Vermont 2023 local ballot measures

Vermont Local Ballot Measures
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Ballotpedia covered 22 local ballot measures in Vermont for voters in two cities on one election date.

In 2023, Ballotpedia covered local ballot measures that appeared on the ballot for voters within the 100 largest cities in the U.S., within state capitals, and throughout California. You can review the coverage scope of the local ballot measures project here. In 2023, the project's scope includes Burlington.

Ballotpedia covered a selection of election-related, such as electoral systems like ranked-choice voting, and policing-related ballot measures outside of the largest cities.

See also: Local ballot measure elections in 2023

March 7

Ballotpedia covered 22 local ballot measures in Vermont for voters in two cities on March 7, 2023.

Chittenden County

See also: Chittenden County, Vermont ballot measures

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

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.

• Burlington, Vermont, Question 3, City Election Areas Amendment (March 2023):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported this charter amendment to change city election boundaries.

A "no" vote opposed this charter amendment to change city election boundaries.

• Burlington, Vermont, Question 4, Noncitizen Voting Amendment (March 2023):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported this charter amendment to allow non-citizens who are legal residents to vote in municipal and school board elections.

A "no" vote opposed this charter amendment to allow non-citizens who are legal residents to vote in municipal and school board elections.

• Burlington, Vermont, Question 5, Qualification of Voters Amendment (March 2023):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported this charter amendment to require voters to be resident of a ward or city district if casting a ballot for certain local officers or local public questions, and to provide that the City Council determines the number and location of polling places in each ward.

A "no" vote opposed this charter amendment to require voters to be resident of a ward or city district if casting a ballot for certain local officers or local public questions, and to provide that the City Council determines the number and location of polling places in each ward.

• Burlington, Vermont, Question 6, Ranked-Choice Voting for Mayor, School Commissioner, and Ward Election Officer Amendment (March 2023):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported the charter amendment which provides that a ranked choice voting system should be used for elections for mayor, school commissioners, and ward election officers.

A "no" vote opposed the charter amendment which provides that a ranked choice voting system should be used for elections for mayor, school commissioners, and ward election officers.

• Burlington, Vermont, Question 7, Establish Police Oversight Board Initiative (March 2023):  ✖

A "yes" vote supported establishing an independent board to investigate, hear complaints, and impose discipline regarding a police officer's actions or inactions.

A "no" vote opposed establishing an independent board to investigate, hear complaints, and impose discipline regarding a police officer's actions or inactions.

• Burlington, Vermont, Question 8, Initiative and Referendum Measure (March 2023):  ✖

A "yes" vote supported providing citizens the ability to initiate ballot questions, propose enactment and repeal of ordinances by majority vote.

A "no" vote opposed providing citizens the ability to initiate ballot questions, propose enactment and repeal of ordinances by majority vote.

Washington County

See also: Washington County, Vermont ballot measures

• Central Vermont Public Safety Authority District, Vermont, Article 6, Dissolve the Central Vermont Public Safety Authority Measure (March 2023):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported dissolving the Central Vermont Public Safety Authority.

A "no" vote opposed dissolving the Central Vermont Public Safety Authority.

• Montpelier, Vermont, Article 5, Central Vermont Public Safety Authority Withdrawal Measure (March 2023):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported withdrawing Montpelier from the Central Vermont Public Safety Authority.

A "no" vote opposed withdrawing Montpelier from the Central Vermont Public Safety Authority.

• Montpelier, Vermont, Article 7, Payment of Debts and Current Expenses Measure (March 2023):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported spending $11,495,881 for the payment of debts, expenses, and taxes in the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

A "no" vote opposed spending $11,495,881 for the payment of debts, expenses, and taxes in the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

• Montpelier, Vermont, Article 10, Mayor Compensation Measure (March 2023):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported paying $4,080 to the mayor for services in the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

A "no" vote opposes paying $4,080 to the mayor for services in the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

• Montpelier, Vermont, Article 11, Council Member Compensation Measure (March 2023):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported paying $12,240 ($2,040 each) to the City Council for services in the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

A "no" vote opposed paying $12,240 ($2,040 each) to the City Council for services in the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

• Montpelier, Vermont, Article 14, Amending Highway, Park, and Infrastructure Bond Measure (March 2023):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported amending an authorization of $1,815,000 for highway, recreation park and building infrastructure improvements to include funding for: a renewable heating system and other energy-efficiency projects at the Public Works Garage; new streetlights, traffic lights, and intersection improvements; a retaining wall on Marvin Street; various highway, infrastructure projects; and Confluence River Park project.

A "no" vote opposed amending an authorization of $1,815,000 for highway, recreation park and building infrastructure improvements to include funding for: a renewable heating system and other energy-efficiency projects at the Public Works Garage; new streetlights, traffic lights, and intersection improvements; a retaining wall on Marvin Street; various highway, infrastructure projects; and Confluence River Park project.

• Montpelier, Vermont, Article 15, Amending Water Resource Recovery Facility Bond Measure (March 2023):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported amending an authorization provided to the City Council on March 1, 2022 to add a term of 30 years to a $16,400,000 bond for various sewer treatment systems.

A "no" vote opposed amending an authorization provided to the City Council on March 1, 2022 to add a term of 30 years to a $16,400,000 bond for various sewer treatment systems.

• Montpelier, Vermont, Article 16, Amending East State Street Reconstruction Bond Measure (March 2023):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported adding a 30 year term to an authorization provided to the City Council on March 1, 2022 to borrow $7,200,000 for the reconstruction of East State Street.

A "no" vote opposed adding a 30 year term to an authorization provided to the City Council on March 1, 2022 to borrow $7,200,000 for the reconstruction of East State Street.

• Montpelier, Vermont, Article 17, Downtown Non-Residential Property Tax Levy Measure (March 2023):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported authorizing the city to levy a tax of $51.50 per $100,000 of appraisal value on non-residential properties within Montpelier’s Designated Downtown to fund downtown streetscaping and marketing.

A "no" vote opposed authorizing the city to levy a tax of $51.50 per $100,000 of appraisal value on non-residential properties within Montpelier’s Designated Downtown to fund downtown streetscaping and marketing.

• Montpelier, Vermont, Article 18, Kellogg-Hubbard Library Appropriation Measure (March 2023):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported spending $411,774 for the Kellogg-Hubbard Library for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

A "no" vote opposed spending $411,774 for the Kellogg-Hubbard Library for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

• Montpelier, Vermont, Article 19, Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice Expenditures Measure (March 2023):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported spending $23,500 for the Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice

A "no" vote opposed spending $23,500 for the Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice.

• Montpelier Roxbury School District, Vermont, Article 8, School District Budget Measure (March 2023):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported adopting an annual budget for the Montpelier Roxbury School District of $28,608,500 for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, amounting to an estimated $19,670.59 per equalized pupil.

A "no" vote opposed adopting an annual budget for the Montpelier Roxbury School District of $28,608,500 for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, amounting to an estimated $19,670.59 per equalized pupil.

• Montpelier Roxbury School District, Vermont, Article 9, School District Appropriation Measure (March 2023):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported spending $270,000 to supplement the Capital Reserve Fund.

A "no" vote opposed spending $270,000 to supplement the Capital Reserve Fund.

• Montpelier Roxbury School District, Vermont, Article 12, School Director Compensation Measure (March 2023):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported paying $9,700 (Chair $1,500; Vice Chair $1,200; others $1,000 each) to the school directors for services in the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

A "no" vote opposed paying $9,700 (Chair $1,500; Vice Chair $1,200; others $1,000 each) to the school directors for services in the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

• Montpelier Roxbury School District, Vermont, Article 13, School District Reserve Fund Measure Measure (March 2023):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported authorizing the Board of School Directors to hold any audited fund balance in a reserve fund for the purpose of operating the school.

A "no" vote opposed authorizing the Board of School Directors to hold any audited fund balance in a reserve fund for the purpose of operating the school.

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 ballot measure elections in 2023
• City budget on the ballot
• City bonds on the ballot
• Salaries of local officials on the ballot