Voters Must Be Given Extra Assurances Amid Covid-19 Concerns

It is critical that Vermonters have the ability to vote safely and that appropriate time is allotted to ensure all votes are fully counted.  Therefore, the League of Women Voters of Vermont calls for statewide expansion of absentee voting and mail-in ballots for the duration of the 2020 election cycle due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. 

The League is urging the public to vote absentee in the August 11 Primary Election and, if necessary, in the November 3 General Election. As well, the League of Women Voters of Vermont is strongly advocating for the Secretary of State to mail ballots out to everyone for the November election, while having polling places open for those who prefer to vote in person

The League of Women Voters of Vermont supports every citizen’s right to vote in a safe and secure manner. We believe that requiring voters to come together in large numbers at polling places this summer is unwise and unnecessary.It is imperative that state election officials address voters’ and poll workers’ fears by limiting the need to cast an in-person ballot. 

The League of Women Voters of Vermont is committed to ensuring our elections remain safe and accessible for all and supports expansion of voting-by-mail to protect voters and election workers against the pandemic. Our top priority is the health and safety of Vermonters while simultaneously upholding the rights of all voters.

Fortunately, Vermont already has a safe and secure way to address this: we can simply expand our existing absentee voting system to include all voters. This would give everyone the choice between voting on Election Day in person at the polls, voting earlier at their Town Clerk’s office, or voting by mail.

Absentee Ballots

If you prefer to vote early or by mail, you can!  

You may request an early or absentee ballot by telephone, fax, email, mail, or in person from your Town Clerk or online at https://mvp.vermont.gov/ or by calling your Town Clerk. Requests can be made at any time until 5 p.m. or by the time of closing of the town clerk's office on the last day the clerk has regular hours before the election.

For the August 11 primary, absentee or mail-in ballots will be available June 29. 

For the November 3 general election, absentee or mail-in ballots will be available no later than September 21.

The League of Women Voters of Vermont strongly recommends that military or overseas voters request an early or absentee ballot at least 45 days prior to the election.