So How Did Your Legislator Vote on an Issue?
Each election year the issue of an incumbent’s voting record leaps into the public consciousness as races heat up. While most candidates stand proud of their records, other candidates seemingly try to distance themselves from the votes that they cast while representing their constituents in Montpelier or Washington D.C. Dare mention their records and they cry, “dirty politics”. I believe that that the public deserves to know how their legislators voted, including how I voted. I want to make it as easy as possible for people to know how I voted.
So how does one find out about a legislator’s voting record? Fortunately, here in Vermont, the task is very easy, at least as far as roll call votes are concerned.
When I say “roll call votes”, what I mean are the votes of each legislator that are recorded for the legislative record. When these votes are called to decide a specific bill, each legislator’s name is called in alphabetical order, with the legislators expected to answer with a loud and clear “yes” or “no”. There no room for an answer of “maybe”. At the close of voting, the “yes votes” and the “no votes” are tallied. The majority vote wins, whether it be approving a bill, or defeating it. The results of the individual votes of each legislator become a permanent part of the legislative record.
As for non-roll call votes, the results of individual votes are not recorded. All those wishing to vote “yes”, say it in unison. Then those who choose to vote “no”, say it in unison. The Speaker of the House, Gaye Symington, determines the outcome of the vote by ear, deciding which group constituted the largest number of votes. Many of the non-controversial bills are voted on without a roll-call vote. To determine how a particular candidate voted in a non-roll call vote one must rely on the honesty of the legislator to tell you when you ask.
There are a number of ways to find the results of roll call votes. Being a rural state with a strong citizen legislature, we can often get the answer by talking to the legislator in person or by phone. But if that isn’t possible, contact the clerk of the legislative body in which the bill was voted upon. If you’re looking for the results of a Senate vote, contact the senate clerk at (802) 828 – 2242. If it was a House vote, contact the House clerk at (802) 828-2247.
Internet savvy constituents can refer to the legislative website at www.leg.state.vt.us. On the homepage look under “Legislative Information Database” and click on “Look up roll call votes by member or by bill”.
The one thing you won’t find in the records is why the legislators voted the way they did, which in reality, is very important information. There is so much information jammed into some of the bills that some legislators feel forced to vote against a bill that they otherwise would support if it wasn’t for a certain aspect of the bill, an aspect that could have major ramifications for Vermont. This is why it is best, when possible, to talk to your legislator directly if you have a question about his or her vote. If you want to talk to your legislator, you can call the Sergeant-At-Arms Office at the State House between Tuesday and Friday during session, a legislative page will deliver us the message and we’ll get back to you. The number who 1-800-322-5616.
Although we are more than 60 miles away in Montpelier, we still answer to you, our constituents.