Celebrating TOWN MEETING Day in Vermont (DIRECT DEMOCRACY)

One year ago, we wrote in defense of Vermont’s annual town meeting day, the most pure form of direct democracy still in existence in the United States. At the time, Australian Ballot initiatives were threatening to undermine “floor vote” procedures on crucial questions of annual budgeting for schools and towns, and we addressed this threat with a number of suggestions about how to improve town meeting participation. Happily, one year later, the town of Waitsfield established a working group to consider strategies, and this year, our “citizen legislator” system remains vibrant. Alas, in other Vermont towns, Australian Ballot measures and other “improvements” to make democracy more “efficient” have sucked the life out of town meeting. One wonders what the future holds for this important annual tradition. For suggestions on “How To Improve Town Meeting Day Participation,” check out our report for the town of Waitsfield.