Rochester, Vermont

REGISTERING TO VOTE IN VERMONT

Voter Eligibility

A person may vote in Vermont if they:

• Are a citizen of the United States
• Are a legal Vermont resident
• Will be at least 18 years of age on the next election date
• Have taken the ‘Voter’s Oath’ (also known as the ‘Freeman’s Oath’)

Accepted Identification

• Valid Vermont driver’s license or state-issued photo ID
• Valid U.S. passport
• Copy of current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other form of documentation that clearly states the applicant’s name and Vermont address

Residency Requirements

• Voters in Vermont must be registered using a residence defined as their ‘principal dwelling’.
• Vermont laws allow voters to maintain registration in their last domicile if they are forced to relocate due to military service, temporary overseas living, nursing home or healthcare facility-based living, college or non-felony jail confinement.
• Voters who are registering in Vermont for the first time must affirm they have taken the state-mandated Voter’s Oath. They may do so when registering in person, by mail or online.

How to Register

• In Person: Any Vermont voter can register in person by submitting a completed registration form to their local town or city clerk’s office. Automatic Voter Registration is now effective at the Department of Motor Vehicles offices when the applicant is obtaining or renewing their driver’s license, unless the applicant opts out from being registered.
• By Mail: Signed and completed voter registration forms should be mailed to the applicant’s town or city clerk’s office. A printable version of the form is available online.
• Online: Voters in Vermont may register online using an electronic application.

Registration Deadline

As of January 1, 2017, eligible voters may register on any day up to and including the day of an election. Registration is available during all normal business hours on days preceding the election and during polling hours on Election Day.

HOW TO VOTE

Where do I Vote?

Vermont voters cast ballots at designated polling centers on scheduled election dates. Information about polling locations is available on the My Voter website. Most polls open between 5am and 10am, and will remain open until 7pm that evening.

Absentee Voting

Any registered voter in Vermont may request and obtain an absentee ballot through their town or city clerk without providing a reason. Registered voters may request and track the status of an absentee ballot by logging into the My Voter Page website. A printable request form is available online. Absentee requests are valid for one year, and must be re-submitted on an annual basis. Absentee ballots may be requested any time throughout the year, but voters are urged to submit their application at least 45 days prior to a scheduled election date. General election ballots are available no later than 45 days before the election date; local election absentee ballots are available no later than 20 days before election day.

VOTING IN COLLEGE

What you need to know

Students attending a college or university in Vermont may register to vote in their school’s town or city and cast ballots in local elections. Alternatively, they may remain registered on their parents’ address and participate in hometown elections using an absentee ballot.

For more information on voting in college check out our Myths of Student Voting.

WHERE TO GO FOR MORE INFORMATION

Elections in Vermont are run through the Secretary of State’s office. For more information, please visit: https://www.sec.state.vt.us/elections.aspx