Voting & Elections Toolkits

Deadline

• Eligible persons may register to vote on any day up to and including the day of the election

Online registration

First-time voters using the online registration system must include a photocopy of an acceptable form of ID, which can be a valid photo ID (driver's license or passport), current utility bill, current bank statement, or another government document containing your residential address

Online voter registration system: https://www.olvr.sec.state.vt.us/

Mail-in registration

Printable form: https://www.sec.state.vt.us/media/33935/2017-voter-app.pdf

ID requirements are similar to online registration

In-person registration

Submit a voter registration form to your town or city clerk

Voter registration form: https://www.sec.state.vt.us/media/33935/2017-voter-app.pdf

Guide to Vermont's Town Clerks, Treasurers & County Clerks: https://www.sec.state.vt.us/media/878762/2019townclerkguide.pdf

Choosing a political party   

There is no party registration in Vermont. All registered voters can vote in the primary election--but can only vote on one ballot.      

More information: https://www.sec.state.vt.us/elections/voters/registration.aspx        

Updating registration      

To update registration after a move or name change, notify your town or city clerk immediately or use the online voter registration system: https://olvr.sec.state.vt.us/

Cancelling registration

If you no longer wish to be on the voter checklist, send a written notice to your town or city clerk with your request to be removed.

ID Requirements for Voting

First-Time Voters

First time voters who have registered by mail have to show ID in order to vote.

If you registered when you renewed your driver's license or as part of a voter registration drive, you will not be required to show ID.

All Other Voters

Voters who are not voting for the first time don't need to show identification.

More information: https://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/FAQ/FAQ---Voter-Identification

Where to get an ID

Department of Motor Vehicles

• Locations: https://dmv.vermont.gov/locations

Obtaining a Driver’s License

• New license and transferring from another state: https://dmv.vermont.gov/licenses/new
• Obtaining a non-driver ID: https://dmv.vermont.gov/licenses/types-of-licenses-ids/non-driver-identification

Absentee voting

Opening/closing dates

• Absentee ballots are available from the town clerk's office not later than 45 days before the primary or general election and 20 days prior to a municipal election that uses the Australian ballot
• Absentee ballots can be requested at any point during the year leading up to the election
• All early voter absentee ballots must be returned to the town clerk’s office before the close of the office on the day before the election, or to the polling place before 7 p.m. on the day of the election, in order to be counted.
• When voting by mail, the town clerk must receive the ballot by the close of polls on Election Day in order for it to be counted.
• A voter may vote in the clerk's office, during normal business hours, anytime after the ballots are delivered until the day before the election.

Military voters and voters who reside outside the U.S.

• Military or overseas voters may request an absentee ballot by telephone, fax, email, mail or by using the My Voter Page. You may also request that the unvoted ballot and certificate for the return envelope be sent to you by email, fax, or mail. If you have the ballot and certificate sent by email or fax, the clerk will include instructions for you. Under Vermont law, voted ballots must be returned to the town clerk inside the absentee certificate envelope (with the voter’s original signature). Voted ballots may not be returned by fax or email. 

Who is eligible to use an absentee ballot?

There are no eligibility requirements for early or absentee voting.

The voter or an authorized person—including a candidate or campaign worker, or a family member or a health care provider acting on the voter’s behalf—may apply for an early voter absentee ballot in person, online at their My Voter Page, by phone, or by mail.  Requests submitted on a voter’s behalf by an unrelated authorized person (except health care workers) must be made in writing or in person. All other requests can be made by telephone, in person, or in writing.

More information: https://www.sec.state.vt.us/elections/voters/absentee-voting.aspx

Polling places and hours

• Use this list of 2020 Town Meeting, August Primary, and November General Election Polling Places to find your polling place: https://www.sec.state.vt.us/media/915138/2020-vt-primary-general-tm-polling-places.xls
  • The listing is updated on a rolling basis. If your town is not listed, please contact your town clerk.
• All polls in Vermont are open between 5 and 10 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
• Time off to vote: Vermont does not have a law that requires an employer to grant its employee leave, paid or unpaid, to vote

More information: https://www.sec.state.vt.us/elections/voters.aspx

Rides to the polls

Many organizations offer free rides to polling places. Some of these include:

• Lyft (www.lyft.com) provides free or discounted rides in some underserved communities
• Political parties sometimes arrange rides for voters. Contact the local office:
  • Republican Party: https://www.vtgop.org/
  • Democratic Party: https://www.vtdemocrats.org/

Help for disabled voters

• Disability Rights Vermont (http://www.disabilityrightsvt.org/) has a Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access (PAVA) program.
• A tablet accessible voting system is available at the polls for voters needing accommodation to assist with voting
• For additional accommodation options and contacts: https://www.sec.state.vt.us/elections/voters/accessibility.aspx

Ballots

Where to get more info on candidates: https://www.sec.state.vt.us/elections/candidates.aspx

Sample ballots

• Use the My Voter Page system to view a sample ballot: https://mvp.sec.state.vt.us/

Who are the candidates, and what else is on the ballot?

• Sample ballots: Use the My Voter Page system to view a sample ballot: https://mvp.sec.state.vt.us/

Important Dates

Town Meeting and Presidential Primary: March 3, 2020

Election Day is November 3, 2020

2020 Elections Calendar: https://www.sec.state.vt.us/media/915046/2020-calendar.pdf

Who conducts elections?

• The Secretary of State is the chief election official of Vermont
• The Elections Division of the Vermont Secretary of State office guides the administration of Vermont’s elections
• The Board of Civil Authority of each town or city (with a few exceptions) is in charge of the conduct of elections within the municipality
• The town clerk maintains voter information on the statewide checklist, posts all notices and warnings, processes absentee ballots, serves as presiding officer at the polling place, and prepares and submits the Official Return of Votes (with another election official)

Voter Bill of Rights

English: https://www.sec.state.vt.us/media/57063/2008VTVoterBillofRights.pdf

Where to go with complaints about candidates or how elections are conducted

Contest of elections: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/17/051/02603

Administration complaint procedure: https://www.sec.state.vt.us/media/913460/appendix-l-admin-complaint-proc.pdf

Contact information for the Election Division, Vermont Secretary of State office: https://www.sec.state.vt.us/elections/contact-us.aspx

Campaign finance

Vermont Campaign Finance System (https://campaignfinance.sec.state.vt.us/) provides access to information filed by candidates, PACs, and parties.

How to contact your elected officials:

Find your elected officials: https://www.vermont.gov/government