Trust, Security, Community
Thanks everybody! What a wild ride!
Click here to view John's policy white paper on improving Vermont's election security.
Response to Secretary Condos: My plan assumes an internet based WAN, which is not expensive.
It is fair to say that my plan assumes bulk, low cost computers and bulk licensing.
So to avoid being accused of being overly rosy, I have made an adjustment to allow for contingencies
A Secretary of State's Office that promotes Vermont Values
Don't think the Secretary of State's office matters in regards to issues like climate change, civil rights, and anti-racism? Think again.
The Office of Professional Regulation is a unique and powerful conduit to Vermont professionals and business. Through it, we can not only provide needed professional development, but information and support on a whole range of issues that can have an unprecedented impact on Vermont's move towards a more just, green society.
Supporting All-Resident Local Voting and more
Secretary of State's offices are now on the front lines of the push to expand and enhance Democracy. In the current national environment - where political forces are actively chipping away at voting rights - it's more important than ever to stand up and push back.
I was a leader in inviting all residents to vote in community elections. As Secretary of State, my office will do all we can to support the efforts of local communities to welcome all our neighbors into those local decisions that effect them, such as local budgets and representation in local selectboards and City Councils.
Vermonters have always valued fairness, and the Secretary of State's office can serve as a resource in strengthening our towns through increased voter participation. Local communities are the incubators of Democracy - and the Secretary of State can - should - help support that!
We can lead the nation in election cybersecurity
In a matter of days, the world changed.
It's a very different world than it was only weeks ago. For years, foreign actors have probed - sometimes penetrated - US election systems. Now, with the stakes higher than ever, we need to take up our game. As a Certified Ethical Hacker, I would be the first Secretary of State who understands how hackers (foreign and domestic) continue working to undermine our Democracy. My office would reject opaque election management corporations and embrace "open source" development for more secure AND affordable solutions that could be shared with the rest of the nation.
Given the threat landscape, it's time to take election cybersecurity to a whole new level, and Vermont can lead the way.
Ranked Choice Voting
Maine uses it. Burlington voters adopted it, then abandoned it - and are re-adopting it. As Secretary of State, I'd bring stakeholders (voters, Town Clerks, advocates, legislators) across the state together to have the discussion we've needed to have - is RCV the right fit and could we pull it off? As an Election Administrator I have concerns, but at the end of the day, it makes our elections more fair, and a truer reflection of voters'.
But we have to have the conversation with all Vermonters. Does it remove the "spoiler" effect? Does it impact voter confidence? Does Ranked Choice Voting have to mean Instant Runoff Voting?
Let's finally call this question among all Vermonters in a serious, thoughtful, and comprehensive way. As Secretary of State, I would facilitate a statewide conversation to build consensus.
Experience only a Town Clerk can bring!
As a City Clerk, I work on the community level, managing and helping my neighbors not only with elections, but with archiving and licensing. I hear all the time what people like about the Secretary of State's office, as well as what they'd like to see done differently.
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Copyright © 2022 Odum for Vermont, PO Box 353, Montpelier VT 05601- All Rights Reserved. Contact John at john@odumforvermont.com
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