To the Editor:

Why don’t we have the right to vote? If 151 Wilmington voters have asked for an Australian ballot at the Town Meeting in March, why are the town manager and three members of the selectboard telling us “no” when Vermont state statute says “yes”?

To me, this is not about the pergola, but about our right as taxpayers to vote by Australian ballot. After all, the selectboard was elected by Australian ballot.

It is obvious to me that the town manager and three members of the selectboard are concerned about the outcome of the vote. The selectboard is attempting to take your right to vote by denying the Australian ballot. The selectboard prefers a show of hands or paper ballot at the March Town Meeting. The vote would follow a lengthy discussion. The issue is not whether you are for or against the pergola. An Australian ballot offers all legal voters of the town of Wilmington the opportunity to vote privately within a 7 am to 7 pm time frame.

Peter Morris Jr.

Wilmington