A Town Meeting test worth pondering
Our focus is usually on rational analysis. Let me suggest that feelings are also key to successful democracy.
We will try clickers at Town Meeting this year. Then we should judge which method of voting — clickers or raised ballot slips — best serves the direct democracy we enjoy in our town legislature.
Our focus is usually on rational analysis. Let me suggest that feelings are also key to successful democracy. To that end, a couple of pairs of questions may be useful to assess as we go through Town Meeting.
When using clickers, is there relief at not having to show how one is voting? Or, “I wonder how the vote is going?”
When using raised ballot slips, is there a feeling of pressure to vote how others are voting? Or is there a sense of voting with neighbors in this decision?
Or, you bring the question …
Let’s talk after Town Meeting.
David Allen
Heaths Bridge Road
