Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship, on assignment for the Bradford Journal Opinion.
The general election on Nov. 5 is not just about who the next president will be. Local elections are on the ballot as well.
Am I 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 take the voter’s oath.
What is the voter’s oath, and how do I take it?
Vermont requires each voter to take an oath that originated in the state’s 1777 Constitution to affirm that you will vote based on your own opinions and beliefs. You can take the oath when you register to vote, or it can be administered by any person over the age of 18 or by yourself.
How do I know if I am registered to vote?
The state of Vermont does not issue physical voter registration cards. You can visit the voter portal to verify your information and check your registration.
How do I register to vote?
Registering online is easy, 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 the town clerk and register directly.
I live in Bradford. Where is my local town clerk?
The office for the town of Bradford is located at 172 North Main Street. It is open from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and closed the day before the election.
Do I need to register under a specific party?
No, you do not register under a specific party in the state of Vermont.
What forms of identification do I need to register?
You need to have a driver’s license or passport as well as a proof of address. This could be a bill, a bank statement or an official document with both your name and local address on it. If you do not have a photo ID, you can use the last four digits of your Social Security number.
What are Vermont’s regulations on moving from out of state and registering to vote?
You can vote as soon as 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.
What if I don’t want to vote in person? What are my options?
By Oct. 1, the state will send a mail-in ballot to each registered voter’s address for the general election. Contact your local town clerk for more information about these ballots.
You can also apply for an absentee ballot instead if you meet the criteria.
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.
What is the timeline for requesting an absentee ballot?
You can make your request up until 5 p.m. the night before Election Day.
Once I have my absentee ballot, what do I do?
You must send your ballot into the town clerk’s office before it closes or to your local polling location before 7 p.m. on Election Day. Go to the secretary of state’s website for more information regarding the specifics.
How do I vote if I am in the military or voting from overseas?
Military and overseas voters may request an absentee ballot by telephone, fax, email or mail. Once filled out, ballots must be returned to the town clerk in the absentee certificate envelope. Ballots may not be returned by fax or email.
What will my ballot look like?
You can use this online tool to look up a sample ballot for the area in which you will be voting. Your ballot will include both national and local candidates.
How do I find my local polling location?
The secretary of state’s website has an interactive map to help voters find their polling locations. Polling places tend to change, so verify that you have the correct address before Election Day.
What positions are candidates running for in the general election?
There are many national and state-level positions on the ballot this election, from president to Orange County’s state Senate and House seats. Ballotpedia’s website has a detailed list of each position and candidate.