Snelling Center for Government

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Constitutional Amendment - Term Lengths for Vermont Officeholders

In 2007, the Vermont Legislature will again face the questions: ‘Should the Governor’s term be two years or four years? What about other statewide offices such as Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, Auditor, Secretary of State and Attorney General? What about state senators and representatives? If there are longer terms, should term limits be considered?

The findings of SCG's report Term Lengths for Vermont Office Holders

Our project will stimulate voters to engage in a serious inquiry of whether two year or four year terms of office are in the best interest of Vermont, and which approach is most effective in advancing good governance. The basic values of good governance are seen to include accessibility, accountability, effective management, strategic leadership and the maintenance of the balance of power among the branches of government. Voters will be encouraged to take advantage of research, forums, presentations and other tools, and will query candidates and their elected officials during the 2006 election year and thereafter. Informed public opinion and a thorough and visible public discussion will be the basis on which the Legislature will make its decision in the 2007 – 08 biennium.