Elections > Voters > Voter FAQs > Voter Registration FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions - Voter Registration
- How do I register to vote?
- How do I verify if I am registered to vote in Vermont?
- What is the deadline to register to vote?
- How do I get a voter registration form?
- How do I contact my town or city clerk?
- Am I eligible to vote in Vermont?
- Who is a resident for voting purposes?
- Can you be registered or vote in more than one town?
- Do I have to register as a Democrat, Republican, Independent or some other party in Vermont?
- Why does the voter registration form require a description of where my principal dwelling is located? Why isn’t it sufficient to just give a mailing address?
- Why does the voter registration form require a mailing address and phone number?
- Can you register to vote before you are 18?
- Who needs to take the Voter’s Oath
- Who can give the Voter’s Oath?
- What does the Voter’s Oath mean?
- What if I don’t believe in swearing oaths?
- Should I keep a copy of my application?
- What happens once you submit your application?
- Will I get a voter registration card?
- I am from out of state and I go to college in Vermont. Can I vote in Vermont?
- I just moved to Vermont. Do I have to live here for a while before I can vote here?
- What do I do if I move within the town or change my name?
- Can I vote in Vermont even though I am at college or working out of state?
- I am in college in Vermont but want to vote a ballot from my home state. How do I do this?
- I am now residing in a retirement community. Where should I register to vote?
- How can I register to vote if I am homeless?
- I am an incarcerated felon. Can I vote in the state of Vermont?
- When I register to vote, does it become public information?
- Where does a person register who lives out of the country or who is serving in the military or who is at college, in prison, or in a nursing home?
- What if I do not want my name on the checklist because of domestic violence, sexual abuse, or stalking?
- I no longer want to be on the voter checklist. How do I remove my name?
- Are there penalties for voting in a town where you no longer live?
- I would like to conduct a voter registration drive. What is involved?
- Once the voter registration drive is over, where do I send the voter registration applications?
- I would like to receive the Vermont Statewide Voter Checklist—is there a fee?
How do I register to vote?
Register to vote in Vermont by:
1. Using our Online Voter Registration system, or
2. Submitting a voter registration form to your town or city clerk.
Visit the Registration page to find out everything you need to know to register to vote in Vermont and to download a voter registration form.
When completing your application, you must include your Vermont driver’s license number on the form. If you do not have a Vermont driver’s license number or if your license is suspended, include the last four digits of your Social Security number. Be sure to take the Voter’s Oath if you have never voted in Vermont (the Oath can be self-administered and is contained on the online and paper applications). Once your application is completed, you must submit the form to the town or city clerk in the town or city in which you reside.
You will be given an opportunity to register to vote or update your address when you register your car, get a driver’s license, or renew your registration or license with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You will also be offered an opportunity to register whenever you apply for benefits from a designated agency in state government.
Complete the Application for Addition to the Checklist.
How do I verify if I am registered to vote in Vermont?
You can check your registration status online, here.
You may also contact your town or city clerk.
What is the deadline to register to vote?
Beginning January 1, 2017, eligible persons may register to vote on any day up to and including the day of the election.
Registration is available during all normal business hours of your town or city clerk's office on days preceding the election and during polling hours on Election Day. 17 V.S.A. § 2144
You may also register to vote online, here.
Once you are registered to vote you do not need to re-register unless you move to a new town.
How do I get a voter registration form?
In Vermont, voter registration forms are called Applications for Addition to the Checklist.
Click to download an Application for Addition to the Checklist or call 1-800-439-VOTE.
You may also register online using our Online Voter Registration system.
How do I contact my town or city clerk?
Contact information for town and city clerks, treasurers, and county clerks can be found in the Guide to Vermont’s Town Clerks, Treasurers & County Clerks.
Am I eligible to vote in Vermont?
Any person may register to vote in the town of his or her residence who, on Election Day:
- 1. is a citizen of the United States;
- 2. is a resident of the state of Vermont (and a resident of the town in which you apply to be added to the checklist);
- 3. has taken, or has previously taken, the Voter’s Oath (formerly called the “Freeman’s Oath”); and
- 4. is 18 years of age or more.
Any person meeting the requirements above who will be 18 on or before the date of a general election may register and vote in the primary election immediately preceding that general election. See 17 V.S.A. § 2121.
For purposes of voter registration, the Vermont Statutes define residency as follows:
“Resident” shall mean a person who is domiciled in the town as evidenced by an intent to maintain a principal dwelling place in the town indefinitely and to return there if temporarily absent, coupled with an act or acts consistent with that intent. 17 V.S.A. § 2122(b).
Who is a resident for voting purposes?
Vermont election law defines a resident as “a person who is domiciled in the town as evidenced by an intent to maintain a principal dwelling place in the town indefinitely and to return there if temporarily absent, coupled with an act or acts consistent with that intent.” 17 V.S.A. § 2122(b).
The law creates a subjective standard. This means that it is the voter’s intent and actions that determine residency, not how many nights a year the voter sleeps in town. A voter who has more than one home must decide which one is his or her “principal” dwelling place.
Special cases: Vermont election law allows a person to remain registered in the last town in which they resided if they are in the military, living overseas, in a nursing home or other health care facility, in a veterans home, attending school, or in a correctional institution. See 17 V.S.A. § 2122(a).
Can you be registered or vote in more than one town?
A voter may only register and vote in one town. It is unlawful to vote, or to attempt to vote, in more than one town. See 17 V.S.A. § 1973.
When you register in a new town you must indicate on your registration form what town you are currently registered in so that your name can be removed from the voter checklist in that town.
Do I have to register as a Democrat, Republican, Independent or some other party in Vermont?
No. There is no party registration in Vermont.
All registered voters can vote in the primary election—but can only vote on one ballot. You will be given a ballot for each of the major parties. You mark one of the ballots and put the remaining unvoted ballots into a discard bin. Which ballot you chose to vote is private and not recorded (except during the presidential primary, where voters must publicly take one ballot or the other, and their choice is recorded on the entrance checklist).
Why does the voter registration form require a description of where my principal dwelling is located? Why isn’t it sufficient to just give a mailing address?
The town clerk must be given enough information to determine whether you live in the town where you are registering, and in some communities the clerk must decide what voting district you live in. It is therefore important to include the number, street name, and apartment number of your residence on the registration form. If you live in a dormitory or other institution you must include the dormitory or building name and room number, not just a box number, because the campus may be split between more than one district. If you also provide a mailing address, your physical address will not be disclosed on any publicly provided checklist.
Why does the voter registration form require a mailing address and phone number?
If your mailing address is different than your dwelling place location address it is important to provide the mailing address so that the town clerk knows where to send the notification that you have been added to the checklist. The mailing address will also be used to deliver any absentee ballots that a voter may request. A phone number is also important so that the town clerk can call you if there is a need to clarify any information on the application.
Can you register to vote before you are 18?
Yes. If you are not yet 18 years old but will become 18 years old before the next election, the application can be completed and submitted to the town clerk any time before the deadline to register. This application will serve as a written notice of intent to apply before the deadline for registration. Your registration will become active on the day you turn 18. Note that you cannot take the Voters’ Oath until you are 18, so the oath section should not be filled out.
Additionally, a person who will be 18 on or before the date of a general election may register and vote in the primary election immediately preceding that general election.
Who needs to take the Voter’s Oath
If you are registering to vote in Vermont for the first time, you must take the Voter’s Oath. If you have already taken the oath in Vermont, check that box and do not take the oath again.
If you have previously voted in Vermont, you do not need to take the voter’s oath again. If not, the oath can be administered by a town clerk, justice of the peace, notary public, commissioned military officer, any person over the age of 18, or by yourself. If you do not take oaths, you may take it as an affirmation.
The person who administered the oath, or you, if you are attesting for yourself that you have taken the oath, must date and sign the attestation in the box on the application form. You must be 18 years old to take the Voter’s Oath. If you are not yet 18, you can file your application without taking the oath, and take the oath at the polling place on Election Day. However, if you intend to request an early or absentee ballot, you must take the oath before voting by early or absentee ballot.
Who can give the Voter’s Oath?
The oath can be administered by a town clerk, justice of the peace, notary public, commissioned military officer, any person over the age of 18, or by yourself. The person who administered the oath, or you, if you are attesting for yourself that you have taken the oath, must date and sign the attestation in the box on the application form.
What does the Voter’s Oath mean?
The oath is unique to Vermont. It was originally required in the 1777 Vermont Constitution. It was known as the “Freeman’s Oath” until the Inclusive Language Revision Amendment of 1994, when it became the “Voter’s Oath.” The oath simply says that you will vote your conscience and not let anyone tell you how to vote.
What if I don’t believe in swearing oaths?
If you do not take oaths, you may “affirm” instead.
Should I keep a copy of my application?
Yes! Keep a copy of your application. If you have not received confirmation of addition to the checklist by the week before the election, this will be proof that you registered in time to vote.
If for any reason your application has not been processed and your name does not appear on the checklist when you go to the polls, it is easiest if you have a copy of your application with you. If you do not have a copy of your application you will be provided a voter registration form to complete, and you will be allowed to vote.
What happens once you submit your application?
Whether you register online or use a paper application, the town clerk will review your application. If the town clerk finds that you meet the eligibility requirements you will be added to the checklist and become a registered voter. The town clerk will notify you in writing whether or not your application has been approved. If you have not received notification by the week of the election, call your town clerk.
If the town clerk questions your eligibility, the Board of Civil Authority will review your application. If it finds that you are not eligible, it must state the reason in writing and give you a chance to be reconsidered. If you are still denied by the Board of Civil Authority, you can appeal to a superior or district judge in your county through an informal process (no filing fee or lawyer is required).
Will I get a voter registration card?
No. In Vermont we do not have voter registration cards. You will receive a receipt or a copy of your voter registration form which you can keep to bring to the polls with you on Election Day. However, even if you do not have your registration receipt you will still be allowed to vote.
I am from out of state and I go to college in Vermont. Can I vote in Vermont?
Yes, any U.S. citizen who is 18 years old and who lives in Vermont can vote in Vermont if the voter considers Vermont to be his or her primary residence.
I just moved to Vermont. Do I have to live here for a while before I can vote here?
No. As soon as you move to Vermont you can vote here if Vermont is your primary residence.
You must reside in the town or city where you register to vote.
What do I do if I move within the town or change my name?
If your name or address should change please notify your town or city clerk immediately, as it is your responsibility to keep your name and address current.
Can I vote in Vermont even though I am at college or working out of state?
Yes. If you are living out of state temporarily—for example, for college, military service, or for a job—you can continue to vote in Vermont where you were last living as long as you consider that location your primary residence and have a specific intent to return.
You can contact the town or city clerk and ask that they send you an absentee ballot. The ballots can be sent to you as early as 45 days prior to a primary or general election, and 20 days prior to a local election. See Absentee Voting FAQs for more information.
I am in college in Vermont but want to vote a ballot from my home state. How do I do this?
You should check with the Office of the Secretary of State or Elections Board in your home state to find out how to register to vote and/or request an absentee ballot. Most states have this information online. Also, your college registrar should have information for you on registering and voting in your home state.
I am now residing in a retirement community. Where should I register to vote?
A person residing in a retirement community, nursing home, or other health care facility may remain on the checklist of the town in which they previously resided, or they may register to vote at the address of the community, home, or facility.
How can I register to vote if I am homeless?
If you are homeless you may register to vote in the town, and in the district within a town, that includes the place that you consider your principal dwelling place. The definition of residency applies in the same way to someone who is homeless as it does to persons who own or rent their principal dwelling place.
I am an incarcerated felon. Can I vote in the state of Vermont?
Yes. You should register to vote in the town or city in which you resided before being incarcerated.
When I register to vote, does it become public information?
Yes. The town clerks are required to post a copy of the checklist before each election.
Where does a person register who lives out of the country or who is serving in the military or who is at college, in prison, or in a nursing home?
If you are serving in the military, attending an educational institution, in a nursing home or health care facility, in prison, or living abroad, the Vermont Statutes allow you to keep your residency for voting purposes in the last town in which you resided before you left. You may be added to, or remain on, the checklist in the last town in which you resided.
If you are in the military, once you leave the service or return to the United States, you may establish a new residency for voting purposes. However, you cannot apply to be added to the checklist in a different town in Vermont until you physically return and establish your principal dwelling place in a different town.
What if I do not want my name on the checklist because of domestic violence, sexual abuse, or stalking?
Vermont provides the Safe at Home program that allows anonymity to the applicant.
Each Safe at Home participant is granted the use of a Montpelier post office box address. The substitute address has no relation to the participant’s actual address. All participants use the same post office box as designated by the program. First-class mail and service of process is sent to the post office box and then forwarded, at no cost, to the participant’s actual location.
Interested applicants may apply for program participation at a local domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking program office, or through a statewide victim advocate office.
I no longer want to be on the voter checklist. How do I remove my name?
Send a written notice to your town clerk with your request to be removed.
Are there penalties for voting in a town where you no longer live?
It is unlawful to give false information concerning your qualifications to be a registered voter of a town or city in Vermont. The penalties are serious, including penalties of up to a $10,000 fine or imprisonment for not more than 15 years, or both.
You may want to vote in the town in which you grew up, or where you lived for a long time. You may want to vote in the town where you have purchased land in Vermont, and plan to move to that town in the future. However, unless your principal dwelling place is currently in the town, you cannot apply to be added to the checklist of that town. Likewise, you cannot remain on a checklist in a town when you have moved to a principal dwelling place in another town or city. You can only register to vote in your current town of residence. It is perjury to give false information about your town of residence on the application form.
I would like to conduct a voter registration drive. What is involved?
Please visit our online guide.
Once the voter registration drive is over, where do I send the voter registration applications?
You will mail or deliver the applications to the town clerk's office. If there are multiple towns, you may send the applications to the Office of the Secretary of State, Elections Division at 128 State Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05633. An election administrator will send the voter registration applications to the respective town clerk.
I would like to receive the Vermont Statewide Voter Checklist—is there a fee?
To receive a copy of the Checklist, please complete and return the signed affidavit to the Vermont Secretary of State, Elections Division at 128 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05633. You may also submit the form via email to sos.elections@vermont.gov. There is no cost for the checklist
Contact Information
Elections Division
128 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05633
Office Hours:
7:45 to 4:30, Monday - Friday
(Except Holidays)
802-828-2363
Contact the Elections Division
