The Political Process in Vermont 
By Don Griffes

POLITICAL PARTIES:

Political party organizations are the engine that makes our political process work. The party system in Vermont would work much better, however, if more people really understood it. Every two years political parties re-organize and begin the process of developing their philosophy.

There are four tiers in a party structure; 1. local, 2. County, 3. State and 4. National. In Vermont the party structure and philosophy begins over each odd numbered year with the grass roots reorganization of each town. By law a party is to meet or caucus in each town and city, every other September, to elect their new committees. This is where the entire reorganization process and the rebuilding of a party begins.
 

HOW TO GET INVOLVED:

Any legal voter can attend the organizational meeting of their preferred party and request that their name be added to that party's membership. There is no litmus test for membership. A person should only be excluded from the meeting and membership if they are not a legal voter in that town or if they belong to another party. Vermont does not have party registration to vote in primaries, as many other states do, so this is the only way you can get hands on involvement in a party, other than working in election campaigns and voting. We all know that "birds of a feather flock together" so usually people join parties that they believe would best represent their own position on issues. Thus the philosophy of the parties is slow to change.
 

HOW ORGANIZED:

In Vermont, when town committees are organized, they elect their town committee officers and delegates to their County Committee. The County Committee then meets in October to elect their officers and the delegates to the State Committee.

The State Committee then meets to organize the state party. Local and county committees are the grassroots of the state party organization. The process of Vermont’s national political involvement begins in the local caucus without
which there would be no local party input.

WHAT ABOUT ISSUES?

All legal voters, who feel strongly about an issue, should become a part of the process. All registered voters should resolve to join the local party which best reflect their views. It’s the party’s responsibility to let every voter know about their party and encourage them to get involved. Unfortunately too many choose not to get involved and let others make political choices for them. Unhappy about an issue? You have three choices.

1) Work for change in your party,

2) Switch to a party that would better represent your views, or...

3) Choose to not be a part of the process (which is a big problem in Vermont). If you are a party member you can be part of the debate and be a greater influence in the political process.

TO SUM IT UP:

You are urged to join a party in September and help elect those that best represent your views. If you want change, push for change in the system, or you can stay home and complain to the cat and dog and let others make the decisions for you. In Vermont and America we have a representative process which should reflect the ideas of those that get involved. Our Government and it's political parties are just what the voters allow them to be. We have a representative process that works for those that work at it. Please be responsible and get involved before it is too late. Attend your party’s next political caucus. Your Town Clerk can direct you to the time and place of the September caucus in your town.
 

Don Griffes of East Charleston VT, a retired Orleans County businessman, has 6 married children and 26 grandchildren. Don, is a Reagan Republican, and has served in the Vermont Legislature and over 3 decades on the VT State Republican Committee from Orleans County. Don and his wife Beulah and all their children have been active in their church, community and politics, most all of their lives.