BRATTLEBORO-Australian (secret) ballot is the only way all the registered voters of Brattleboro get to vote.
It is the only option that allows all voters to express their opinion and communicate their preferences.
Representative Town Meeting (RTM) or open Town Meeting (OTM) serve only the favored few who can attend a 10- or 12-hour meeting before being able to vote.
Not everyone can attend RTM or OTM.
If a senior is housebound, they can't attend.
First responders on duty can't attend.
Parents may not be able to afford taking time off from work to attend.
Those working out of town can't attend.
All voters should have a right to vote on the town budget and raising taxes.
Everyone can attend by Zoom or watch live on BCTV the weekly budget hearings held by the Selectboard from September through January, as well as the pre–Town Meeting information meeting.
Everyone can get a copy of the Annual Town Report through the library or on the town website.
But not everyone can attend RTM or OTM.
Every voter should have a right to vote. Only Australian (secret) ballot will guarantee they can vote.
They can vote in the booth on Election Day.
They can vote at the Town Clerk's office during early voting.
They can vote absentee in the privacy of their homes.
John P. Kennedy
Brattleboro
This letter to the editor was submitted to The Commons.
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