directly in many ways than the presidential," said Nicosia.

Professor of Anthropology Ellen Oxfeld, standing beside Nicosia and bearing her own sign for Pollina, nodded in agreement, saying, "The governors' race can have a big impact on things that will take much longer to change in Washington."

"Very often you can have reforms happen at the state-wide level first, and this is one reason why we're supporting Anthony Pollina, because he has so many wonderful ideas about how to rejuvenate the Vermont economy, how to work on energy issues, how to help with housing and especially on single payer health care which is something we support a lot," explained Oxfeld.

Both Oxfeld and Nicosia expressed their desire to see more Americans vote on issues rather than superficial factors like charisma and good looks. "It's the issues that are most important, and it's a shame in this country [that] people are often carried away with charisma and image. They're nice, but where's the substance? The issues are what are going to lead to real change," said Nicosia.

Change was indeed a theme on everyone's mind on Nov. 4 - a nod to the President elect's spirited campaign slogan, "Change we can believe in."