Vermont Voting Guide

Welcome to FindLaw’s Vermont Voter Guide. In this article, you’ll find answers to all of your questions about voting in the next Vermont election. We’ll examine voter eligibility, absentee voting, the voter registration process, and in-person voting. We will also discuss special accommodations available for disabled Vermont voters and what to do if you see illegal activity at the polls.

The voting process can be confusing, and the rules vary by state. Learn the general election information you’ll need in our Vermont Voting Guide and be ready to make your vote count.

Voter Eligibility in Vermont

Vermont’s election officials have specific requirements regarding voting and voter registration. Before you can cast your ballot on Election Day, you must first register to vote. Familiarizing yourself with Vermont’s eligibility requirements before the next upcoming election can make the process smooth and easy.

You are eligible to register to vote in Vermont if you:

• Are a U.S. citizen
• Are a resident of Vermont
• Have taken the state’s “Voter’s Oath”
• Are at least 18 years old (or will be by Election Day)

Vermont is one of only two states (along with Maine) that don’t restrict the voting rights of people with felony convictions, even while the individual is incarcerated. All a felon needs to do is register to vote using their last residential address, and election officials will add them to the list of eligible voters.

If you’re uncertain of your registration status, check Vermont’s voting website.

Where Do I Vote?

Come Election Day, it’s essential that you know where you must go to cast your ballot. If you plan on voting in person, you’ll find the location of your polling place at sos.vermont.gov, the Vermont Secretary of State website. This site offers other valuable voting resources as well.

How To Register in Vermont

If you’re a first-time voter or are new to Vermont, you must register to vote if you expect to participate in the next local, state, or federal election.

There are several ways to register to vote in Vermont. These include registering:

• In Person: Fill out a voter registration form at your local town office or city clerk’s office. You can register up to or on Election Day.
• Online: Register on Vermont’s Online Voter Registration website. You can also update your name or address. If you are a first-time voter, be prepared to scan and upload a copy of your ID.
• At the DMV: The DMV automatically registers you to vote when you apply for a driver’s license or nondriver identification card.
• By Mail: Complete and mail a voter registration form to your local town office or city clerk. You can register up to or on Election Day.

If you need help registering to vote or have questions about your eligibility, contact a Vermont civil rights attorney. Not only can they confirm your voter eligibility, but they can also provide you with sample ballots and explain what to expect on Election Day.

Your attorney will also explain what to look out for at the polling place. If you’re worried that a poll worker will somehow violate your voting rights, a lawyer can walk you through a mental checklist or set of red flags.

When Is Vermont’s Voter Registration Deadline?

In Vermont, you can register to vote at any time leading up to Election Day. You can even register to vote on the day of the election. If you choose to take advantage of same-day registration, you must bring the same information to the polling place that you would need if you registered in person ahead of the election.

Once you submit your “Application for Addition to the Checklist,” a presiding official will review it and approve or reject your registration. If they cannot confirm your information, you will have to wait to hear back from the election officials in writing.

How Does Mail-in Voting Work in Vermont?

Vermont uses a universal mail-in voting system for general elections. All registered voters automatically receive a mail-in ballot approximately four weeks before Election Day. You don’t need a reason or excuse to vote by mail.

You can return your completed ballot by mail by Election Day or drop it off in person at your town clerk‘s office or designated drop-box by 7 p.m. on Election Day. For primary elections, you must request a ballot online or at your clerk’s office.

While you have the right to cast a mail-in ballot, there are limits to how many ballots an individual can submit to their local election office. Vermont law allows people to submit mail-in ballots for other people, but there are restrictions. You cannot submit more than 25 mail-in ballots in the state of Vermont. The only exceptions are Justices of the Peace or an official election worker.

Early Voting in the State of Vermont

You can vote early in both primary elections and general elections in Vermont. For general elections, the state mails a copy to all qualified voters on or before October 1 of all even-numbered years. You can cast an early ballot by mail or in person. If you prefer a paper ballot, you can download one from the state website and either drop it off or mail it to your town clerk’s office. You must return all early voting ballots and absentee ballots no later than Election Day, or drop them off at your polling location by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

If you need an absentee ballot, you have until 5 p.m. on the day before the election to request one from your clerk’s office. You will receive voting instructions with your ballot. For other questions, visit the Vermont Voter Portal.

What Should You Bring to the Polls?

In Vermont, you only need your photo ID when registering, not voting. If you are already registered to vote, you don’t have to bring anything with you to the polling place.

First-time voters who register by mail must bring one of the following documents:

• Valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport
• Current utility bill
• Most recent bank statement
• Government document listing your residence

If you don’t bring the necessary documents, you may only cast a provisional ballot.

What Special Accommodations Are Available at Vermont Polling Places?

In America, people with disabilities have the right to reasonable accommodations at the polling place. The Vermont Secretary of State maintains an accessible voting system to help individuals with disabilities. Election officials will ensure these aids are available.

Disabled voters in Vermont are entitled to the following accommodations:

• Curbside voting: People who cannot walk into the polling place can request that a poll worker bring a ballot to their car for them to fill out
• Not waiting in line: If an individual cannot stand to wait in line, they can ask to wait in a nearby chair or request to be moved to the front
• Bring someone to assist: All voters have the right to bring someone with them to the polling place to assist them with voting (this person cannot be the individual’s employer or union representative)
• Right to privacy: Even though a voter may need assistance due to a disability, they still have the right to vote in private and to keep their vote confidential
• Reminder sheet: People with a disability can bring a sheet of paper with notes about who they plan to vote for
• Preview a sample ballot: Voters are allowed to see a sample ballot prior to voting
• Accessible voting machines: All polling places in Vermont must provide voters with accessible voting machines and equipment
• Use a tablet to vote: Individuals with a disability have the right to vote using a tablet or other electronic device
• Mail-in ballot: Voters are able to fill out a mail-in ballot online rather than vote in person

Some of these rights are the result of new accessible voting option laws passed in 2018.

If someone has violated your rights, contact a Vermont voting rights attorney or call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683).

What if You See Illegal Activity at the Polls?

If you experience voter intimidation or see someone engaging in illegal activity while at the polls, you should report it. Alert a poll worker or their supervisor to this behavior as soon as possible so they can prevent harm or a violation of other voters’ rights.

Some of the more common types of voter intimidation and other illegal activity you may see at the polls include:

• Shouting, yelling, or harassing voters outside the polling place
• Taking pictures of voters
• Physically assaulting someone
• Selling political items or any other goods inside or near a polling place
• Threatening voters or poll workers
• Trying to convince people to vote a certain way

Reporting these violations ensures the integrity of the voting process. If you feel someone has interfered with your right to vote, speak with a local voting rights lawyer.

Seek Legal Advice From a Vermont Civil Rights Attorney

Voting is one of the most fundamental rights we have as U.S. citizens. If you have questions about voting in Vermont or believe someone has violated your civil rights, you need to protect yourself. Contact a local Vermont civil rights attorney today and schedule your free initial consultation.