I’ve become disturbed in reading about Scott Milne spending time weighing his options concerning the election results. As recently as two weeks ago he indicated that the election should be determined by the popular vote. Now he is backpedaling that, considering other options. His option of requesting a recount is certainly valid, but expensive, as Lt Gov. Phil Scott pointed out recently.
Now, most disturbing, the press has attributed Milne speaking of the option to request the Legislature vote, not on the popular vote, but on the “will” of the people in their representative districts. This position has been clearly embraced by House Minority Leader Don Turner. Another longtime Republican, Sen. Benning, is more uncertain and said, “I’m looking to him (Milne) for some guidance.”
This “option” is in conflict with Article 47 of the Vermont Constitution, which says the Legislature should elect “for whom the greatest number of ballots have been returned.”
This was done recently in 2002 when Republican Jim Douglas, who only received 45 percent (vs. Peter Shumlin’s current 46-plus percent) of the vote was elected by a Democratic Legislature over the Democrat Doug Racine.
The Vermont way of doing the right thing.
How Milne comes down on this issue will a clear measure of his Vermont character.
Bob Zeliff
Chair, Addison County Democrats
Bridport