The general election is just two months away, and now is the time to make your voting plan. Below, you will find our guide to preparing to vote in the 2024 election!
Step 1: Register to Vote
The first step to casting your vote? Making sure you are registered to vote! Vermont offers same day voter registration, which means you can register at the polls on November 5. But, it does not hurt to make sure you are registered ahead of time and confirm that you address is up to date. Log onto your MyVoterPage or contact your town or city clerk to register, check your status, and/or make any necessary updates to your voter information, like changes to your mailing address.
Do not let being unsure about your voting registration status prevention you from turning out on Election Day, but updating your information now will also ensure that you receive a ballot by mail in late September thanks to Vermont's universal vote by mail system.
Step 2: Confirm when, where, and how to vote
Make sure you know when and where voting takes place in your community by consulting your Town or City Clerk’s office or log in to your MyVoterPage. You can find a full list of Vermont’s town clerks’ offices and their contact information starting on page 4 of this helpful guide from the Secretary of State’s Office.
Vermont voters have options, so determine how you will plan to vote. Everyone who is currently registered to vote in Vermont will recieve a ballot for the general election by mail, but you are welcome to vote early and in-person at your town/city clerk's office, in-person on Election Day, or using your mail in ballot--just be sure to get it in the mail by October 29 to ensure ample delivery time.
Step 3: Find out who and what is on the ballot
Your MyVoterPage or town/city clerk can provide guidance about who and what will be on the ballot in your district. This includes federal, statewide, and local candidates for office.
Research the candidates and find out whose positions most closely align with your own. Keep an eye out for any informational events or community forums about what is on the ballot, and don't be afraid to reach out to candidates directly in local races to ask them about their position on the issues that matter most to you!
Step 4: Decide when and how you will vote
Once you have researched the candidates and issues and found out how voting mechanics work in your community, it is time to commit to a plan for when and how you will cast your vote--whether that is by mail or in-person.
If you plan to vote by mail, be sure to get your ballot in the mail early or drop it off at your town/city clerk's office up to the day prior to the election. If you plan to vote in person on Election Day, make sure you know when the polls open and close, how you will get to the polls, and any other logistical details you need to sort out like childcare or your work schedule.
Once you have a plan in place, ask three friends about their voting plan, too.
