Wanda Hines

by Haik Bedrosian

16 comments

1 Dan Sanchez { 12.23.11 at 8:16 am }

While the election would be more interesting and would raise issues not necessarily tackled by either Wright or Weinberger, I would think that it would be somewhat helpful to Wright, seeing that he has a pretty good hold on the New North End, which generally turns out at higher rates than other wards. I don’t see Hines winning under any circumstance, as I’m assuming her base would be in the Old North End and that is typically among the lowest in voter turnout. At this point, with issues concerning BT and the airport not going away anytime soon, there needs to be a serious mop up operation once Kiss leaves.
By the way, what do you think of Stanak’s and Brennan’s resolution to allow non-US citizens vote in local elections? I saw it has been postponed for the moment. While I find myself sympathetic to it, I also find myself apprehensive over it. Will people take advantage of it? I don’t think they will do so in highly sufficient numbers, given that immigrants, even if citizens, tend to vote at lower rates than US-born citizens, and whites tend to vote at higher rates than minorities do, and most new immigrants are minorities. Still, I’m haphazarding a guess that if it went on the March ballot it would be voted down. It’s not a common practice in the US and seeing how Progressive-identified legislation has been repealed (IRV) recently in Burlington, I don’t think many people are in the mood to listen to the few remaining elected Progressives in the city. Perhaps it would have more chances of passage if it were backed by Democrats or Republicans. Anyway this is all speculation. I’m just curious on your thoughts.

2 Haik Bedrosian { 12.23.11 at 11:05 pm }

I don’t think it’s a great hardship to wait until you’re a citizen to vote, but on the other hand, if a non-citizen wanted to vote now, what would stop them? I don’t think the constitution prohibits it, and I’m not aware that Vermont law prohibits it either. If a non-citizen wants to vote, he or she can just take the Freeman’s Oath and go do it. Nobody checks your citizenship when you register to vote or when you go to the polls, so what do we need a resolution for?

3 Bob Tensel { 12.24.11 at 12:19 pm }

Merry Christmas Haik!

4 Haik Bedrosian { 12.25.11 at 12:24 am }

Thank you Bob! Merry Christmas to you too!

5 Kevin McGrath { 12.26.11 at 10:43 am }

The idea of non-U.S. citizens voting in Burlington local elections will create another divisive issue in the city. It will be interesting to see how this idea plays out. I think it will ultimately turn out bad for the Progressives.

6 Kevin McGrath { 12.26.11 at 8:00 pm }

Non-U.S. citizens voting in local elections in Vermont is a violation of the State of Vermont Election Laws.

7 Haik Bedrosian { 12.26.11 at 8:10 pm }

“Non-U.S. citizens voting in local elections in Vermont is a violation of the State of Vermont Election Laws.”

Which ones?

8 Sean Stilwell { 12.27.11 at 9:50 am }

Vermont Constiution, Chapter II, article 42, as amended. It is also a crime for non-citizens to vote in federal elections.

9 Kevin McGrath { 12.27.11 at 11:11 am }

I believe that State of Vermont statute 17 VSA 2121,2122 states that to be eligible to vote in a election in the State of Vermont, you must be a U.S. citizen. The election statutes are currently off-line for editing reasons and will be back on line after January 1, 2012; so I will have to wait until then to check and see if that is the correct statute and if it is still true according to the Vermont Secretary of State Website.

10 Haik Bedrosian { 12.27.11 at 7:33 pm }

Vermont Constiution, Chapter II, article 42 says citizens who are over 18, live in Vermont, behave well and take the Freeman’s oath have the right to vote, but it does not expressly prohibit others from voting. However I can easily imagine a court has interpreted it to prohibit those not meeting these qualifications. Especially since the title of the article is “VOTER’S QUALIFICATIONS AND OATH.”

“Every person of the full age of eighteen years who is a citizen of the United States, having resided in this State for the period established by the General Assembly and who is of a quiet and peaceable behavior, and will take the following oath or affirmation, shall be entitled to all the privileges of a voter of this state…”

Vermont statute 17 VSA 2121,2122 speaks to residency but it does not say anything about citzenship.

My legal opinion is that the city council it wasting its time by considering a resolution about this. Whatever is true in law will be true for all of Vermont, both before and after any resolution which may be passed. In other words, it would be a purely symbolic gesture and have no true legal effect.

11 Kevin McGrath { 12.27.11 at 10:11 pm }

So what do you think is the purpose of the resolution? My guess is that, it is an attempt to portray Non-Progressives as anti-immigrant. As I said before, I think it is meant to be divisive, it seems to be a ploy to attract immigrants to the Progressive Party once they become naturalized citizens. I think the Progressives are upset that Miro is receiving so much support from the immigrant community.

12 Haik Bedrosian { 12.28.11 at 12:02 am }

Well somebody probably thinks they are doing something good by trying to give more rights to more people, and they may well envision some incidental benefit for themselves or their party if they succeed.

However one feels about the merits of the idea itself, attempting to invent a new class of voters in law who you think will vote your way is a dismal politcal stategy. It would be much, much more expedient to simply pursuade existing voters and register more people who are already qualified.

13 oy { 12.29.11 at 7:18 am }

Wow, very cynical, Haik. And reactionary. signing off, now.

14 Mickey Cruz { 12.29.11 at 10:36 am }

This is sort of on topic with voting ability. I’m not sure how it works but is it correct that students who are from out of state at UVM can vote in local elections here in Burlington? I was told this but I’m not sure if it’s right but if it is how can you have one standard of local for tuition which is set by the state of Vermont but a different one for voting in Burlington elections. If you could clear this up for me Haik, I’d appreciate it.

15 Haik Bedrosian { 12.30.11 at 2:00 am }

Hi Mickey. The standards are different. Generally speaking one must reside in Vermont for a year before taking their first class at UVM if they want to pay in-state tuition rates. Info on that is here:

http://www.uvm.edu/policies/student/resregs.pdf

The residency standard for voting is based on evidence of dwelling and intent to maintain residence, not the length of time spent there, so it’s up t0 students where they want to vote- in Vermont or in their states of origin. Info on this here:

http://www.sec.state.vt.us/TownMeeting/eligible_to_vote.html

16 Haik Bedrosian { 12.30.11 at 2:02 am }

“Wow, very cynical, Haik. And reactionary. signing off, now.”

A little cynical maybe Oy, but how is what I said reactionary? It’s not like I don’t love immigrants. My father is an immigrant. He waited until he got his citizenship to vote, then voted Republican for 45 years. What’s your problem?

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