It is hard to turn on the television or pick up a newspaper without seeing the latest presidential poll, seeing a soundbite of one politician questioning the qualifications of their opponent, or of political pundits pointing out the missteps of the day along the campaign trail in some small town in Iowa or New Hampshire. This may be the time of year of goodwill and generosity but it is also peak time in the buildup in our political process known as the Presidential Primary. Everyone has issues that are near and dear to them, perhaps it is the rising cost of healthcare, or the war in Iraq, or the state of our educational system or the drain on our natural resources. Though the issues vary one constant is that seniors are committed to the political process and vote.

According to the Senior Journal one in every 5 voters is over the age of 65 and as this age group grows there is little doubt that older voters will have a huge impact on voter outcomes. In the 2000 election, 70% of those over 65 years old cast a ballot to select the next president of the United States. According to the Senior Journal this outpouring of seniors involved in the political process is even more striking when one sees that only 52% of younger voters participate in the political process and only 32% of those between the ages of 18 and 24. Seniors constitute a powerful voting block. However according to Grannyvoter.org they are not a one-issue group. Seniors are worried about healthcare, their retirement, and Medicare. However, seniors are also worried about their children and grandchildren. They worry about the educational system, the environment and the economy.

However, much of the political debate has changed with advancing technology. Blogging has become the way people exchange their views and express their opinions. Blogging are online sites where people can anonymously express their views for all of those online to see. Presidential candidates have become increasingly more savvy on how to utilize this new tool. However, many seniors are not as comfortable maneuvering online as some of their younger counterparts. To address this void of senior commentary on the political process online Vermont Public Television received a grant from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting to keep seniors connected to the process and to encourage them to use the internet.

According to Ann Curran, Community Relations Director for Vermont Public Television, "In rural Vermont, especially in the winter, communities may be isolated, and the Internet can play an important role in keeping people connected." VPT along with their community partners including AARP of Vermont, League of Women Voters of Vermont, the Snelling Center for Government, Vermont AAUW (American Association of University Women), Vermont Area Agency on Aging, Vermont Maturity and Vermont Office of the Secretary of State have launched the Vermont Primary Tracker, a new website on www.vpt.org, to help voters keep up to date on the issues leading to the state's March 4 presidential primary. Though this site is geared to those 50 and older, all ages are welcome to visit and participate.

In addition, to introducing the candidates and the issues the Vermont Primary Tracker will allow seniors to weigh in on topics including the economy, education, energy and the environment, foreign policy and defense, healthcare, immigration, retirement security, security and civil liberties, social issues and the war. Jon Margolis of Barton, the former national political corespondent for the Chicago Tribune, posts a weekly commentary and provides content for the Vermont Primary Tracker. Margolis left the Tribune in 1995 after having served as their Washington corespondent for 23 years and led their coverage of the Presidential elections from 1976-1988 including being one of the reporters chosen to ask questions of Senators Lloyd Bentsen and Dan Quayle in their 1988 vice presidential debate.

The Vermont Primary Tracker allows seniors to stay up to date on the political issues and voice their opinion. In addition to the discussions there will also be live web chats on Wednesdays. The first live web chat will by on Jan 9 from 7:30-9pm lead by Secretary of State Deb Markowitz on why it is important for Vermonters to vote in the primary.

Seniors have a lot to say and the Vermont Primary Tracker is one more tool to give them a voice.

Sarah Lemnah writes on senior issues for the Champlain Valley Agency on Aging. This article originally appeared in the Burlington Free Press.