How to vote in Vermont
Vermont voter registration guide
Vermont voter registration deadlines
- Register to vote (online): 4 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (by mail): Received 4 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (in person): Election Day
Check your Vermont voter registration status
- If you can't remember if you're registered to vote, or you want to make sure your information is correct, you can check your Vermont registration using the Vermont voter registration lookup site.
- If you're not registered to vote, or you need to update your voter registration information, follow the instructions below.
Vermont voter registration rules
To register in Vermont you must:
- be a citizen of the United States
- be a resident of Vermont
- be 18 years old by Election Day
- have taken the following Oath: You solemnly swear (or affirm) that whenever you give your vote or suffrage, touching any matter that concerns the state of Vermont, you will do it so as in your conscience you shall judge will most conduce to the best good of the same, as established by the Constitution, without fear or favor of any person [Voters Oath, Vermont Constitution, Chapter II, Section 42]
Vermont online voter registration
- You can register to vote online if you have a Vermont driver license, US passport, a recent utility bill or bank statement or other government document. If you are registering to vote for the first time, you will need to upload a photo of your ID document.
- Visit the Vermont online voter registration site.
- Fill out all the required fields.
- You will be registered to vote as soon as you finish the workflow.
- You should receive your voter registration card in the mail within 2-3 weeks. If not, you might want to follow up with your local election office.
- The deadline to register to vote online is 4 days before Election Day .
Vermont by-mail voter registration
- Download and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
- Box 6 - ID Number: Enter your Vermont Driver’s license number or the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. If you don't have either number, please write “NONE” in this space.
- Box 7 - Choice of Party: Vermont does not require party registration to participate in any election.
- Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank.
- Print, date, and sign the form. If you do not have a printer, you can print the form out at any local library. If you do not have a stamp, you can buy one from any grocery store: just ask the cashier to sell you one.
- Mail your voter registration form to the mailing address below. For faster delivery, send the form directly to your local election office.
- Your voter registration form must be received 4 days before Election Day .
Vermont in-person voter registration
- Contact your local election office to find where to register to vote in person.
- Bring your Vermont driver's license or state ID card with you. If you don't have one, bring ONE photo ID that shows your name, and ONE document that shows your name and Vermont address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.
Vermont same day registration
- Summary: Vermont has same day registration. You can register and vote during the early voting period and on Election Day.
- Where to go:
Go to your designated voting location. Click here to find out where to vote.
- What to bring:
Bring your Vermont driver's license or state ID card with you. If you don't have one, bring ONE photo ID that shows your name, and ONE document that shows your name and current address. Acceptable documents include a recent utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.
- Need help? Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Registering to vote in Vermont with a felony conviction
If you have been convicted of a felony and would like to register to vote, please visit Restore Your Vote. They will help you determine your eligibility and guide you through the process.
Vermont absentee and mail ballot guide
Vermont absentee ballot overview
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.
Vermont absentee deadlines
- Earliest day to apply: January 1
- Request deadline (online): 1 day before Election Day
- Request deadline (by mail): Received by Election Day
- Request deadline (in person): 1 day before Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (by mail): Received 1 day BEFORE Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (in person): Received by Election Day
Vermont absentee ballot rules
- 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.
Vermont online ballot request (recommended)
- 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 .
Vermont by-mail ballot request
- 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 Election Day .
Vermont in-person ballot request
- 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 .
After you receive your ballot
- 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. You can also hand-deliver your ballot to a state-provided drop box. Please check with your local election office if your county has a drop box. You can use our Find Out Where To Vote tool to find an official drop box.
- If you mail your ballot, it must be received 1 day BEFORE 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.
Vermont absentee ballot ID requirements
- 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.
Vermont absentee ballot tracker
Track your ballot here: Vermont absentee ballot tracker
Vermont absentee ballot curing
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.
Vermont emergency ballots
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 RulesAll elections are conducted by mail. In cases of emergency illness or injury and at the discretion of the town clerk, a ballot request may be accepted after the deadline (5PM 1 day before Election Day). The request can be made by a family member or healthcare provider acting on your behalf. A ballot may be mailed, electronically delivered, or delivered by two justices of the peace.
- Emergency ballot request starts 5PM 1 day before Election Day
- 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
Vermont early voting guide
Vermont early voting dates
- Early voting starts: 45 days before Election Day
- Early voting ends: 1 day before Election Day
What to bring
Most Vermont voters do not need to show ID. First time Vermont voters should plan on showing ID at the polls. You can show a photo ID issued by any state or the Federal Government, a student ID issued by an accredited college or university, or a tribal ID. If you don't have a photo ID, you can show a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or official government document that shows your name and current address.
Vermont voter ID guide
ID requirements for voting in person
Most Vermont voters do not need to show ID. First time Vermont voters should plan on showing ID at the polls. You can show a photo ID issued by any state or the Federal Government, a student ID issued by an accredited college or university, or a tribal ID. If you don't have a photo ID, you can show a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or official government document that shows your name and current address.
ID requirements when requesting an absentee or mail 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 requirements when returning an absentee or mail 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.
ID requirements for online voter registration
You can register to vote online if you have a Vermont driver license, US passport, a recent utility bill or bank statement or other government document. If you are registering to vote for the first time, you will need to upload a photo of your ID document.
ID requirements for same day registration
Bring your Vermont driver's license or state ID card with you. If you don't have one, bring ONE photo ID that shows your name, and ONE document that shows your name and current address. Acceptable documents include a recent utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.
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
External resources
- Vermont online voter registration
- Vermont online absentee ballot request
- Vermont voter status lookup
- Vermont absentee ballot tracker
- Vermont polling place locator