by Alisha Leu
Student Services Intern, Community College of Vermont
In mere weeks, on Tuesday, November 6, Americans and
Vermonters will take to the polls to pave our path for the next four years. There
are some big offices up for election, headlined by the Presidential race. The
Presidential race makes any election appear to be bigger or more important, but
the truth is, each and every time we are asked to go to the polls, voting is
equally as important! In addition to the national offices, including one US
Senate seat and the US Representative, state and local officials are up for re-election,
too.
In an effort to be an educated voter, here is a cheat sheet
that will inform you of what offices are up for election, who is running
(including who the incumbent is) and a brief description of what each office
does. Before you head to the polls, review the list and do a
little research on the candidates to make sure that you vote for the
candidate that you feel will best represent your views. Remember, every vote truly
does count, so make your vote your voice this November. And be sure to answer our poll - do you plan to vote in the upcoming elections?
President/ Vice-President-
The President is the head of Government
and Commander in Chief of the United
States. The President is responsible for
executing the laws; convening and adjourning Congress; and appointing federal
executive, diplomatic and judicial officers. They are elected to a 4-year term.
The Vice-President is elected on the same ticket as the President. The Vice-President serves as the President
of the Senate and casts the tie-breaking vote if necessary. They are first in
the Presidential line of succession and would ascend the
Presidency in the event of a sitting President leaving office for any reason.
Barack
Obama/ Joe Biden (D) Incumbent
Mitt
Romney/Paul Ryan (R)
US Senate (Bernie
Sanders seat)- Represents the people
of Vermont in the US Senate. The primary responsibilities
include debating prominent issues; voting on bills, resolutions and treaties;
and confirming appointments of cabinet members. Each term is 6 years.
John
MacGovern (R)
Bernie Sanders (D) Incumbent
Representative to Congress-
Represent the people of Vermont in the House of Representatives.
Their primary duties are to introduce bills and resolutions and vote on bills
presented to the house. They are elected to a 2-year term.
Mark Donka
(R)
Peter Welch
(D) Incumbent
Governor- Head of state government. Their primary responsibility is to ensure
that the laws of the state are upheld. Other duties include appointing state
officers; calling special sessions of the General Assembly; and corresponding
with other states. They are elected to a 2-year term.
Martha
Abbott (P)
Randy Brock (R)
Peter Shumlin (D) Incumbent
Lieutenant Governor-
Main responsibilities include acting as
governor when the governor is out of state, presiding over the Vermont Senate, and
casting tie-breaking votes in the Senate. They are elected to a 2-year term.
Cassandra
Gekas (D)
Marjorie
Power (P)
Phil Scott
(R) Incumbent
State Treasurer- Primary duties include investing state
funds, serving as the central bank for state agencies, and managing all other
financial resources for the state.
Beth Pearce
(D) Incumbent
Don Schramm (P)
Wendy Wilton (R)
Secretary of State-
Primary duties include managing several
state departments, issuing professional licenses, and maintaining files and
administrative rules for the state. The position is elected to a 2 year term.
James
Condos (D) Incumbent
Auditor of Accounts-
Provides an independent and objective
assessment of Vermont’s
governmental operations. The position is elected every 2 years.
Doug Hoffer
(D)
Vincent
Illuzzi (R)
Attorney General-
Responsibilities include: providing legal
counsel to the state departments and the General Assembly; handling civil and
criminal cases in state court as well as appeals; defends the state when it is
sued; and files suits to enforce Vermont’s
laws. The position is elected every 2 years.
Jack
McMullen (R)
William H Sorrell (D) Incumbent
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