Vermont Towns Debate Broader Issues

Town meetings in Vermont, traditionally focused on local governance like school funding and road maintenance, are increasingly becoming forums for discussion and voting on national and international issues.

Examples of Resolutions

Resolutions recently proposed or considered by towns include calls to defund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), condemn a war against Iran, remove the president and vice president "for crimes against the U.S. Constitution," and pledge to end support for "Israel's apartheid policies, settler colonialism, and military occupation and aggression."

The Debate: Local vs. National Scope

This shift has initiated a debate among residents and officials regarding the appropriate scope of town meeting agendas.

Activists, such as Dan Dewalt of Newfane, Vermont, advocate for local resolutions as an effective tactic for residents to voice their positions on broader issues, particularly in an era of polarized national politics. Dewalt notes that formal town action provides a platform for issues to be recorded and reported, unlike individual statements.

"Formal town action provides a platform for issues to be recorded and reported, unlike individual statements."

Conversely, some residents argue that town meetings should be limited to local business. Newfane resident Walter Hagadorn stated that meetings are for "town issues" and should not be used for "virtue signaling" or to "hijack Town Meeting." Other residents suggested that debates on national topics should occur at separate events.

Impact and Polarization Concerns

A resolution regarding Israel, passed in Newfane last year with a 46-15 vote, generated hours of argument and led some residents to avoid attending the meeting, according to Select Board vice-chair Marion Dowling.

University of Pennsylvania political science professor Daniel Hopkins observes this trend of local communities addressing issues beyond their immediate jurisdiction across the U.S. Hopkins expresses concern that engaging with national-level issues in local forums could further polarize states and localities, complicating efforts to build coalitions on other matters.

"Engaging with national-level issues in local forums could further polarize states and localities, complicating efforts to build coalitions on other matters."

In Burlington, a similar resolution resulted in heated discussions, with City Council President Ben Traverse reporting harassing phone calls and death threats. Burlington city councilors ultimately blocked that resolution from a popular vote in January.

Historical Precedent and Proposed Process Changes

Vermont has a history of considering resolutions on broader issues, including calls for a Nuclear Arms Freeze in the 1980s and a ban on genetically modified foods in 2003. Activist Dan Dewalt was involved in several such initiatives, including a 2006 resolution to impeach then-President George W. Bush.

In Vermont, any registered voter can propose a resolution by collecting signatures from 5% of their town's voters. While elected officials can allow or block the resolution, there is no established process to vet or edit the language. Traverse suggests an official review process to ensure fair and neutral language, similar to how many states handle ballot questions.

Traverse states he is not opposed to contentious issues being put to local voters if the language is clear and even-handed.

Concerns Over Impact and Language

Opponents of these resolutions argue that activists may overstate their impact, pointing out that a majority of 46 people represents less than 3% of a town's residents. Cris White, a Newfane resident, expressed that it felt like activists were "using the town as a vehicle for their personal messages." Traverse also criticized the "inflammatory" and "one-sided" language of certain resolutions.