A special broadcast on Vermont Edition explored the past and present of Town Meeting Day, the annual tradition of direct democracy in Vermont. The March 4 program highlighted notable local decisions across the state, including the Rutland mayoral race and Lyndon's vote to keep Town Meeting as an in-person event instead of switching to Australian ballot.
Middlesex town moderator Susan Clark, co-author of several books on Vermont democracy, discussed the historical practice of towns voting on national and international issues beyond local budgets. The show also featured a 1982 NPR story by Leslie Breeding about a Town Meeting in Strafford.
Vermont's 247 municipalities use Town Meeting Day to decide local budgets through direct civic engagement.
Originally reported by Vermont Public.
Photo: Phyllis Lilienthal via Pexels. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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