Latest modeling guidance from Vermont Department of Finance and Regulation
From the Vermont Secretary of State: Need to know info about Vermont’s mailed ballots
Vermonters age 60 and older and Family Caregiver Surveys
The Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living (DAIL) wants to learn about older Vermonters’ needs and aspirations. Two surveys: Vermonters 60+ and Family Caregiver will provide vital information to help DAIL develop Vermont’s next State Plan on Aging, a guiding document that outlines how the State of Vermont and the network of Agencies on Aging and service providers will strive to meet the needs of older Vermonters over time.
Anyone who lives in Vermont and is 60 years or older is encouraged to complete the Vermonter 60+ survey.
Anyone who provides care for a family member (spouse, parent, etc.) age 60+ living in Vermont is encouraged to complete the Family Caregiver Survey. Surveys can be completed on paper or online
- Vermonters 60: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Vermontage60
- Family caregiver: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VTfamilyCG
All responses are anonymous and confidential. Survey participants may enter a raffle for a $50 Visa gift cards – 35 cards will be given away.
Questions? For questions about the survey, contact Joy Livingston at JoyLivingston@FlintSpringsAssociates.com or 802-482-5100.
Corona virus and Australian Ballots for Municipal Elections
The legislature passed S.354 to allow for Australian ballot voting for all any or all municipal meetings in 2021 by vote of a legislative body. The legislation allows municipalities that normally vote from the floor on Town Meeting Day to instead use the Australian ballot during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Under current law, only a vote of a municipality’s voters may allow the switch to an Australian ballot system. S.354 will temporarily allow the legislative body to make that decision. Municipalities whose meeting locations don’t allow for social distancing may find the switch to an Australian ballot system helpful during the ongoing pandemic. Although the legislation mainly addresses next year’s town meeting, it allows all annual or special meetings to be conducted via Australian ballot for all of2021. S.354 also lifts the requirement that a person needs to collect voter signatures to have his or her name placed on a ballot as a candidate for a local election held at a 2021 municipal meeting.
From the Vermont League of Cities and Towns 2020 Session Wrap Up
As always, if you have suggestions, concerns or critiques please be in touch so we can schedule time to discuss.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions, or if you need assistance navigating government services at (802) 384-0233 or lsibilia@leg.state.vt.us. Follow my regular posts online at http://www.laurasibiliavt.com
Kind regards,
Rep. Laura Sibilia
Dover, Readsboro, Searsburg, Somerset, Stamford, Wardsboro, Whitingham
Vermont State Representative Laura Sibilia 
