Vermont, Bernie Sanders' home state, also holds numerous local elections
The beautiful state of Vermont, where Republican Nikki Haley campaigned on Sunday, celebrates primaries this Tuesday but also municipal meetings, with numerous elections and local votes. “Don't forget to vote today, Vermonters. Whether it's the presidential primaries, municipal elections, or the school budget, making your voice heard is important. “Democracy is precious and participation is essential,” the state governor harangued early in the morning, Republican Phil Scott, on the social network (formerly Twitter).
Like Maine, there have also been electoral developments in Vermont. Young people of 16 and 17 years old have been able to vote in the municipal elections of Brattleboro, with 7,500 inhabitants. Those who turn 18 before the general election on November 5 will also be able to vote in the presidential primaries this Super Tuesday.
The voting of these young people has not been without controversy: modifying the city's voting statutes required legislative approval, and Republican Governor Scott rejected the initiative on two occasions. But last year, the Democratic-controlled legislature overrode the governor's veto and gave the green light for Brattleboro teens to vote and run in local governing body primaries, as well as be elected representatives in a caucus. annual municipal meeting in which many important issues are decided.
Participation data in the State primaries also trend downward, compared to the last two presidential primaries. In 2016 and 2020, local senator Bernie Sanders ran in the elections (presidential in the first case and primaries in the second), which caused extra mobilization in his home state. In 2016, 135,000 people voted in the Democratic primaries, and in 2020, 158,000.