Volunteers take their oaths before the recount of the democratic gubernatorial primary election results at Chittenden Superior Court in Burlington on Wednesday. (Photo by Glenn Russell, Free Press.)
The real winner of the primary vote recount was the democratic process. That much was clear even before the first tallies were reported.
Hundreds of people turned out to volunteer their time to make sure that every one who cast a ballot in the Democratic gubernatorial primary was counted, and counted correctly. This is another face of participatory democracy every bit as true to the Vermont spirit as the town meeting.
Thanks to the volunteers who recounted the ballots in an organized, efficient and orderly process, Vermonters know that the Democratic nominee is Peter Shumlin, and he will face off against Republican Brain Dubie. For the rest of us, to engaged in the fall campaign, to actively question candidates, to examine their positions and take part in the debate on issues — to vote on Nov. 2 — is to honor the work of these volunteers.
For the first time in years, two candidates born in Vermont, one from Putney and the other from Essex, face off against one another for governor.
The quintessential photograph by Free Press photographer Glenn Russell showing volunteers taking their oath is a portrait of civic responsibility. The work can be tedious. There’s little public glory involved in recounting ballots. But making sure voters can have confidence in election results is critical to making democracy work.
The recount was the capstone of a remarkable primary election for the Democrats. The real capstone of this remarkable campaign must be the general election Nov. 4.
Let the race for Vermont’s next governor begin.
Make a date to commit democracy.
Read the rest in Sunday’s Free Press.
