Vermont’s general election will be held on November 8, 2022; however, many voters will cast their ballots prior to the election through absentee and mail-in ballots. For many students, this may be their first time being eligible to vote or their first time voting in the State of Vermont. This article serves to provide information that answers any questions that may arise as the election nears.
Vermont’s general election will be held on November 8, 2022; however, many voters will cast their ballots prior to the election through absentee and mail-in ballots. For many students, this may be their first time being eligible to vote or their first time voting in the State of Vermont. This article serves to provide information that answers any questions that may arise as the election nears.
How do you vote in Vermont?
According to the Vermont Secretary of State, all mail-in ballots should have been received by voters by October 10th. The Secretary of State’s office advises anyone voting by mail to send their ballots in by October 31st to ensure it arrives in time to be counted. The deadline for mail-in ballots and in-person voting is November 8th. For absentee ballots, the deadline is November 7th.
To cast your vote in Lyndon, show up at Lyndon Municipal Office’s gymnasium at 119 Park Avenue. The polls open at 8:00 am and close at 7:00 pm. You can visit the Vermont Secretary of State’s website to locate the other polling places around the state.
If you aren’t registered to vote yet, it’s not too late. The deadline to register to vote in person is November 8th. That’s right; you can register on the day of the election, but it is recommended you register before. However, if you plan to cast an absentee or mail-in ballot, you need to register a few weeks prior to ensure your ballot makes it to the town clerk on time. You can also register to vote online, but the last day to do so is November 4 to ensure your application can be processed before election day.
Out-of-state college students are considered to have dual residency. This means that an out-of-state student can register to vote in Vermont or their home state. However, you cannot register in two states at the same time. Students who receive a scholarship or grant based on residency are advised to register in the state they receive that aid from so that they do not lose their qualifying resident status.
Who and what is on the ballot this year?
The Vermont ballot will include elections for the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, secretary of state, auditor of accounts, attorney general, all state senate seats, all state representative seats, probate judge, assistant judge, state’s attorney, sheriff, high bailiff, and two amendments to the Vermont State constitution. That is a lot of positions and people to take into consideration, so here is a breakdown of some of the names that will appear on Lyndon residents’ ballots.
Incumbent Senator Patrick Leahy (D) has been serving in the Senate since 1974 but is not seeking reelection this fall. His seat in the U.S Senate is up for election with candidates Peter Welch (D) of Norwich, currently Vermont’s sole congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives, and Gerald Malloy (R) of Weathersfield vying for the position. This is Vermont’s first open senate election since 2006. With Welch running for a seat in the U.S. Senate, all eyes are on Senate president pro tempore Becca Balint (D) of Brattleboro and Liam Madden (R) of Rockingham for the Representative seat.
The candidates for the gubernatorial or governor race include incumbent Governor Phil Scott (R) of Berlin who is running for reelection and Brenda Siegal (D/P) of Newfane. If Siegal wins, she would be the second female governor of Vermont.
The winner of that race will work closely with a new lieutenant governor, as current Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray pursued a Democratic candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives but lost in the primaries to Balint. Former lieutenant governor David Zuckerman (P/D) of Hinesburg, Caledonia State Senator Joe Benning (R) of Lyndon, and Ian G. Diamondstone (GM) of Putney are listed on this year’s ballot.
Due to the redistricting of Senate and House Districts in the State, Lyndon now falls in the Essex Senate District rather than the Caledonia Senate District. Only one candidate is on the ballot for the sole senate seat–incumbent Senator Russ Ingalls of Newport, who has received the nomination of both the Democratic Party and Republican Party.
There are two seats in the State House of Representatives in the Caledonia-3 House District to represent Lyndon, however. Two democrats and one republican are listed on the ballot, guaranteeing at least one democrat will go to Montpelier. Those looking to represent the district include Eileen Boland (D) of Wheelock, Dennis Labounty (D) of Lyndon, and Charles Wilson (R) of Lyndon.
For residents of Caledonia County, the following local elections will also be included on your ballot: Caledonia probate judge candidates William W. Cobb (D) of Lyndon and Annette Lorraine (I) of Peacham; Caledonia assistant judge candidates John S. Hall (I) of Danville and Merle L. Haskins (I) of St. Johnsbury; Caledonia state’s attorney candidate Jessica E. Zaleski (R/D) of Waterford; Caledonia sheriff candidates James Hemond (R) of Waterford and Joel M. Pierce (I) of Danville; and Caledonia high bailiff candidate Robert Gerrish (R) of Lyndon.
There are two amendments on the ballot for Vermont voters to ratify or decline. The Reproductive Liberty Amendment is one of two abortion rights constitutional amendments in the entire country. To learn more about Proposal 5 and how it protects reproductive liberty, read some more information at this link.
The other amendment on the ballot is the Vermont Prohibiting Slavery and Indentured Servitude Amendment or Proposal 2, which seeks to change the language of article one of the Vermont State Constitution. Vermont was the first state to prohibit slavery in its state constitution but there is still language in the constitution giving exceptions. This amendment will eliminate said language and add “slavery and indentured servitude in any form are prohibited.”
According to the U.S Census Bureau, the age group with the least voter turnout is 18 to 24-year-olds. The majority of college students fall into this demographic. Whether you vote in Vermont or your home state, remember to cast your ballot this November.