Office of Lt. Governor David Zuckerman
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12th, 2023
Contact
Lisa Gerlach
Chief of Staff, Office of the Lt. Governor
(802) 636-7047
Lisa.gerlach@vermont.gov
NEWS: Lt. Governor Zuckerman Statement on Election Laws Bill
MONTPELIER, Vt: On Friday, Lt. Governor Zuckerman released the following statement after H.429, An act relating to miscellaneous changes to election laws, passed second reading in the Senate on a vote of 16-14:
“It is unfortunate that poison pill provisions were forced into this bill as there are several pieces that I agree with. However, I believe wholeheartedly that, in an era marked by hyper partisanship, we must do everything in our power to increase voter choice, expand democracy and allow the halls of power to be accessible to people from all walks of life. Across the country we are seeing supermajorities working to reduce voter participation, increase party control and limit choice through election law reforms. With this bill we are seeing this is not just confined to only one party that has such power.
“During the campaign season, I did not hear a single voter voice concerns about wanting more big money in politics or stricter rules for who was allowed to run in an election. They talked to me about housing costs, childcare, the climate crisis, and other important issues. When Vermonters are facing such high-stakes issues, we should not let partisan election reform laws that no one has asked for and few want to be sucking up so much oxygen in Montpelier.
“This election law reform adds additional hurdles for candidates who wish to collaborate across multiple parties. This is bad policy and bad for democracy.”
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