VERMONT — Anyone wishing to run for office in Vermont as an independent has until this Thursday to file their nomination papers.
Independent candidates must file a statement of nomination (also known as a petition), consent of candidate form, and financial disclosure forms with the Office of the Secretary of State in order to be placed on the ballot in the general election. Independent candidates for Justice of the Peace file with the town clerk.
According to the Vermont Secretary of State, Independent candidates’ statements of nomination, consent forms and financial disclosure forms must be filed no later than 5 p.m. on the Thursday before the statewide primary — Aug. 9 (petitions for Independent Justice of the Peace candidates are filed with the town clerk no later than three days after the Primary).
Candidates must file a minimum number of signatures of registered voters in their district. The minimum numbers are:
•  Statewide candidates: 500 signatures.
•  State senate candidates: 100 signatures.
•  State representative: 50 signatures.
•  County candidates (sheriff, high bailiff, state’s attorney, probate judge, assistant judge): 100 signatures
A sample petition can be downloaded from the Vermont Secretary of State’s website at sec.state.vt.us/elections/candidates.aspx. That site also has more information on the mechanics of getting on the ballot.
Each candidate for non-federal statewide office, state senate, or state representative must also file a Financial Disclosure form prepared by the State Ethics Commission along with their petition and Consent of Candidate. County office candidates are not required to file a financial disclosure.
Each candidate for non-federal statewide office (governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, secretary of state, auditor and attorney general) are also required to file his or her most recent IRS Form 1040. The law allows for certain information to be redacted.
Collect the appropriate number of signatures for the office, fill out the consent of candidate form and the financial disclosure forms, and submit them to the Office of the Secretary of State.
Vermont law states that no candidate appearing on the ballot as a candidate of an organized political party can appear on the ballot as an “Independent.”