Vermont

Land Acknowledgement

Vermont is home to the Abenaki Nation at Missisquoi, the Elnu Abenaki Tribe, the Koasek Traditional Band of the Koas Abenaki Nation, and the Nulhegan Abenaki Tribe. It is also the traditional homeland of many tribes.

Overview

You can register to vote by mail, online, or in person. The registration deadline is November 4 online, but same day in person registration is available. You do not need to show a photo ID to vote unless you are a first time voter. Mail-in ballots will automatically be mailed to all active voters.

Key Dates

  • September 25 - Early voting begins

  • October 1 - Date by which mail-in ballots will be sent out

  • November 4 - Deadline to register to vote online

  • November 7 - Deadline to return mail-in ballot to Town Clerk

  • November 7 - Early voting ends

  • November 8 - Deadline to return mail-in ballot to polling place

  • November 8 - In person voter registration deadline

  • November 8 - Election Day

Contacts

  • Town Clerk

  • Elections Division: Email sos.elections@vermont.gov or call (800) 439-8683.

  • Secretary of State: (802) 828-2363

Vermont Voting Guide

Note: The information below is not legal advice on how to vote. Because voting information is changing rapidly during this election, make sure you check the links provided and check with your state about deadlines and voting specifics.

Registering to Vote

  • The deadline to register to vote online is November 4. The deadline to register to vote in person and by mail is November 8. If you are registering by mail, your registration application must be received by November 8.

  • No.

  • To register to vote you need a form of identification. You can provide your Vermont driver's license or Personal ID Number. If you do not have either of these, you can provide the last four digits of your Social Security Number. If you do not have a Social Security Number, contact the State Elections Division at (802) 828-2363. You must also provide your date of birth and your place of birth. You will also need a residential address. If you receive mail at a different address, you must also provide your mailing address. If you are registering to vote for the first time, you must include a copy of an acceptable form of ID. Acceptable forms of ID include: driver's license or passport; current utility bill; current bank statement; or another government document containing your residential address. If you are registering to vote for the first time, you also must complete the Voter's Oath which is included in the registration application.

  • Vermont requires a residential address. This cannot be a P.O. Box. If you do not receive mail at your residential address, you must also provide a mailing address.

  • You can contact your Town Clerk for more information.

  • You can get a Vermont ID from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

  • Yes, you can register to vote online.

  • No.

  • Yes. You can register to vote at your Town Clerk's office. You can find your Town Clerk here:

  • Yes. Print out this application and mail it to your Town Clerk.

  • Yes. You can register to vote with a criminal record even if you are currently incarcerated. A criminal conviction never restricts your right to vote in Vermont.

  • You can contact your Town Clerk with specific questions for registering to vote. You can also email the Elections Division at sos.elections@vermont.gov or call (800) 439-8683.

  • The deadline to register to vote online is November 4. The deadline to register to vote in person and by mail is November 8. If you are registering by mail, your registration application must be received by November 8.

  • Yes, under federal law you can assist someone in registering to vote if they do not speak English well, if they have trouble reading or writing, or if they have a disability.

Checking & Updating Voter Registration

  • You can check your voter registration online here.

  • You can call your Town Clerk to check your voter registration.

  • If you changed your name or moved, you can update your voter registration here.

  • Maybe. Some states regularly remove voters from voting lists that have not voted in recent elections or have not responded to letters from the state asking for the voter to confirm his or her address. If you have not voted recently you should confirm that you are still registered to vote by contacting your Town Clerk, or checking your registration online.

Voting by Mail/Absentee/Ballot Drop-Off

  • All registered voters will automatically be sent a mail-in ballot. Ballots must be received by November 7 if you are returning your ballot to your Town Clerk. Ballots must be received by November 8 if you are returning your ballot to your polling place.

  • Yes. Please check that you have filled out all required fields and signed your ballot. USPS recommends you mail in your ballot a week before the deadline to ensure your ballot is received on time. However, please factor in your personal experience with mail delivery times to and from your place of residence or where you drop off your ballot.

  • All registered voters will automatically receive a mail-in ballot. You can request an early or absentee ballot online or by mailing in or dropping off this application.

  • No.

  • You do not need to request a mail-in ballot.

  • You do not need to request a mail-in ballot.

  • Vermont will send out ballots no later than October 1.

  • Your ballot will be sent to your residential address or the mailing address you provide if you receive mail at an address that is different than your residential address. You can provide any address as your mailing address.

  • Yes.

  • Your ballot must be received by November 7 if mailed to your Town Clerk or by November 8 if mailed to your polling place. USPS recommends you mail in your absentee ballot one week prior to the state deadline, but mail in your ballot as soon as possible.

  • Yes. You can drop your ballot off at your Town Clerk's office by November 7 or to your polling place by November 8.

  • Likely yes. Vermont does not have a specified law on ballot returns. Check with your Town Clerk.

  • No. Ballots may only be sent through USPS.

  • No.

  • Yes. If you are not legally qualified to vote; you have voted in person; if the certificate on the voted ballot envelope is not signed or the voted ballot is not in the voted ballot envelope, the envelope must be marked “defective.” You will be notified that the return of your ballot was defective within three days of the Town Clerk receiving it, and you will have an opportunity to correct the error and have your ballot counted.

  • You can check the status of your ballot here.

  • You can contact your Town Clerk with issues about your mail-in ballot. You can also email the Elections Division at sos.elections@vermont.gov or call (800) 439-8683.

Voting In-Person

  • You can find your polling place and hours online.

  • No.

  • Yes. Early voting ballots will become available by September 25.

  • No. You do not need to show ID unless you are a first-time voter who registered by mail. In this case, you may have to show ID in order to vote.

  • You can get a Vermont ID from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

  • Yes, but use of provisional ballots in Vermont is rare. If you are not on the voter checklist you can affirm you registered by the deadline and vote a regular ballot.

  • Yes. Under federal law (Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act), you are entitled to bring anyone you trust, such as a friend, family member, or neighbor, to the polling place AND into the polling booth to assist with voting. However, that person may not be your employer, running in the election, or a representative of your labor union. The person giving assistance also may not tell the voter how to vote.

  • You can contact your Town Clerk if you have any questions about voting in person.