Secretary Condos Issues Statement on Senate Passage of S.15 Expanding Universal Ballot Mailing

March 18 2021

Montpelier, VT – Today Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos issued the following statement commending the Vermont Senate for passing S.15, which will greatly increase access to the ballot box for Vermont voters by mailing ballots to all voters for General Elections.

“S.15 is a monumental step forward for voter access to the ballot box. Here in Vermont, and nationally, vote by mail has been shown to dramatically increase voter participation in the elections process. I am a firm believer that our democracy is stronger when we all participate.

We have a long and consistent track record of increasing ballot access in Vermont. After conducting a highly successful universal ballot mailing to ensure safe voting for the 2020 election during the height of the pandemic, we heard loud and clear that Vermonters embraced voting by mail with their record-shattering voter turnout. This bill will make it easier for eligible Vermont voters to have their voices heard in the electoral process.

I want to thank Senator Jeanette White for her courageous and diligent leadership crafting this important bill and thank Senator Becca Balint for ensuring this critical legislation was made a priority this session. I would also like to thank those who supported this bill in its tri-partisan passage.

S.15 represents the most significant expansion to voter access through vote by mail in Vermont history and greatly increases the options voters have to exercise their Constitutional right to vote. Voting by mail on a large scale has been proven as a safe and secure method of ballot delivery, here in Vermont and nationally.

I am eager to continue discussions on this critical legislation in the House and strongly support its passage so that Vermont can join the five other states that have been doing this for years. I also look forward to ongoing discussions for how we can further expand the vote by mail process to other Vermont elections, growing democracy at all levels in a common-sense, right fit manner that is best for our state.”