Vermont absentee and mail ballot guide
All Vermont elections are held by mail. This means that Vermont will automatically send a mail-in ballot to every registered voter ahead of all elections.
- If you need to update your mailing address permanently, register to vote again using your new mailing address.
- If you need to update your mailing address temporarily -- because you will be out of town for a specific election -- request a one-time absentee ballot.
- Earliest day to apply: January 1
- Request deadline (online): 1 day before Election Day
- Request deadline (by mail): Received by 1 day before Election Day
- Request deadline (in person): 1 day before Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (by mail): Received by Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (in person): Received by Election Day
- All Vermont elections are vote-by-mail. This means that Vermont will automatically send a mail-in ballot to every registered voter ahead of all elections.
- If you need to update your mailing address temporarily for a specific election, request a one-time absentee ballot.
- Visit the Vermont absentee ballot website.
- Fill out all of the required information.
- Hit save or submit when you are done.
- The deadline to apply online is 1 day before Election Day.
- Download the Vermont absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Print the application.
- Sign and date your application. This is very important.
- Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
- If it’s close to the deadline, call your local election office and see if they will let you submit your application via email or fax.
- Your application must be received by 1 day before Election Day.
- Visit your local election office.
- Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Sign and date your application.
- The deadline to apply in person is 1 day before Election Day.
- Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
- Sign and date the outside envelope.
- Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your local election office.
- If you mail your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.
- ID required when requesting a mail-in ballot:
- Online application: You will need to provide your Vermont driver's license number, state ID number, or the last 4 digits of your social security number.
- Paper application: The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.
- ID required when returning a mail-in ballot:
You must sign the outside of your ballot envelope for your ballot to be valid. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected.
Track your ballot here: Vermont absentee ballot tracker
Ballot curing is the process of resolving any problems with your absentee or mail ballot to ensure that your vote is counted. After tracking your ballot, contact your local election office to fix any issues that have been noted.
- Your ballot will be rejected if you forget to sign it or if the signature does not match the one that the state has on file for you.
- You'll have until the close of polls on Election Day to cure a defective ballot.
Some states have special procedures that allow you to obtain an emergency ballot if a medical or other emergency occurs after the standard absentee ballot application window.
Emergency Ballot Rules
You can request an emergency absentee ballot if you experience an unexpected illness or hospitalization. The request can be made by a family member or healthcare provider acting on your behalf. The officer request deadline is 5PM 1 day before Election Day, but the town clerk may choose to accept late requests. Ballots will be personally delivered to the person who is incapacitated.
Dates & Deadlines
- Emergency ballot request ends Election Day
- Emergency ballot return deadline is 7PM Election Day at your polling location or it must be received before the office closes 1 day before Election Day.
Contact your local election office
Local election office
Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Statewide election office
This is the statewide agency that is ultimately responsible for Vermont elections. You can contact them with questions, but your local election office will probably respond faster.
Office of the Secretary of State Director of Elections 26 Terrace Street Montpelier, VT 05609‐1101