Know Your Rights: Voting in Vermont

Vermont's leaders have taken great strides to expand access to voting in the state, including by giving voters the ability to register on Election Day at the polls, the recent adoption of universal vote by mail, and provisions that allow people who are currently or formerly incarcerated to retain the right to vote, as well as voting rights for people who are unhoused. 

With that in mind, below you will find some useful information about your rights as a voter in Vermont. Keep in mind that the best resource for your questions about when, how, and where to vote is the MyVoterPage on the Vermont Secretary of State's website. 

Vermont Voting Eligibility Requirements

Any person may register to vote in the town of their residence who, on Election Day:

  1.  Is a citizen of the United States;     
  2.  Is a resident of the state of Vermont (and a resident of the town in which you apply to be added to the checklist); Vermont election law defines a resident as “a person who is domiciled in the town as evidenced by an intent to maintain a principal dwelling place in the town indefinitely and to return there if temporarily absent, coupled with an act or acts consistent with that intent.” 17 V.S.A. § 2122(b).     
  3. Has taken, or has previously taken, the Voter’s Oath; and             
  4. Is 18 years of age or more.

Register to Vote in Vermont

1. Use the Online Voter Registration system, or
2. Submit a Voter Registration Form to your town or city clerk

You can register to vote any day up to or including election day.

Voter ID requirements

  • According to federal law, first-time voters must show an ID when they vote if they did not register to vote in person or did not show a proper form of ID when registering. Some acceptable forms of identification are:
    • Current and valid photo identification
    • Current utility bill
    • Bank statement
    • Government check
    • Paycheck
    • A government-issued document that shows your name and address
  • Vermont has a non-documentary ID requirement
    • Voters must state their name and, if requested, address. Or provide documentation
    • Election officials must confirm the voter is on the registration list
    • “voters who do not show required identification may vote on a provisional ballot. After the close of Election Day, election officials will determine (via a signature check or other verification) whether the voter was eligible and registered, and therefore whether the provisional ballot should be counted. No action on the part of the voter is required.”- NCLS Voter ID Laws

Early and Absentee Voting

  • Voting can start as soon as ballots are available, at least 45 days before the primary or general election and 20 days prior to a municipal election that uses the Australian ballot.
  • In the 2024 general election, all registered voters will be mailed a ballot. During other elections, you may need to request a ballot. If so, all early voter absentee ballot requests must be submitted by 5 p.m. or by the close of the town clerk’s office on the day before the election.
  • If you are sick or have a disability, a ballot can be delivered to your home on Election Day
  • To request an absentee ballot by mail, visit the Vermont Secretary of State - Elections Division website.

Returning Your Ballot

  • All ballots must be returned to the town clerk’s office before the close of the office on the day before the election
  • You can also return your ballot to the polling place before 7 p.m. on the day of the election
  • For the 2024 general election, we suggest getting your ballot in the mail by Tuesday, October 29 to ensure ample time for delivery. After that date, you should plan to use a voter drop box up to 5p.m. on November 4.

 

General Rights on Election Day

  • You have the right to vote as long as you are in line by the time polls close on Election Day
  • You have the right to request a new ballot if you make a mistake
  • You have the right to request a paper ballot if the machines are not working at the polling place
  • If you run into any problems or have questions on Election Day, call the Election Protection Hotline:
    • English: 1-866-OUR-VOTE / 1-866-687-8683
    • Spanish: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA / 1-888-839-8682
    • Arabic: 1-844-YALLA-US / 1-844-925-5287
    • For Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Urdu, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, or Vietnamese: 1-888-274-8683

 

1. What if the polling place working says my name is not on the list of registered voters?

A.What if the polling place working says my name is not on the list of registered voters?

A.

The Facts

What to Do

  • Ask the poll worker to double check for your name on the list of registered voters. Make sure to spell your name out for the poll worker.

  • If your name is not on the list, ask if there is a supplemental list of voters.
  • If the poll worker still cannot find your name, confirm that your are at the correct polling place.
    • Request that the poll workers check a statewide system (if one is available) to see if you are registered to vote at a different polling place
    • If the poll worker does not have access to a statewide system, ask them to call the main election office
    • You can also call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) and ask for help verifying your proper polling place
    • If you are registered at a different location, in most instances you will have to travel to that location to cast a regular ballot
  • If the poll worker still cannot find your name or if you cannot travel to the correct polling place, ask for a provisional ballot.
    • If you are turned away or denied a provisional ballot, call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682) en Español
    • Report your experience to local election officials.

 

2. What if someone is interfering with my right to vote?

A.What if someone is interfering with my right to vote?

A.

Your rights

  • It is illegal to intimidate voters and a federal crime to “intimidate, threaten, [or] coerce... any other person for the purpose of interfering with the right of [that] other person to vote or to vote as he may choose.”

Examples of voter intimidation:

  • Aggressively questioning voters about their citizenship, criminal record, or other qualifications to vote.

  • Falsely representing oneself as an election official.
  • Displaying false or misleading signs about voter fraud and related criminal penalties.
  • Other forms of harassment, particularly harassment targeting non-English speakers and voter of color.
  • Spreading false information about voter requirements.
    • You do not need to speak English to vote, in any state.
    • You do not need to pass a test to vote, in any state.
    • Some states do not require voters to present photo identification.

What to do if you experience voter intimidation

  • In many states, you can give a sworn statement to the poll worker that you satisfy the qualifications to vote in your state, and then proceed to cast a ballot.

  • Report intimidation to the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682) en Español.
  • Report intimidation to your local election officials. Their offices will be open on Election Day.