You are right, FLL. There is a deliberative session which is held before the vote in March. At these, all the town officials attend and everyone discusses the articles that will be voted on. Sometimes they will try to amend them, or maybe even delete them by putting a zero dollar amount on them. Unfortunately not a lot of people usually attend these. But the old way with town meeting, a lot of people didn't usually attend either and they not only discussed the articles but voted on them the same night, so a very small minority of people are voting. At least this way, with the people voting in March, there is usually a bigger turnout. This is an all day affair and not at night, so enables more people to vote. Even still, I think it is still sad that more people don't vote. I think things would certainly change in the Lakes Region if more people voted.
Yes Sam, you can get your absentee ballot at the town halls. Voting is always on Tuesdays.
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