Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship, on assignment for the Vermont Community Newspaper Group.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Before you can vote, you must determine your eligibility, check your voter registration status and inform yourself on candidate platforms.
How do I know if I’m eligible to vote?
You are eligible to vote in the state of Vermont if you are 18 or older, a U.S. citizen, a Vermont resident, and have taken the voter’s oath.
What is the voter’s oath?
Vermont’s Constitution contains its unique voter’s oath. If you register to vote online, you will be prompted to take the voter’s oath by checking a box. If you are unsure about whether you have taken the oath and are voting in-person, confirm with a poll worker who may administer the oath to you.
How can I register to vote in-person?
Register to vote in person through your local town or city clerk. The South Burlington City Clerk’s Office is located at 180 Market St. and is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closing at noon on the day before the election. The City Clerk’s Office can be reached at 802-846-4105 and through its website.
How can I register to vote online?
You can register to vote online through the Vermont secretary of state’s office at olvr.vermont.gov. You will be prompted to register based on whether you have a Vermont driver’s license, permit or ID. Through this same website, you can also check the status of your registration and confirm that your mailing address is correct.
Will I be mailed a ballot automatically?
S.15, signed into law on Jun. 7, 2021, made permanent the initial Covid-19 provisions requiring the Vermont Office of the Secretary of State to mail ballots to all active voters for general elections. Ballots are expected to be mailed out by Oct. 1 for the 2024 general election.
Log into MyVoterPage (mvp.vermont.gov) to track the status of your ballot. If you don’t receive a ballot in the mail, you can contact the city clerk’s office. If you live at an address different from the one at which you’re registered or will be out of state at the time of the election, you can apply for an absentee ballot.
Can I send my ballot in before Election Day?
If you wish to vote early, you can bring your completed ballot to one of two secure drop boxes at South Burlington City Hall or to the clerk’s office during operating hours, or you can mail your completed ballot to the city clerk’s office.
Can I still vote in-person on Election Day?
Polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 5. If you choose to vote in-person, bring your mailed ballot with you to your district’s designated polling place. Polling and ballot drop box locations are accessible via the Green Mountain Transit bus system. Visit ridegmt.com for more information on bus routes and schedules.
Who will appear on my ballot?
Sample ballots for each district — Chittenden-8, Chittenden-9, Chittenden-10, Chittenden-11, Chittenden-12 — are available from the City of South Burlington.
Where can I find candidate information for the state Senate and House?
South Burlington belongs to the Chittenden-Southeast Senate District. There are three seats up for election and five candidates on the ballot for State Senator. Candidates are listed below as they will appear on the ballot:
• Thomas Chittenden (D), incumbent
• Taylor Craven (I)
• Kesha Ram Hinsdale (D), incumbent
• Virginia “Ginny” Lyons (D), incumbent
• Bruce Roy (R)
• Rohan S. Marthe (R)
South Burlington also belongs to the Chittenden 8-12 legislative House districts. There is one seat up for election and one candidate on the ballot in each district for representative. Candidates are listed below as they will appear on each district’s ballot:
• Chittenden-8: Bridget Marie Burkhardt (D)
• Chittenden-9: Emilie Krasnow (D), Incumbent
• Chittenden-10: Kate Nugent (D), Incumbent
• Chittenden-11: Brian Minier (D), Incumbent
• Chittenden-12: Martin LaLonde (D), Incumbent
If you have further questions about the voting process, contact the South Burlington City Clerk’s Office at 802-846-4105 or southburlingtonvt.gov.