WHAT IS TOWN MEETING DAY?
In Vermont, Town Meeting Day is a big deal. Towns and cities vote on very local issues, like who's on the Selectboard or City Council and how money is spent on schools or the town. Voting in these smaller local elections can have a big impact on your day-to-day life.
It's also a presidential election year. So you get to pick if you want to vote in the Republican or Democratic Primary (but not both).
MAKE YOUR VOTING PLAN
The Vermont Secretary of State's office has a lot of helpful information for voters. Let's break it down:
Register to vote
Make sure you are registered to vote. You can register the same day that you vote.
Login to your MyVoterPage or contact your town clerk. You can register, check your voting status, or update your information.
You can also register at the polls.
Find your polling place
Your town website or clerk's office should have its polling place listed. This information should also be on your MyVoterPage.
Learn more about "voting from the floor" and "Australian Ballot" voting on page 6 of the Citizen's Guide to Vermont Town Meeting
Look at your ballot
Your MyVoterPage or town clerk should be able to provide you with a "sample ballot." This will list everything that'll be on the actual ballot when you vote.
Sample ballots are posted outside polling places.
You'll see candidates for local offices, like town selectboard or the school board. You may also see votes on budgets or local initiatives.
Examine issues and candidates
Read your local newspaper and keep an eye out for events like meetups or forums where people discuss issues and candidates.
Watch interviews and forums on local television.
Read the 2024 town meeting report from Rep. Mike McCarthy (D-St. Albans)
Make your plan
After learning about the people running and learning how your town meeting works, pick a date, time, and place to vote.
This can be by mail or in-person. If you received a mailed ballot, please deliver it to your Town Clerk's office before election day or bring it to the polls before 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5th.
Get some friends to vote with you!