thisoneisnotasbad t1_jdupx5z wrote on March 27, 2023 at 10:18 AM

Reply to comment by bibliophile222 in Do you all think Town Meeting Days are good? by splishysplash123

It only helps if you work for the state or the reason you can’t attend is school related. For the other large percent of people, taking a random Tuesday off work is not an option. Town meeting under represents economically disadvantaged populations and only allows you a voice if you are privileged enough to miss a day of work.

bibliophile222 t1_jdusz7r wrote on March 27, 2023 at 10:57 AM

Agreed, although its also worth pointing out that if it were on a weekend, then people who work weekends (retail, food service, etc), who also tend to be economically disadvantaged, still wouldn't be able to attend. I worked weekends for many years. My partner currently works evenings in a grocery store and wouldn't be able to go if it were held on Tuesday evening.

thisoneisnotasbad t1_jduv7qz wrote on March 27, 2023 at 11:23 AM

Exactly. Town meeting was designed around a time when the majority of the state was engaged in agriculture. Not a ton doing in the world of farming in the first week of March.

The most truly democratic thing is ballot with universal mail in voting.

Team_Flight_Club t1_jdvd4nl wrote on March 27, 2023 at 2:01 PM

Came to express this sentiment. We are a state that produces most of its income from tourism and service industries; most of us work on the weekends!