Illustration by Kate Lewton, Kendall Turney, Myla Van Lynde
Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship, on assignment for the White River Valley Herald.
Voting does not have to be a complex and time-consuming process. Here are some answers to the most common voting questions and resources to make your voting effortless.
How do I know if I am eligible to vote?
To be eligible to vote in the state of Vermont, you have to be at least 18 years old on Election Day, a U.S. citizen, a resident of the town where your address is and have taken the voter’s oath.
There is a box to check on the voter registration form to verify that you have taken the oath. You can administer this oath yourself, or it can be administered by a town clerk, justice of the peace, notary public, commissioned military officer or any person over the age of 18.
The oath is unique to Vermont and originated in the state’s 1777 Constitution. In taking the oath, you affirm that you will vote based on your own proclivities and not let anyone else exercise undue influence over your decision.
How do I know if I am registered to vote?
The state of Vermont does not issue physical voter registration cards. You can visit mvp.vermont.gov to verify voter information. If you are currently registered, you should be able to sign in with your information. If not, then you can register there.
How do I register to vote?
You can register online, or you can print out the paperwork and either mail, email or drop it off at your local town clerk’s office. Another option is to go to your town clerk and register there. Locations for your town clerk can be found on the Office of the Secretary of State’s website.
What if I don’t want to vote in person? What are my options?
If you would prefer to vote from home, all you need to do is apply for an absentee ballot, fill it out and send it back before Election Day. Also, the state of Vermont is automatically sending mail-in ballots to all registered voters this year. For individualized information about mail-in ballots, reach out to your local town clerk’s office.
When should I register to vote?
You can register online up to Tuesday, Nov. 5 (Election Day). The state recommends registering by Friday, Nov. 1, if you want your name to appear on the state’s voter checklist. If registering by mail, state officials recommend mailing it a week before Election Day. You can also register at the polls on Election Day.
Do I need to register under a specific party?
No, you do not register under a specific party in Vermont.
What forms of identification do I need to register?
You need a physical ID and proof of address. Your proof of address could be a bill, a bank statement or an official document with both your name and local address on it.
What if I don’t have a physical ID?
If you don’t have a physical form of identification, you can use the last four digits of your Social Security number.
Where are my local polling locations?
The state has an easy-to-navigate, interactive map online for voters to find their closest polling locations.
What are Vermont’s state regulations on moving from out of state and registering to vote?
You can vote if you have a Vermont address, as long as you are not planning to vote elsewhere. This goes for college students coming from out of state as well. If you consider Vermont to be your primary state of residence, you may vote in Vermont.
How do I vote if I am in the military or living overseas?
Military and overseas voters may request an absentee ballot by telephone, fax, email or mail. Once completed, ballots must be returned to the town clerk in the absentee certificate envelope. Ballots may not be returned by fax or email.
How do I obtain an absentee ballot?
You can send in an absentee ballot request by completing the application online, filling out the paperwork and mailing it in, or going to the town clerk’s office and applying in person. You can make your request up until 5 p.m. the night before Election Day (the night of Monday, Nov. 4).
Once I have my absentee ballot, what do I do?
Your ballot must arrive at your town clerk’s office before 7 p.m. on Election Day, so be sure to mail it a few days in advance.
What will my ballot look like?
You can use an online tool on Ballotpedia to look up a sample ballot for the area in which you will be voting. Your ballot will include measures, federal candidates, statewide candidates and local candidates.
What resources can I refer to to learn more about voting or answer specific questions I have?
Visit the secretary of state’s website for more information.