Vermont Primary Election 2024: What to know about early voting

The Aug. 13 statewide major party primary is less than a month away and early voting is already underway.

In this election, Republican, Democratic and Progressive contenders will vie for their party’s nominations in the following races: U.S senator, U.S representative, governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, secretary of state, auditor of accounts, attorney general, the state Senate (30 seats), state Representative (150 seats) and high bailiff (14 seats).

Primary winners face off against each other and minor party candidates in the Nov. 5 general election.

For Vermonters interested in casting your ballot prior to election day, below is a complete guide to early and absentee voting.

What do I need to know about early and absentee voting?

Any registered voter may request an absentee or early ballot via mail, phone, online or in person. Family members and healthcare providers are also allowed to advocate for a voter to receive an absentee ballot.

Voters can request and track the status of an early voter absentee ballot online by logging into their My Voter Page at https://mvp.vermont.gov/. Ballots can be returned through the mail or in person, unless delivered by justices of the peace on the day of the election, who will bring the ballot back with them.

Absentee or early ballots are available no later than 45 days prior to the primary or general election and 20 days before a municipal election using secret ballots.

For more information about absentee or early voting, visit the Absentee Voting FAQs page or Early & Absentee Voting page. Voters can also contact the Elections Division at sos.elections@vermont.gov or 800-439-VOTE.

You can find your city or town clerk at https://outside.vermont.gov/dept/sos/Elections%20Division/voters/townclerkguide.pdf, from whom you can request a ballot, on the Secretary of State website.

The deadline to request early or absentee ballots is 5 p.m. the day before any election, or whenever your town clerk’s office closes that day.

Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com.