The news arrived that the bill will not move forward and our concerns over the constitution were finally recognized. This result belongs entirely to the people who spoke up when it felt like no one else was listening. I am truly humbled by how this turned out and will keep …
September 11, 2021
Final supporters
Petition declaring that a bill passed by the Vermont House of Representatives is un-Constitutional
We the undersigned are registered voters in Vermont and declare that…
Whereas the Vermont Constitution states: “QUALIFICATIONS OF FREEMEN AND FREEWOMEN, § 42. [VOTER’S QUALIFICATIONS AND OATH] Every person of the full age of eighteen years who is a citizen of the United States, having resided in this State for the period established by the General Assembly and who is of a quiet and peaceable behavior, and will take the following oath or affirmation, shall be entitled to all the privileges of a voter of this state:…”
Whereas, according to the Vermont Constitution, municipalities are creatures of the State of Vermont and are therefore extensions of the State.
Whereas allowing residents less than 18 years of age to vote would dilute the voting rights of those who are at least 18 years of age.
Whereas the Vermont Constitution says "...but they [the House and Senate] shall have no power to add to, alter, abolish, or infringe any part of this Constitution.”
Whereas the Vermont Constitution clearly defines the process by which the Constitution is amended.
Whereas on April 29, 2021, the Vermont House of Representatives passed bill H.361, which amends Brattleboro’s municipal charter to allow 16-year olds to vote in municipal elections and serve on town boards, such as the select board.
Be it resolved that we the undersigned firmly believe that making H.361 the law would violate the Vermont Constitution. If Brattleboro or the General Assembly wants to amend the Vermont Constitution, it must utilize the Constitutionally-mandated process for doing so.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
July 5, 2021
May 25, 2021
I have been spending my time lately reaching out to legal contacts to better understand the paths we can take to challenge this bill. It is truly humbling to see so many of you engaged with the language of our constitution because this effort belongs entirely to your dedication to our state laws.
May 12, 2021
I truly never imagined that one hundred people would feel strongly enough about this to add their names to the list. This has completely taken me by surprise and the credit belongs entirely to those of you who started this conversation.
Reached 100 supporters
May 11, 2021
111 Comments
We must fire those representatives who flaunt the Vermont constitution as though it is theirs to play with. It's not, it belongs to us. They are continually violating their oaths of office, yes your rep.. They work for us or they don't work at all.
It is illegal according to the Vermont Constitution for 16 -17 year olds to vote because most are far too immature to vote responsibly and they do not pay property taxes. Stop this insanity now!!!
Minors should not be allowed to vote in town elections and subjugate the taxpayers to fund their collective wishlist as they arent paying any taxes. Furthermore, the state sponsor of this house bill should be censured and stripped of any committee assignments for violating the state constitution.
What might our Vermont Legislators be considering for the best interests of their constituents-and---the values that our forefathers have made Vermont--- "Vermont" ---hopefully---not including the "opinions" of sixteen (16) year old children---let our legislators remember the immaturity of their teen-age years!!
This attempt to lower the voting age to under 18 is blatantly wrong. The attempt is also contrary to the Vermont Constitution and needs to be made null and void.
age 16 is definitely too young to vote - maybe 18 is also
The vast majority of 16 year olds are not capable of critical thinking.
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The news arrived that the bill will not move forward and our concerns over the constitution were finally recognized. This result belongs entirely to the people who spoke up when it felt like no one else was listening. I am truly humbled by how this turned out and will keep …
September 11, 2021
Final supporters
Petition declaring that a bill passed by the Vermont House of Representatives is un-Constitutional
We the undersigned are registered voters in Vermont and declare that…
Whereas the Vermont Constitution states: “QUALIFICATIONS OF FREEMEN AND FREEWOMEN, § 42. [VOTER’S QUALIFICATIONS AND OATH] Every person of the full age of eighteen years who is a citizen of the United States, having resided in this State for the period established by the General Assembly and who is of a quiet and peaceable behavior, and will take the following oath or affirmation, shall be entitled to all the privileges of a voter of this state:…”
Whereas, according to the Vermont Constitution, municipalities are creatures of the State of Vermont and are therefore extensions of the State.
Whereas allowing residents less than 18 years of age to vote would dilute the voting rights of those who are at least 18 years of age.
Whereas the Vermont Constitution says "...but they [the House and Senate] shall have no power to add to, alter, abolish, or infringe any part of this Constitution.”
Whereas the Vermont Constitution clearly defines the process by which the Constitution is amended.
Whereas on April 29, 2021, the Vermont House of Representatives passed bill H.361, which amends Brattleboro’s municipal charter to allow 16-year olds to vote in municipal elections and serve on town boards, such as the select board.
Be it resolved that we the undersigned firmly believe that making H.361 the law would violate the Vermont Constitution. If Brattleboro or the General Assembly wants to amend the Vermont Constitution, it must utilize the Constitutionally-mandated process for doing so.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
July 5, 2021
May 25, 2021
I have been spending my time lately reaching out to legal contacts to better understand the paths we can take to challenge this bill. It is truly humbling to see so many of you engaged with the language of our constitution because this effort belongs entirely to your dedication to our state laws.
May 12, 2021
I truly never imagined that one hundred people would feel strongly enough about this to add their names to the list. This has completely taken me by surprise and the credit belongs entirely to those of you who started this conversation.
Reached 100 supporters
May 11, 2021
111 Comments
We have processes for a reason and just because they are inconvenient at times does not mean they should be discarded. I also think the randomness of legal ages undermines the entire scope of are related rights. Drivers license, voting, drinking, independence, consent etc. By assigning different ages it suggests relative importance.
We must fire those representatives who flaunt the Vermont constitution as though it is theirs to play with. It's not, it belongs to us. They are continually violating their oaths of office, yes your rep.. They work for us or they don't work at all.
It is illegal according to the Vermont Constitution for 16 -17 year olds to vote because most are far too immature to vote responsibly and they do not pay property taxes. Stop this insanity now!!!
Minors should not be allowed to vote in town elections and subjugate the taxpayers to fund their collective wishlist as they arent paying any taxes. Furthermore, the state sponsor of this house bill should be censured and stripped of any committee assignments for violating the state constitution.
What might our Vermont Legislators be considering for the best interests of their constituents-and---the values that our forefathers have made Vermont--- "Vermont" ---hopefully---not including the "opinions" of sixteen (16) year old children---let our legislators remember the immaturity of their teen-age years!!
This attempt to lower the voting age to under 18 is blatantly wrong. The attempt is also contrary to the Vermont Constitution and needs to be made null and void.
age 16 is definitely too young to vote - maybe 18 is also
The vast majority of 16 year olds are not capable of critical thinking.
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We have processes for a reason and just because they are inconvenient at times does not mean they should be discarded. I also think the randomness of legal ages undermines the entire scope of are related rights. Drivers license, voting, drinking, independence, consent etc. By assigning different ages it suggests relative importance.