En español | Vermont’s Aug. 9 primaries will determine which candidates appear on November’s general election ballot for governor, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the state legislature and other state offices.

What's new this year?

All active voters will be mailed a ballot for the November general election, thanks to legislation passed in 2021. A new redistricting plan has changed certain boundaries of Vermont’s state legislative districts and may affect which candidates appear on your ballot. 

Essential info:

• Absentee voting: All registered voters can vote absentee by mail in August's primaries and November’s general election. But for the primaries, you’ll need to apply to do so.
  

• Early in-person voting: You can vote early and in person from June 27 through Aug. 8 for the primaries and from Sept. 26 through Nov. 7 for the general election.

• In-person voting on Election Day: The primary takes place on Tuesday, Aug. 9; the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Polls open between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., depending on your town, and close at 7 p.m.

How do I register to vote?

• Online: Go to My Voter Page, the state’s online voter portal, to register. You must provide a photocopy of an acceptable form of ID, such as a Vermont driver’s license, current utility bill or a government document that lists your residential address. You can register up to and on Election Day. But you are encouraged to register by Aug. 5 for the primaries and by Nov. 4 for the general election to ensure your name appears on the state’s voter checklist.  

• By mail: Print out a registration form, complete it and mail it to your town or city clerk. Or call your clerk’s office and ask for an application to be mailed to you. Election officials must receive your form by close of business on Aug. 5 for the primaries and on Nov. 4 for the general election. If your form doesn’t arrive in time, you can still register at your polling place on Election Day.

• In person: Go to your town or city clerk’s office during normal business hours until the day before the election, or register at the polls on Election Day.

If your name is not on the state's voter checklist when you arrive at your polling location, you may be asked to fill out additional paperwork. Use the state’s voter portal or call your town or city clerk to check your registration status.

Does my party affiliation matter when I vote in the primaries?

No. Voters don't register with a party in Vermont, so you can choose the primary in which you want to vote. But you can only vote in one party's primary.

If you request an absentee ballot, the state will send one for each of Vermont’s three major parties: Democrat, Republican and Progressive. You should mark only one of the ballots, but you must return all three.

How can I get an absentee ballot? Are there important deadlines?

Any registered voter can request a no-excuse absentee ballot and vote from home in the August primaries. Requests for absentee ballots are open year-round, but you must renew your request each year.

For the general election, the state will automatically mail you a ballot if you’re an active voter.

For the primaries, request a ballot online, by mail or in person. 

• Online: Use My Voter Page to request your ballot. Or print out an application form, and email or fax the completed application to your town or city clerk by Aug. 8. Your request must be submitted by 5 p.m. or before your clerk’s office closes.

• By mail: Download an application form, complete it and mail it to your town or city clerk’s office. It must be received by close of business on Aug. 8. Or call your town or city clerk’s office and ask that an application be mailed to you.

• In person: Go to your town or city clerk’s office between June 27 and close of business on Aug. 8. You may request a ballot and vote that day.

You can receive your ballot electronically through the state’s voter portal if you’re ill, injured or have a disability. Or you can have a ballot delivered to your home on Election Day and submitted for you. Contact your town or city clerk’s office for more information.

How do I return my absentee ballot?

Once you receive and complete your ballot, sign the certificate on the outside of the security envelope and return the sealed envelope by mail or in person. Postage will be provided to return your ballot for the general election but not for the primaries. 

• By mail: Mail your pre-addressed ballot to your town or city clerk’s office. It must be received by the close of business on Aug. 8 for the primaries and Nov. 7 for the general. Allow at least seven mailing days for your ballot to be received.

• In person: Hand-deliver your ballot to your town or city clerk’s office or a drop box location, if your town has one, by close of business on Aug. 8 for the primaries and Nov. 7 for the general. Or bring it to the polls by 7 p.m. on Election Day. For drop box locations, call your town or city clerk.

Enter your information at My Voter Page to track your ballot. Voters can correct a ballot if the clerk finds an error, such as a missing signature. The clerk will notify you if your ballot was returned incorrectly.

Can I vote in person before Election Day?

You can vote early and in person at your town or city clerk’s office between June 27 and Aug. 8 for the primaries and Sept. 26 and Nov. 7 for the general. Check the secretary of state’s town clerk guide for locations and hours. 

When is Election Day? When are polls open?

The primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 9, and the general is Tuesday, Nov. 8. Polls must open by 10 a.m. and must close at 7 p.m., but some may open as early as 5 a.m. Check with your city or town clerk.

You can vote after 7 p.m. as long as you were in line before the polls closed.

Use the My Voter Page to find your polling location. 

Do I need identification to vote?

No, unless you’re a first-time Vermont voter registering by mail or online.

In that case, you’ll need to include a photocopy of an acceptable form of ID when you register. You must also take the voter’s oath.

What races are on the ballot?

• U.S. Senate: seat of Sen. Patrick Leahy (D), who is not seeking reelection
• U.S. House: the state’s sole seat
• Governor
• Lieutenant governor and other state offices
• State Senate: all 30 seats
• State House: all 150 seats

Editor’s note: This guide was updated on April 8 with information about how to vote in 2022. The guide was first published on Aug. 20, 2020.

Also of Interest

• Stay updated on the 2022 election at AARP.org/elections.
• Keep up with local events and AARP advocacy efforts at aarp.org/vermont.