Vermont State Primary 2024: Your voters' guide for the Aug. 13 election

In less than a month, Vermonters return to the polls to select their major party candidates for the November ballot in the statewide primary on Tuesday, Aug. 13.

Republican, Democratic and Progressive contenders will vie for their party's nominations in the following races: U.S senator, U.S representative , governor , lieutenant governor, treasurer, secretary of state, auditor of accounts, attorney general, the state Senate (30 seats), state Representative (150 seats) and high bailiff (14 seats).

Primary winners face off against each other and minor party candidates in the Nov. 5 general election.

Below is what you need to know about casting ballots in Vermont elections.

How to register to vote in Vermont

According to the Vermont Secretary of State's Office , you must meet four requirements to register to vote in most towns in the Green Mountain State: be a U.S citizen, live in Vermont and the town in which you're registering to vote, take the Voter's Oath and be 18 or older. Individuals who will turn 18 by the next election can register to vote before the registration deadline.

Some cities and towns are outliers. Three towns in Vermont allow legal non-citizens to vote in municipal and school board elections, including Burlington, Winooski and Montpelier. Additionally, Brattleboro allows people ages 16 and up to vote in local elections.

Eligible Vermonters can register to vote online , through the mail and in-person at the clerk's office in the town in which they live or at polling stations on an election day, according to the Vermont Secretary of State's Office. Qualified citizens can register to vote any day of the year, including election day. To register, eligible residents must provide a valid form of ID, such as a driver's license, passport, current utility bill, current bank statement or some other government document.

As Vermont has no party registration, registered voters can choose to vote in any party's presidential primary election. However, voters can vote in only one primary in each election cycle.

Unsure if you're registered to vote? Check your voter registration status at https://mvp.vermont.gov/ .

How to vote in Vermont

Early voting

Vermonters can vote as early as 45 days or six weeks before the primary or general election at the town clerk's office, according to the Vermont Secretary of State website. All registered voters are allowed to request to cast their ballots early, with the request deadline being 5 p.m. (or whenever the town clerk's office closes) the day before the election.

Early voting for the August primary is already underway.

Request a mail-in/absentee ballot

Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot. The deadline to request a ballot − whether via mail, phone, online or in-person − is 5 p.m. (or whenever the town clerk's office closes) the day before the election. Family members and healthcare providers are allowed to advocate for a voter to receive an absentee ballot.

Voters can request an absentee ballot online at https://mvp.vermont.gov/ .

For more information about absentee or early voting, contact the Elections Division at sos.elections@vermont.gov or 800-439-VOTE.

Deadline to return your completed ballot

If you plan to mail-in or drop off your early or absentee ballot, your local polling station must receive it before 7 p.m. on election day.

Ballot drop box locations for 2024 will be found in the voter resources tab on the Vermont Secretary of State webpage at https://sos.vermont.gov/elections/voters/ .

Voting in-person on Election Day

In Vermont, all polls open between 6-10 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Only first-time voters who registered by mail or online must show their ID to vote in Vermont. Voters who registered when they renewed their driver's license or during a voter registration drive are not required to bring their ID.

Visit the Vermont Secretary of State website or contact your town or city clerk to find your local polling place , check on your registration status or verify your voter mailing address.

For Burlington voters in Ward 2, your polling location has temporarily changed from the Integrated Arts Academy to the O.N.E Community Center.

Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont State Primary 2024: Your voters' guide for the Aug. 13 election