Ballots for Vermont general election arrive later than planned

Her office is advising voters to return completed ballots to town clerks by Oct. 20.

Vermont voters should see their general election ballots by mid-October after printing trouble pushed mailing back about a week, Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas said.

The ballots were sent to registered voters on Wednesday, missing the deadline set by Vermont’s universal mail-in ballot law because of technical problems at the printing press during the last week of September. Copeland Hanzas said the state had not dealt with a delay of this kind before.

Her office is advising voters to return completed ballots to town clerks by Oct. 20. Ballots may also be dropped off in person or placed in a secure drop box.

In Putney, Town Clerk Jonathan Johnson said residents have been calling frequently to ask about the missing ballots, with many growing frustrated that they had not arrived on time. He said he has been fielding five to 10 calls a day.

Copeland Hanzas said the public attention shows people are engaged and paying close attention to the process. She added that, despite concerns and political rhetoric coming from the Oval Office, state officials have no indication the election will be disrupted.

Vermont began using universal mail-in voting in 2020 for the presidential election as a way to reduce Covid-19 transmission. That year brought record turnout, and about 75% of registered voters returned ballots by mail. Seven states and Washington D.C. now use the same system.

Copeland Hanzas said that, statewide, roughly two-thirds of ballots usually come back by mail. Johnson said Putney saw especially strong use of mail voting in the 2024 presidential election, when mailed ballots outnumbered in-person votes by two to one.

Johnson said the delay has annoyed some voters, but most understand the situation. He also said interest in the election is very high.

In an email sent Thursday afternoon, Johnson said ballots had gone out for delivery that day and that nearly a dozen had arrived within three hours.

Voters can check ballot delivery status online. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3.