Burlington, Vermont, Question 2, Carbon Fee Measure (March 2023)

Burlington Question 2
Election date March 7, 2023
Topic Local environment
Status Approved
Type Referral

Burlington Question 2 was on the ballot as a referral in Burlington on March 7, 2023. It was approved.

A "yes" vote supported implementing a carbon pollution impact fee starting at $150 per ton for new construction buildings that install fossil fuel thermal energy systems, and for existing commercial and industrial buildings 50,000 square feet or larger when the building is installing fossil fuel thermal energy space conditioning or domestic water heating systems instead of using renewable systems.

A "no" vote opposed implementing a carbon pollution impact fee starting at $150 per ton for new construction buildings that install fossil fuel thermal energy systems, and for existing commercial and industrial buildings 50,000 square feet or larger when the building is installing fossil fuel thermal energy space conditioning or domestic water heating systems instead of using renewable systems.

Election results

Burlington Question 2
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		7,046	67.30%
No		3,424	32.70%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Question 2 was as follows:

“

“Shall the City Council, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the City, be authorized starting January 1, 2024, to implement a carbon pollution impact fee in the permitting process, with the fee to be set by resolution starting at up to $150 per ton and rising annually at the rate of regional inflation but capped at no more than a 5 percent annual increase, for: new construction buildings that install fossil fuel thermal energy systems instead of using renewable energy systems or renewable fuels, with the exception that the fee would not be implemented until January 1, 2026 for domestic water heating systems in new construction multi-family residential buildings with more than 4 units; and  for existing commercial and industrial buildings 50,000 square feet or larger when the building is installing fossil fuel thermal energy space conditioning or domestic water heating systems instead of using renewable systems or renewable fuels?" The fee proceeds could support one or more of the following: capital investments in converting the City’s vehicle fleet to electric vehicles; a new City fund to support clean heating technology installations for low-income Burlington households and renters; and/or in the case of existing building payors, greenhouse gas emissions reductions projects at their building or facilities in Burlington.

”

Full Text

The full text of this measure is available here.

Path to the ballot

This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the Burlington City Council.

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in Vermont

See below to learn more about current voter registration rules, identification requirements, and poll times in Vermont.

How to vote in Vermont

Poll times

In Vermont, all polls must open by 10 a.m. All polls close at 7 p.m. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.

Registration

Check your voter registration status here.

A United States citizen and state resident who is at least 18 years of age may register to vote in Vermont. The registrant must take the "Voter's Oath," which is included on the voter registration form.

According to the secretary of state's website, "Beginning January 1, 2017, eligible persons may register to vote on any day up to and including the day of the election. Registration is available during all normal business hours of your town or city clerk's office on days preceding the election and during polling hours on Election Day. "

Automatic registration

Vermont automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

Vermont has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

Vermont allows same-day voter registration.

Residency requirements

To register to vote in Vermont, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify a length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Vermont does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury.

As of November 2024, Burlington, Vermont had authorized noncitizen residents to vote in local board elections. Noncitizens must register to vote using a separate application from the state voter registration application.

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment. Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The My Voter Page, run by the Vermont Secretary of State office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Voter ID requirements

Vermont does not require voters to present identification while voting in most cases. However, first-time voters who registered by mail are required to present identification at the polls.

The following list of accepted ID was current as of April 2023. Click here for the Vermont Secretary of State's page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.

• Valid photo ID (driver’s license or passport)
• Current utility bill
• Current bank statement
• Another government document containing your residential address

See also

Local measures

• Local measures in 2023
• Local environment on the ballot

Vermont

• Vermont 2023 local measures
• Local ballot measures, Vermont
• Burlington, Vermont

News and analysis

• State and local preemption conflicts
• Measures advancing national agendas