Secretary of State Jim Condos, the state’s chief election official, has been working hard to make sure that as many Vermonters as possible get to cast ballots in the Nov. 3 General Election. His office and elections officials all around the state have taken steps to get ready for an election during the coronavirus pandemic.
“The hard work we have conducted planning and preparing for an election unlike any we have ever experienced will ensure that Vermont voters do not need to choose between their health and their right to vote,” he said.
The Secretary of State’s Office sent out Early Voting ballots to all registered votes in Vermont. Voters who have not received their ballots in the mail by now should contact their town or city clerk to ensure they receive a ballot.
“When Vermonters receive their ballots, it’s important that they follow the included instructions, such as placing their ballot in the voted ballot envelope, filling out the certificate on the envelope completely, and making sure to sign that certificate, for their vote to be counted,” Condos said. “Seal, sign, and send! I am encouraging Vermont voters to help ‘flatten the absentee ballot curve’ by voting and returning their ballots as early as they feel comfortable.”
Voter may also vote in person at the polls on Election Day.
Voters can return their ballots by mail, using the pre-paid postage return envelope that comes with their ballot, bring their voted ballots directly to their local town clerk’s office or bring their ballots to the polls on Election Day. Polling locations will be open as normal for all voters who do not vote early.
Voters are encouraged to contact their town clerks with any issue they experience or questions they have about their ballots. “Our town and city clerks are some of, if not the, hardest working municipal officials in the state,” Condos said. “They are our elections superheroes, keeping the doors open to democracy for Vermonters, and can help their voters troubleshoot any questions that arise, working with our office to ensure a safe, secure, and fair election.”
Condos urged Vermonters who are mailing their ballots to get them in to the post office by Oct. 24 to ensure that they get to the town clerk by Election Day.
Addison County voters who wish to drop off their ballots, rather than put them in the mail, may do so in the following places:
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Addison: Drop ballots off at Town Office during regular office hours in a drop box by the right side of the front door. Addison officials retrieve ballots left in the drop box as they are deposited throughout the day on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8:30 a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m., and Wednesday and Friday 8:30-noon. The drop box is not left out when the office is closed.
Brandon: Brandon Town Office has a ballot drop box at the front counter, Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Otherwise, place ballots in the payment drop box in front of the town office at 49 Center St. or in the box in front of Neshobe School at 17 Neshobe Circle.
On Nov. 3 Brandon is limiting the number of people in the polling place at American Legion Post 55 at 550 Franklin St., so citizens may need to wait outside to drop off ballots there.
Bridport: Put ballots in the mail slot in the door of the Bridport Town Office; on Election Day drop ballots at the polls.
Bristol: Deposit ballots in the large Drop Box at the entrance of the Town Office at 1 South St.; hand‐deliver to the Town Office on Mondays and Wednesdays, 8 a.m.-noon; or bring them to the polling place in person at Holley Hall on Nov. 3.
Cornwall: Drop box on the town hall front porch.
Ferrisburgh: Drop box to the left of the side entrance of the town office. The current box is on the outside, but a new, larger one is being installed that will be inside the building’s entryway. When installation is complete, it will be accessed by a slot from outside the building so it will be available 24 hours per day.
Goshen: Place ballots in a slot in the town hall wall that leads to a secure box inside the town clerk’s office. A free-standing lock box is being erected just outside the town clerk’s office that will be available for ballots, payments and other town business.
Granville: Drop ballots at the Town Clerk’s Office, Monday through Thursday, or place in a newly installed secure ballot drop box.
Hancock: Call the town office at 767-3660 to set up an appointment to drop off a ballot, or use the drop box labeled “town clerk/treasurer” on the outside of our building near the front entrance.
Leicester: Contact the Town Office at 247-5961, ext. 3, to schedule an in-person ballot drop off, or leave your ballot in the drop box in the front of the Leicester Town Office under the bulletin board.
Lincoln: Secure drop box outside the office. It is checked daily.
Middlebury: A large drop box on the landing next to the Town Office side door closest to the Ilsley Library. It is secured to the cement and is under 24-hour video surveillance.
Monkton: Knock on the Town Office door, if open they will accept and-delivered ballots. Otherwise, use a drop box outside the office door on the right.
New Haven: Secure drop box marked with bright pink paper by the front door to the Town Offices/Library. Or hand them through the door: Monday–Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Orwell: Drop off at Town Office in person Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. After hours use the mail slot in the front door, or drop office on Election day at the Orwell Town Hall, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Panton: Drop box inside town hall available 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Thursday, and Friday, 8 a.m.- noon. Drop box on Election Day at Town Garage, 2167 Panton Road, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Ripton: Drop box at the town office.
Salisbury: Drop ballots in the town office during business hours or put then through the mail slot in the front door of the town office anytime.
Shoreham: Drop box — the same one that is used for tax payments.
Starksboro: At the Town Office either hand them to town staff during business hours or drop them in the drop box next to the door.
Vergennes: No drop box; deliver ballots in person at city hall 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays or hand them in on Election Day, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Waltham: Mail slot in the door of the town office, or drop them off during office hours.
Weybridge: Put ballots in the mail slot in the Town Office door any time.
Whiting: Drop ballots in the secure drop box in the door of the town office or bring them to the polls.