Secretary of State encourages Vermonters to make a voting plan

Oct. 14, 2022  |  By Waterbury Roundabout  

Now that ballots have been mailed to the state’s registered voters, Secretary of State Jim Condos is encouraging Vermonters to make a voting plan for the Nov. 8 General Election.

“Whether you plan to vote early by mail, in person at your town clerk’s office by dropping your ballot at a secure ballot drop box, or in person at the polls on Election Day, having a voting plan helps ensure that you don’t experience any issues when casting your ballot,” Condos said in a statement this week.

All active, registered voters have been mailed a ballot and any voter who has not received a ballot yet should contact their Town or City Clerk. 

Condos issued guidance regarding voting options, which also can be found on the Secretary of State’s website, summed up as: “Once you receive your ballot, voting it is as easy as sign, seal and send!”

The key steps for voters to remember are to: 

• Sign: Place your voted ballot in the ballot envelope and sign the certificate on the outside of the envelope, following all instructions included with your ballot.

• Seal: Seal the signed ballot envelope, with the voted ballot inside. Place and seal your ballot envelope inside the mailing envelope.

• Send: Return your ballot to your town or city clerk. They must have it in hand by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8, for it to be counted.

Voters may return ballots by mail – recommended by Oct. 31 – or in person at your municipal office during regular business hours, or at the polls on Election Day.

Many municipal offices also have secure ballot drop-boxes outside their buildings or entries for the public to access 24/7. For example, Waterbury and Duxbury both have secure drop boxes outside the entries at their town office buildings. If you are in another town, check with your municipal clerk’s office to see if they have a drop box available.

Check online at mvp.vermont.gov or directly with your town clerk to find out where your polling place is or to check your registration status.

In Waterbury on Nov. 8, the polls will be set up at Brookside Primary School on Stowe Street from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In Duxbury, voting will be the same hours in a drive-through format outside the town offices and town garage at 5421 Vermont Rt.100. 

“Remember – your vote is your voice,” Condos said. “Make sure you’re ready to use it!”