Survivors Voting Guide
table of contents
Every election is a chance to help shape the Vermont you want to live in and the future you want to see. From housing and health care to public safety and violence prevention, the people we elect make decisions that touch our daily lives – and the lives of survivors across our state.
Your voice matters. Your vote matters. When #SurvivorsVote, we help build a safer, stronger, violence-free Vermont.
This guide explains how to register to vote, cast your ballot, participate in Vermont’s elections, use the Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program, and make informed decisions before you vote.
This edition focuses on the Primary Election (August 11) and will be updated with General Election (November 3) information after the Primary.
See you at the polls!
Important Dates
Primary Election – Tuesday, August 11
The Primary Election determines which candidates from each political party will appear on the ballot in the November General Election.
Vermont has an open primary system, so voters do not enroll in a political party. When you vote in the Primary Election, you choose which party’s ballot you want to vote. You may vote in only one party’s primary.
General Election – Tuesday, November 3
The General Election is when voters choose among candidates from all political parties for offices at every level of government, from local offices to U.S. Congress. The candidates who win in the November General Election will serve as elected officials.
register to vote
register before Election Day
To vote in Vermont’s Primary Election on August 11, you must be a registered voter. The good news is that Vermont allows eligible residents to register up to and including Election Day.
Before Election Day, you can register:
Register to Vote on Election Day
On Election Day, you can register to vote at your polling location. At that time, you must provide either the last four digits of your social security number or driver’s license number.
If you are unsure whether you’re registered to vote in Vermont, you can check your registration status here.
If you do not have a permanent address, you can register to vote in the city or town you consider your principal dwelling place.
Register to Vote and Keep Your Address Confidential
If you are a survivor and want to keep your address private while voting, the Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program can help.
When you register to vote in Vermont, your name and voter registration address are included on your town or city’s voter checklist, which is a public record.
Safe at Home provides participants with a substitute address to use for voter registration, receiving mail, and more. They securely forward mail and packages to your confidential address, to protect your safety and privacy.
Safe at Home participants are encouraged to vote by mail. If you are enrolling in the program for the first time, plan to apply online or by mail at least two to three weeks before Election Day to ensure there is enough time to process your application and receive your ballot.
To learn more about eligibility, how the program works, and apply, visit the Safe at Home website.
Voting Logistics for the primary election
Voting Early by Mail in the Primary
Early voting begins 45 days before each election (June 27, 2026) and ends the day before Election Day (August 10, 2026).
To vote early by mail in the Primary Election, you must request an absentee ballot online, by mail, or in person through your Town Clerk’s Office. Requests for absentee ballots must be received by 5:00 pm or by the close of your Town Clerk’s Office on the day before the election.
If you plan to return your ballot by mail, send it two to three weeks before Election Day to help ensure it arrives in time to be counted. You can confirm your mail-in ballot was received by checking your ballot status online.
You may also return your completed ballot to your polling location before polls close on Election Day.
Voting Early in Person in the Primary
You may vote early in person at your Town Clerk’s Office until the day before Election Day (August 10, 2026). You can find the address, open hours, and contact information for your Town Clerk’s Office here.
Voting on Primary Election Day – August 11th
You may vote in person at your assigned polling place on Election Day. Polling places open between 5:00 am and 10:00 am, depending on the municipality, and all polls close at 7:00 pm.
You can find your polling place and open hours online or by viewing the statewide list of polling locations.
who’s on the ballot?
Get to Know Candidates
Learning about the candidates and the offices they seek helps you understand how decisions are made, what issues each office can influence, and decide which candidates best reflect the future you want to see.
You don’t need to be an expert on every issue or office. Learning a little about candidates in advance can make a big impact on voting day. Here are a few ways to get started:
- Visit candidates’ websites and read their public statements.
- Attend candidate forums, debates, or community events.
- Talk with friends, neighbors, and trusted organizations about the issues that matter most to you.
- Review a sample ballot and learn about the responsibilities of each office.
Ask Candidates a Question
Candidates want to hear from and connect with you. Asking them a question can help you learn about them and ensure your priorities are heard.
Whether you meet them at a forum, email them, or ask a question on social media, here are a few ideas to get the conversation started:
- Survivors of domestic and sexual violence often face significant barriers to safety and healing. What role should state government play in supporting survivors and preventing violence?
- Economic insecurity can make it difficult for survivors to seek safety. How would you address barriers to survivors’ financial stability and independence?
- Vermont Network member programs provide lifesaving, 24/7 services for survivors across the state. How would you support these programs and the people they serve?
- What do you see as the greatest opportunities to strengthen Vermont’s response to domestic and sexual violence over the next two years?
- What investments do you believe are most important to prevent domestic and sexual violence before it starts?
What Different Candidate Positions Do
Every office on your ballot has different duties, and each plays a different role in shaping the systems survivors rely on. Understanding what each office does can help you ask questions, choose your candidates, and cast an informed vote.
Before you vote, take a few minutes to review your ballot online and see what offices are up for election. Here are some key offices you will see:
Representatives in U.S. Congress write and vote on federal laws and budgets that affect housing, health care, victim services, economic security, public safety, and violence prevention. Their decisions determine many of the federal resources that support survivors and Vermont communities, including the majority of funding for domestic and sexual violence services.
The Governor leads Vermont’s executive branch, proposes the state budget, signs or vetoes legislation, appoints agency leaders and judges, and oversees state government. The Governor helps set statewide priorities that influence funding and policies affecting survivors’ safety, housing, health care, and access to services.
The Lieutenant Governor presides over the Vermont Senate and casts the deciding vote in the event of a tie. They also assume the Governor’s duties when necessary and often use their platform to advocate for legislation and policy priorities.
The Attorney General is Vermont’s chief legal counsel, representing the state in civil and criminal matters. The office also leads work on issues such as civil rights, consumer protection, firearms, cybercrime, and other legal that impact survivors.
State Senators or Representatives write, debate, and pass Vermont’s laws and state budget. They also provide oversight over the executive branch and confirm certain appointments made by the Governor, including judges. Their decisions shape nearly every area of public policy – from criminal law to workplace protections.
State’s Attorneys are the elected chief prosecutors for each of Vermont’s counties. They decide whether and how to prosecute criminal cases, including those involving domestic and sexual violence. Their decisions can significantly influence experiences of survivors who engage with the criminal legal system and the outcomes of criminal cases.
Sheriffs are elected county law enforcement officers. Depending on the county, they may provide policing services through contracts, transport individuals in custody, and serve civil process, including some relief from abuse orders.