Voter guide to Vermont’s 2026 general election

Vermont voters will take part in the state’s 2026 general election. A complete voting plan should cover four basics: when to vote, what will appear on the ballot, whether registration is current and how the voter intends to cast a ballot.

The guide is not centered on a single race or candidate. Voters should review their full ballot before making decisions and use official election instructions when preparing to vote.

Key dates to confirm

Start with the election date, then work backward. Important dates may include a registration deadline, any period for voting before Election Day, a deadline to request a ballot for voting away from a polling place and the time by which that ballot must be returned.

Voters planning to cast a ballot in person should also confirm polling-place hours. Anyone using another voting option should check each step separately, including the request, receipt and return of a ballot.

Deadlines are not interchangeable. A request deadline, for example, is different from a return deadline. Voters should use the final official election calendar rather than relying on a date remembered from an earlier election.

A useful checklist includes:

• The date of the general election
• Any applicable registration deadline
• The opening and closing dates for voting before Election Day
• Any ballot-request deadline
• The ballot-return deadline and required return method
• Polling-place hours on Election Day

What will be on the ballot

Read the ballot from beginning to end. The 2026 general election guide is not tied to one contest, and voters should not assume that a prominent race is the only decision before them.

If an official sample ballot is published, use it to identify each listed office, candidate and ballot question before voting. A sample ballot can also help voters recognize the ballot’s layout and prepare questions in advance. The ballot used to vote remains the controlling document.

When researching choices, separate information about a candidate’s record or position from campaign advertising and personal commentary. For ballot questions, read the actual wording carefully. The title or a short description may not communicate every part of a proposal.

Voters do not need to make every decision at once. They can review the ballot in order, note which items require more research and return to those items before voting.

Registration checklist

Before voting, confirm that the name and address on the voter record are current. People who need to register, have moved or have changed their name should review the applicable instructions and timing before the election.

Do not assume that registration from a past election automatically answers every current question. Checking early leaves time to address a spelling error, outdated address or other issue before casting a ballot.

Voters should also confirm whether any identification or documentation is required for registration or voting. Follow the instructions for the voter’s own circumstances rather than relying on another person’s experience.

Make a voting plan

Choose how and when to vote, then verify the rules for that method. A person voting in person should confirm the correct polling place, its hours and what to bring. A person planning to vote before Election Day or away from a polling place should confirm the request and return procedures, along with every applicable deadline.

Build in extra time. Mail delivery, travel, work, caregiving and other scheduling issues can affect a voting plan. After completing a ballot outside a polling place, follow all instructions for marking, signing, sealing and returning it.

Before Election Day, write down the essential details: the voting location or return method, the deadline, required documents and a backup plan. Recheck official election information close to the election in case instructions or locations have changed.