Here at VPIRG we’ve been working for months to ensure that no Vermonter is forced to choose between protecting their health and exercising their right to vote this year. Thankfully, the Vermont legislature recently passed bill S.348 granting full authority to the Secretary of State to mail all registered voters a ballot for this year’s General Election in November.
It’s important to note that S.348 only applies to the November general election, not the August 11th primary. If you’d like to vote by mail for the August primary, you need to request an absentee ballot, which can be done quickly and easily online through the Secretary of State’s “My Voter Page” portal, accessible at mvp.vermont.gov. The Secretary of State has also sent out absentee ballot request postcards to registered voters. You may have received this already – and you can also use that postcard to request a mail ballot for the primary. Early voting for the August primary has already begun, so there’s no time to waste!
Once you have received your absentee ballot in the mail, you can watch this video or follow the instructions below to make sure you complete everything correctly! Ballots that are not filled out and returned correctly will be considered spoiled. It’s important to follow these instructions closely so that your vote will be counted.
WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE IN THE MAIL
Your town clerk will mail you the materials you need to vote. Here’s what you can expect to receive:
- Three ballots (one Republican Party, one Democrat Party, one Progressive Party)
- A “VOTED BALLOT” envelope
- An “UNVOTED BALLOTS” envelope
- A return envelope with prepaid postage
WHAT TO DO
IMPORTANT: You may only fill out ONE ballot. The other two must be left blank.
- Choose the ballot you want to use and mark your selections in black pen.
- When you have finished selecting your preferred candidates, seal your completed ballot in the “VOTED BALLOT” envelope.
- Sign and date the “VOTED BALLOT” envelope.
- Seal the remaining two blank ballots in in the “UNVOTED BALLOTS” envelope.
- Place your sealed “VOTED BALLOT” and “UNVOTED BALLOTS” envelopes inside the return envelope. The postage is prepaid, so there is no need to use any stamps.
- Write your return address (your personal mailing address) in the top left corner of the prepaid return envelope.
- Place your return envelope in a USPS mailbox or drop it off at your local Town Clerk’s Office during regular business hours.
And that’s it! To track the status of your ballot, go to mvp.vermont.gov and enter your Vermont Driver’s License Number or the last four digits of your social security number.
Please note that your ballot must be received by the close of business on August 10th to be counted. You can also deliver you ballot to your polling place during regular voting hours on August 11. If you opt to hand deliver your ballot, or to vote in person, please wear a mask and follow all public health guidelines.
Your town clerk is there to support you in casting your ballot. If you have any questions, please contact your town clerk. You can find their information at https://sos.vermont.gov/elections/town-clerks.